Senate Approves FERC Nominees

• FERC: Senate Approves LaFleur and Bay for FERC posts; Energy & Water Funding Bill includes Rider to Stop NYISO Capacity Zone; FERC Should Re-hear NE Transmission Case
• Finance: Not for Profits File Comments on CFTC "de minimis" threshold 
• Grid Security: Feinstein Cyber Bill Passes Intelligence Committee; Trade Associations hold Hill Briefing on Grid Security
• FCC: TN Muni Petitions FCC to Preempt State Laws that Limit Broadband Competition
• EPA: Senate & House Hearings on GHG Rules; Hearings Look at Impact on Cost, Reliability 

On July 15, the Senate approved Norman Bay by a vote of 52-45, and Cheryl LaFleur by a vote of 90-7, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Under an agreement struck with the White House, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Chair Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), LaFleur will be named Chair – with full powers – for nine-months.  Bay will then be appointed Chair in April 2015.  

LaFleur’s second five-year term will expire on June 30, 2019.  Bay’s term will end on June 30, 2018, given that he is filling the seat occupied by former Chair Jon Wellinghoff.  Both are Democrats.   With the confirmation of LaFleur and Bay, FERC has a full five member panel, with two Republicans – Phil Moeller and Tony Clark, and Democrat John Norris. 

LaFleur told reporters she plans to serve out her new five-year term even after she relinquishes the chairmanship next year. "My understanding [is] that I’ll be leading the commission for the next nine months, with full authority," she said after the agency’s monthly meeting. 

To read the complete legislative update including the following topics, click the links below: