On January 31, 2019, Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur announced that she is no longer seeking a third term and will be leaving FERC this year. Commissioner LaFleur stated that she plans to stay at least until her current term expires, on June 30, 2019, and may stay longer depending on her plans and the appointment of her successor.
Commissioner LaFleur was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2010 (see June 25, 2010 edition of the WER). Prior to joining FERC, Commissioner LaFleur served as the Executive Vice President and acting CEO of National Grid, and CEO of a not-for-profit organization preparing underserved students for educational opportunities. At the Commission, Commissioner LaFleur’s priorities included reliability and grid security, competitive markets, regional transmission planning, and supporting a clean and diverse power supply.
FERC Commissioners may serve past the expiration of their term until a successor has been confirmed, but cannot serve beyond the end of the Congressional session in which their term expires. Should Commissioner LaFleur leave the Commission prior to a new appointee being sworn in, Chairman Chatterjee will maintain the three-Commissioner quorum necessary for the Commission to vote with Commissioners McNamee and Glick.
In a statement regarding her decision not to pursue another term, Commissioner LaFleur said, “While this is not the outcome I had hoped for, I feel very lucky to have served on FERC for more than eight years (and counting).”
Her statement is available here.