President Clinton has nominated four persons for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and named Commissioner Elizabeth Moler permanent chairman of the U.S. agency.
For the first time in many years, FERC will not have a member closely acquainted with oil and gas production.
Moler, the only commissioner remaining from President Bush's Republican administration, has been acting chairman since last Feb. 5. She was senior counsel to the Senate energy committee before joining FERC in 1988.
THE NOMINEES
Nominated for the five seat commission were Vicky Bailey, James Hoecker, William Massey, and Donald Santa Jr. All are subject to Senate confirmation.
Massey, who served on the Clinton administration's Department of Energy transition team, is an attorney with the Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard law firm. The Arkansas native will serve a term that will end Oct. 20 and a new 5 year term that will end June 30, 1998.
Hoecker, an attorney with the Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue law firm, was a FERC lawyer during 1979-88, acting for a time as assistant general counsel for oil and gas litigation. He will serve a term that ends June 30, 1995.
Bailey, a member of the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, serves on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners executive committee. Her term will end June 30, 1996.
Santa has been an attorney with the Senate energy committee since 1989. His term will expire June 30, 1997.
Clinton said "I have called for a sensible, comprehensive energy policy that serves our future energy needs, protects our precious environment, and helps build a growing economy. This experienced and talented group of commissioners will help to meet those goals."
Molder said, "I have served on this commission 4 1/2 years. I have never been busier or more challenged than I have been in the past 2 months while serving as the chair in an interim capacity. We have a lot to do.
"We are in the midst of implementing Order 636 by acting on individual pipeline compliance filings. Those compliance filings will continue to be our top natural gas priority."
WHAT INDUSTRY THINKS
Nicholas Bush, Natural Gas Supply Association president, said, "Changing the composition of virtually the entire commission during the implementation of Order 636 is a difficult challenge.
"All segments of the natural gas industry agree that timely implementation of Order 636 is important to continued growth of our industry. It will help us better respond to markets and help the nation increase its use of domestic, clean burning natural gas.
"The individuals nominated by the president to take on this challenge are capable and experienced."
Mike Baly, American Gas Association president, said the new commissioners "will serve the public rather than any specific interests. The new commission will have the consumer in mind."
He said, "We are particularly pleased that Betsy Moler has been nominated as commission chair. Her experience at the commission and many years as a congressional staffer will provide FERC much needed expertise and leadership as it continues the restructuring of the natural gas industry."
The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America said, "We appreciate Moler's commitment to keeping the Order 636 process on track and on schedule."
Denise Bode, Independent Petroleum Association of America president, said, "Betsy Moler will do a good job and have an open mind. That's about all you can ask for in this business."
Bode also said although there is no commissioner representing the producing industry "that won't be something to prevent us from meeting with all the commissioners and making our case."
She said the appointees reflect the fact that Order 636 is largely finished and "FERC's focus will be on electrical power matters and other nongas issues."
Copyright 1993 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.
