Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Biden nominated Judy W. Chang, David Rosner, and Lindsay S. See to fill current and upcoming vacancies at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The nominations will now go to the Senate.
By statute, only three of the five commissioners can be from the same political party. For that reason, given the current make-up of the commission, Chang and Rosner are Democrats and See is a Republican.
FERC is an independent federal agency that makes key decisions about our nation’s energy future, including the interstate transmission of methane gas and electricity. FERC also has an important role in ensuring that consumers don't overpay for electricity, and that new, low-cost, clean energy technologies, like wind and solar, are able to replace aging, inefficient coal and gas power plants.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said:
“FERC may not be well-known by the average American, but the agency plays a critical role in our ability to clean up the energy sector and bring cheaper, renewable energy sources online quickly. A fully staffed FERC has the opportunity to tackle the climate crisis while making our transmission grids more resilient and reliable. But FERC must turn around its track record of acting as a rubber stamp for the fossil fuel industry.
“As these nominees move through the Senate confirmation process, we will be watching for these candidates to commit to weighing climate, environmental justice, health, and consumer cost impacts heavily in any decision they make. The courts have repeatedly said FERC must factor in these considerations and the Sierra Club is committed to ensuring the make-up of the commission is in step with this mandate.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.