(WASHINGTON,
DC) -- President Donald Trump intends to nominate Bernard McNamee, the head of
the Energy Department's policy office, to take over Rob Powerlson's seat at
FERC, the White House announced Wednesday. McNamee played a crucial role in
devising last year's proposed rule to bail out coal and nuclear plants struggling
in the nation's power markets, which FERC shot down in January. If confirmed,
he would also have a crucial vote on whatever DOE puts forward next. FERC
Chairman Kevin McIntyre welcomed McNamee's nomination, which would return the
commission to full strength. "He is eminently qualified for the job, and I
look forward to serving with him," McIntyre wrote on Twitter.
Industry is jittery: In principle, FERC's regulated
industries prefer a full slate of commissioners to keep the business of the
agency moving, but natural gas, renewable, and some electric power groups have
spent months battling the Trump administration's attempts to intervene on
behalf of coal and nuclear. "The industry is more than well aware of
Bernard McNamee's rumored ties to helping craft the Department of Energy's
NOPR, which FERC rejected last year," said one industry source opposed to
the bailout. "We look forward to his confirmation hearing to learn more on
his views on the role of competitive markets in supporting a level-playing
field, and expect members of the Senate Energy Committee to make this a central
point in confirming his nomination." Dena Wiggins, who leads the Natural
Gas Supply Association, said her industry is "keenly interested in seeing
FERC continue its work to support competitive markets as well provide a timely
and thorough review of proposed pipeline projects."
Green groups concerned: Both Sierra Club and the
Natural Resources Defense Council were out with negative reviews of McNamee's
nomination. "FERC has a longstanding commitment to fuel-neutral
regulation, but Mr. McNamee's past writings and career track record suggest
that he would seek every opportunity possible to support fossil fuels,"
John Moore, director of the Sustainable FERC Project housed within NRDC, said
in a statement. "He even went so far as to state in an op-ed (The Hill)
that fossil fuels 'dramatically improve' the human condition."
Start the clock: Once the White House
officially sends McNamee's paperwork to the Senate, the Energy and Natural
Resources Committee can schedule his nomination hearing. The math on the
committee works in his favor — there's no obvious reason for Republicans to
oppose him, and Sen. Joe Manchin is likely to vote for him too. But, for the
moment, McNamee is riding solo when FERC picks typically move in bipartisan
packages, leaving the timing around his confirmation uncertain. Democratic
Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur's term ends next year, so the White House could
roll out a new Democratic nominee (or renominate LaFleur herself) for that
spot. Otherwise, McNamee may be waiting a while before he takes his seat at
FERC. Oh, and there's an election in a few weeks that could throw a wrench into
things, too.
