The Honorable Chuck Schumer
Majority Leader
United States Senate
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Republican Leader
United States Senate
Dear Leaders Schumer and McConnell,
On behalf of the organizations representing industries, companies, and individuals who depend on regulatory decisions relating to energy infrastructure and markets, we write to express our appreciation for moving swiftly on the process to confirm the candidates approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to fill current vacancies and another pending vacancy at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission). We ask that you schedule votes to confirm all the nominees to be Commissioners at FERC as soon as possible.
The Commission plays a critical role in making certain that energy is secure, reliable, and affordable through its oversight of the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. To fulfill this role, FERC must advance projects that modernize and expand America’s energy infrastructure, spur economic growth, and realize our shared climate goals.
Congress tasked FERC with regulating the siting and construction of liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals, interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, and specific electric transmission projects. Those projects – and the jobs and reliability improvements they create – depend on a clear and consistent regulatory process at FERC. In addition, the agency reviews and approves rates and services for interstate energy infrastructure. The agency best fulfills these duties when it has a full complement of five commissioners, who are committed to evaluating proposed projects on their merits, in accordance with federal law and established Commission precedent, to ensure timely deployment of critical energy projects.
At present, FERC is operating with three commissioners, the minimum to sustain a quorum, with the prospect of another seat becoming vacant in the coming weeks. A loss of quorum would eliminate the agency’s ability to approve construction of new LNG terminals and natural gas pipelines, move major electricity market rules, or perform other key functions. The loss of these functions in turn would freeze the economic growth spurred by energy infrastructure development through wages paid to local workers, expenditures at small businesses, and lower costs for families.
Recently, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee acted to address FERC’s impending loss of quorum by favorably reporting the nominees with bipartisan support. It is critical that the Senate confirm the nominees to fill the vacant seats and the impending opening and return FERC to full complement.
We look forward to working with you on efforts to ensure an efficient, sustainable, and resilient energy system.
Sincerely,
American Chemistry Council
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Gas Association
American Petroleum Institute
American Pipeline Contractors Association
American Public Gas Association
Consumer Energy Alliance
Electricity Consumers Resource Council
Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance
Energy Infrastructure Council
GPA Midstream Association
Independent Petroleum Association of America
International Union of Operating Engineers
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Liquid Energy Pipeline Association
National Association of Manufacturers
Portland Cement Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
