Shannon Van Hoesen, shannon.vanhoesen@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC - This week, the Senate voted to confirm the three nominees to serve terms as commissioners at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Judy W. Chang was confirmed today, and David Rosner and Lindsay S. See were confirmed yesterday.
By statute, only three of the five commissioners can be from the same political party. For that reason, given the current make-up of FERC, 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:
“These newly confirmed FERC commissioners can fulfill the mission of the independent agency to build a system that can deliver affordable, reliable energy to consumers without undermining bedrock environmental laws or burdening communities with polluting infrastructure. As they take their place on the commission bench, the commissioners must incorporate climate and environmental justice impacts into their decisions, not succumb to the pressure from fossil fuel interests. In doing so, FERC can do its job, working for consumers who simply want to keep the lights on while protecting the health of their families and the planet. Through strong leadership FERC can shepherd a just, resilient grid for the future built on clean energy technologies.”
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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.