The key phrase is actually exactly why FERC nominees should not be approved:

“…but of increasingly vital importance, also oversees the permitting and construction of natural gas pipelines, gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas terminals.”

Funny how the Chamber didn’t mention fracking or LNG export. We don’t need more pipelines taking people’s property and risking our water and lives for the profit of a few fossil fuel executives cashing out before their industry goes belly-up.

WWALS recommends a swift vote to deny these FERC nominees and any others who do not vow to “to develop the new energy infrastructure necessary to ensure future domestic energy security” by rapidly deploying sun and wind power with no more new pipelines. Please call your Senators or members of that Committee to recommend they get on with real renewable energy, not 20th century fossil fuel stranded assets.

U.S. Chamber letter to U.S. Senate Energy Committee

See also the letter in PDF and WWALS asks FERC to deny Sabal Trail’s in-service request and to revoke its permit.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

style=”float:left”> NEIL L. BRADLEY
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT &
CHIEF POLICY OFFICER

1615 H STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20062
(202) 463-5310

May 31, 2017

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski
Chairman
Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Maria Cantwell
Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chairman Murkowski and Ranking Member Cantwell:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce respectfully urges the Committee to promptly report both Robert Powelson and Neil Chatterjee to the full Senate to fill two of the three open commissioner vacancies on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”).

FERC plays a vital role in ensuring the nation’s energy security. Not only does FERC regulate the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce, but of increasingly vital importance, also oversees the permitting and construction of natural gas pipelines, gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas terminals. FERC also licenses nonfederal hydropower projects, the leading source of dispatchable renewable generation.

Since the loss of its quorum in early February, FERC has been unable to perform many of its statutory duties, resulting in a backlog of filings and proceedings that implicate the Commission’s authority across a broad spectrum of the nation’s critical energy infrastructure. Moreover, the absence of a working quorum has sidelined FERC’s ability to evaluate the environmental reviews and evaluations needed to develop the new energy infrastructure necessary to ensure future domestic energy security. The continuation of a non-functional FERC represents a lost opportunity to advance America’s status as an energy superpower.

The lack of a quorum at FERC exposes customers and businesses across the nation to uncertainty as to the rates for the electricity, natural gas, and oil supplies that are essential for their daily lives and future investment decisions. This continued uncertainty hampers, rather than facilitates, the continuing recovery of the nation’s economy.

As was demonstrated during their appearances before the Committee on May 25, 2017, Robert Powelson and Neil Chatterjee are each soundly qualified to serve as two of the nation’s most important energy regulators. Their combined experience in both state and federal energy policy matters serves to position them well to perform FERC’s statutory duties while concurrently respecting the limitations on FERC’s authority where state oversight is preserved. Mr. Powelson and Mr. Chatterjee have demonstrated a solid grasp on the subject matter within FERC’s overview and have a demonstrated record of advocating policy over partisanship. As such, they would each be valuable assets as members of FERC.

The Chamber encourages a swift, favorable vote on these two nominations and stands ready to work with them as they get FERC back to work promoting fair and equitable energy rates while ensuring America’s energy security.

Sincerely,
[signed]
Neil L. Bradley

cc: Members of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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