Advanced Energy Perspectives

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Jon Wellinghoff, known for pushing an advanced energy agenda during his tenure, has announced he will resign from the commission after his term expires on June 30. He is expected to remain in his position for several months as the Obama Administration seeks a replacement. There is only speculation so far as to whether the President will tap one of the sitting Democratic FERC commissioners - Cheryl LaFleur or John Norris - or appoint an outsider. Any new member of FERC will need to be confirmed by the Senate.   

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed its first bills of this Congress Wednesday in a glimmer of bipartisanship for a sharply divided Congress.  When it was suggested that four hydropower bills and the Shaheen-Portman efficiency measure were merely the “low-hanging fruit” before the committee, ranking minority member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said, “And fine, let’s get some fruit.” After the vote, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) announced he would introduce legislation designed to boost residential efficiency and Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) said an upcoming subcommittee hearing would also focus on new efficiency ideas.