In a move that solidifies President Joe Biden's control over a powerful energy regulator, the Senate has confirmed two new members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and is poised to approve a third nominee, extending the administration's influence on the panel through 2026. This development promises to bolster Biden's ambitious clean energy agenda, even as Republicans gear up for a potential White House victory in next year's elections.
The new FERC commissioners, Democrat David Rosner and Republican Lindsay See, sailed through the Senate confirmation process on Wednesday, with Rosner receiving a 67-27 vote and See garnering an overwhelming 83-12 approval. A final vote on Democrat Judy Chang's nomination is expected as soon as Thursday, clearing the way for Biden to cement a working majority on the five-member commission until at least June 2026.
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"A fully seated, bipartisan FERC provides more opportunity for advancing long-lasting, sensible energy infrastructure policy," said Sen. Joe Manchin, the influential Democrat-turned-independent who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and endorsed all three nominees.
FERC, often referred to as the "Arctic Gatekeeper," wields significant power over the nation's energy landscape, overseeing natural gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, and other critical infrastructure projects. In recent months, the commission has played a pivotal role in advancing Biden's clean energy vision, approving rules to facilitate the transmission of renewable energy sources like wind and solar onto the nation's aging power grid.
The newly confirmed regulators will inherit a FERC that has taken bold steps to support the President's ambitious climate goals, including the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by 2050. Notably, the commission recently gave the green light to the controversial $8 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline, a project that has drawn fierce opposition from environmental groups and landowners but was a priority for Manchin.
With the new appointments, Democrats will maintain a 3-2 edge on the commission until at least mid-2026, when the term of Democratic Chairman Willie Phillips expires. This extended control promises to shape the agency's approach to various energy issues, from evaluating new pipeline projects to setting policies that could accelerate or hinder the transition to clean energy sources.
"When it comes to fairly assessing all interests, five heads are better than one," Manchin asserted, emphasizing the importance of a fully staffed, bipartisan commission in considering diverse perspectives and interests.
However, not all senators shared Manchin's enthusiasm for the nominees. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, a Democrat, opposed both Rosner and See, citing his ongoing dissatisfaction with the Mountain Valley Pipeline approval.
"I voted no on rubber-stamping the same old people to FERC," Kaine stated, underscoring the intense debates that often surround energy projects and their environmental impact.
As the Senate moves to finalize the commission's new lineup, the Biden administration can take solace in the knowledge that its energy policy priorities will have a strong ally in FERC, at least until the next presidential election cycle. Whether this advantage will translate into tangible progress on the President's climate goals remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a pivotal stretch in the nation's ongoing energy transition.
