Editor’s Note: On September 21, 2009 FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly declined a nomination to serve a second term on the panel. Kelly, a Democratic commissioner nominated by President Obama, said she was leaving her post for the private sector. A FERC spokeswoman said Kelly would remain in her seat until Congress adjourns later this year.
In her tenure, Kelly has overseen the development of commercial scale renewable energy, the expansion of bid-based regional auction markets for electricity, growth in natural gas pipelines and storage and the birth of the smart grid.
“It is time for me to move on and pursue opportunities to advance these objectives in the private sector,” Kelly said in a statement.
The Senate has still yet to confirm another FERC nominee, John Norris. If the Senate fails to confirm Norris and replace Kelly before it adjourns, it will have only three commissioners sitting: two Republican and one Democrat.
MendoCoastCurrent, March 20, 2009
President Barack Obama has designated Jon Wellinghoff as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a position he has held on an acting basis since January.
Wellinghoff is one of two Democrats on the five-member FERC commission. Separately, the White House said Obama will nominate Commissioner Suedeen Kelly, the panel’s other Democrat, to a third term. Wellinghoff has been on the commission since 2006 and Kelly since 2003.
The Senate confirms commission members, but the president may name its chairman without Senate action.
Here’s the Obama Administration’s FERC Team:
Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, Commissioner Suedeen G. Kelly, Commissioner Philip D. Moeller, Commissioner Marc Spitzer
Dear Mr. Wellinghoff
I wrote a letter about one to two weeks ago about my displeasure with ferc’s approval of Jordan Cove LNG plant.
Let me say that I’m very very sorry that I linked you with the rest of the board. In case any of the board did read the letter which I don’t believe would happen, it goes double.
L.A. Dykstra