Key US senator concerned about FERC vacancies

OREANDA-NEWS. March 01, 2016. US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is concerned about looming vacancies on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The independent commission since October 2015 has operated at less than full membership of four. The commission's only remaining Republican member, Tony Clark, plans to step down soon after his term expires on 30 June. The commission's normal complement is five members.

"This is a big issue and I am worried," Murkowski told Argus today on the sidelines of the IHS CeraWeek conference in Houston. Murkowski said she was looking for potential commissioners and wished she had a candidate willing to come forward.

FERC regulates interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil and reviews proposals to build LNG terminals. FERC commissioners serve for five years. The White House nominates all members for approval by the Senate, but only three can represent the president's party. Clark's departure will leave only Democrats on the commission.

Given the importance of FERC, "it is important that we have a full complement," Murkowski said. "We are concerned that FERC will be down to three commissioners and the desire will be to find good people to serve in that capacity."

Identifying a candidate for nomination is particularly challenging as the term of President Barack Obama enters its final year, Murkowski said. "It is not something you are looking to fill the seat for seven or eight months."

Murkowski's attention for now is focused on moving forward the comprehensive energy bill, which stalled after Democratic lawmakers insisted it should include a \\$600mn aid package to help Flint, Michigan, address water contamination.

"We have been working to put together a consent package outlining the amendments that we are poised to take up," Murkowski said at the conference.

The package will address US-wide water infrastructure problems, she said. "My hope is to get to it as early as next week but it depends on our colleagues' review."

The energy bill, if enacted, would represent the first significant update to federal energy policy since 2007. The bill includes mostly non-controversial legislative changes that its supporters say would speed up federal reviews of LNG export applications, expedite permitting of gas pipelines and increase support for energy efficiency programs.

Murkowski said she has met with the leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees to ensure swift passage through the House of Representatives after the eventual Senate vote on the bill.