FERC has two empty slots now with Moler moving to DOE post

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is facing two vacancies with the impending departures of Chairman Elizabeth Moler and Commissioner Donald Santa. Moler has been nominated to become deputy Energy Secretary, replacing Charles Curtis, who is resigning. Santa said he would not seek a second term when his current appointment expires at the end of June, but he expects to remain in the energy field.

April 21, 1997

2 min read

Betsy Moler is expected to take the DOE point on electricity deregulation issues.

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is facing two vacancies with the impending departures of Chairman Elizabeth Moler and Commissioner Donald Santa.

Moler has been nominated to become deputy Energy Secretary, replacing Charles Curtis, who is resigning.

Santa said he would not seek a second term when his current appointment expires at the end of June, but he expects to remain in the energy field.

The vacancies at FERC will come at a key time. The commission has scheduled hearings late next month to explore what it should do to improve the free market operation of the gas pipeline industry.

The Senate energy committee has not scheduled a confirmation hearing for Moler, but her approval should be pro forma.

Moler was senior counsel for the committee before she was named a FERC commissioner in 1988.

Energy Sec. Federico Peña said Curtis "has had a lasting impact on our nation's energy and national security policies" since he took the deputy secretary post in 1995. Curtis also was FERC chairman during the Carter administration.

Moler's role

Peña said Moler is well-experienced in utilities issues and "will be a tremendous resource to help determine how our nation faces some of the most fundamental changes in how electricity is delivered to homes, communities, and businesses."

Moler, who will act as chief operating officer at DOE, had been considered for the job of Energy Secretary last December, but President Clinton selected Peña instead (OGJ, Dec. 30, 1996, p. 32).

Gas industry lobbyists predicted President Clinton might name one of the three remaining commissioners, Vicky Bailey, Bill Massey, or James Hoecker, to fill the chairman's slot.

They said the American Gas Association might consider Santa or Curtis to succeed AGA President Mike Baly, who has resigned.