Yesterday, former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioner (PaPUC), Robert F. Powelson, was officially sworn in as a Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner, ending a six month drought in which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) did not have a quorum. The FERC is responsible for permitting decisions on energy projects such as natural gas pipelines. The lack of a quorum sidelined at least 15 energy infrastructure projects with an approximate value between $15 billion and $25 billion and an estimated 75,000 jobs. The projects include the $2 billion Nexus pipeline in Ohio and Michigan; the $1 billion PennEast pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey; and the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline in West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. This is the first time the FERC has been without a quorum in its 40-year history.
Last week the Senate unanimously confirmed Powelson and Neil Chatterjee, an energy policy advisor to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Chatterjee was officially sworn in on Tuesday. As a Pennsylvania based regulatory attorney, I join the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and others here in the Keystone State in congratulating the FERC’s newest Commissioner, Robert F. Powelson. Now the rest of the country will discover the reasoned judgement Pennsylvania has experienced. Those looking to discover more about Commissioner Powelson might enjoy this interview I did with then PaPUC Chairman Powelson regarding Pennsylvania’s energy future.
Photo Credit: FERC