Allison Clements, a Democratic appointee, will not seek another term at the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Clements’ term expires June 30, 2024, but she could remain at FERC until the end of this Congressional session, which is expected to end Jan. 3, 2025.
If Clements opts to leave before another commissioner is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, FERC would be left without a quorum. The five-member commission currently has two commissioners and a chairman.
FERC had no comment on whether Clements would stay beyond her term. Politico first reported Clement’s departure Friday.
Acting Chairman Willie Phillips, also a Democrat, was officially named chairman Feb. 8 (OGJ Online, Feb. 9, 2024).
FERC reviews and determines whether to approve new natural gas pipelines and LNG plants. It also has been working on a soon-to-be-released revamp of rules for building a new, cleaner electricity transmission grid – a project championed by Clements. She is considered the most progressive member of the current commission.
The White House had no comment on when President Joe Biden would make additional FERC nominations. Any nomination must appeal to Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee responsible for vetting FERC nominees. Manchin opposed former FERC Chairman Richard Glick’s efforts to consider climate change when accessing natural gas pipeline projects, leading to his departure at end-2022.
Clements joined FERC in December 2020 (OGJ Online, Dec. 1, 2020).
