FERC selects acting chairman; Wellinghoff resigns

US President Barack Obama has selected Cheryl A. LaFleur as acting chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Jon Wellinghoff, the longest-serving FERC chairman, resigned on Nov. 24. Wellinghoff, who was appointed FERC chairman in 2009 (OGJ Online, Mar. 27, 2009), announced in May his intention to step down.

LaFleur joined FERC in July 2010, turning her attention to strengthening reliability and grid security, promoting regional transmission planning, and supporting a clean and diverse power supply, FERC said.

LaFleur serves as FERC liaison to the Department of Energy’s Electricity Advisory Committee and a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Committees on Electricity and Critical Infrastructure. She also has co-chaired the FERC/NARUC Forum on Reliability and the Environment.

LaFleur mentioned tasks the FERC will take on include implementing Order No. 1000 and setting transmission rates.