FERC chairman’s time period might finish as Manchin balks at renomination

The transfer was criticized by some fee watchers, together with former Republican Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell, who has lengthy spoken out towards the politicization of the impartial regulatory company.

“Whenever you actually take into consideration what FERC does, it’s all about infrastructure and financial growth and environmental progress, they usually’re all one and the identical,” Brownell mentioned. “We deal with them in another way, however they’re all one and the identical. So to create uncertainty is to drive away capital, drive up the price of capital — in the end clients pay a value, and in the end the nation doesn’t get what it wants in an environment friendly method. I’m horrified and upset, and I believe folks like Manchin aren’t fulfilling their obligations to serve this nation.”

Among the many extra controversial gadgets Glick has tried to maneuver ahead have been modifications in how FERC certifies pure fuel infrastructure, with the aim of formalizing a overview of its affect on greenhouse fuel emissions. That led to opposition from Manchin, business and Republicans on the fee and Capitol Hill, earlier than Glick in the end determined to withdraw the proposals. They’re now pending earlier than FERC as drafts and couldn’t transfer ahead with a 2-2 cut up.

The plans will both should be revised to win a Republican vote or await one other Democratic nominee subsequent yr. Brownell mentioned she disagreed with the coverage, however in the end the courts might have the ultimate say on the matter.

“I hope rational minds will step up and defend the independence of the company and never enable this utter disrespect for course of and regulation to proceed to reign,” Brownell mentioned. “It simply is just not wholesome.”