Tony Clark, former chairman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC), has been sworn in to fill a Republican seat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (see NGI, May 28). Clark is to serve out the balance of the term ending June 2016 that was vacated by former Commissioner Marc Spitzer. Clark, who was tapped by President Obama in February to fill the vacant seat at FERC, had served on the PSC since 2000. He is the immediate past president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and served in the North Dakota House of Representatives from 1994 to 1997.

An overarching focus for the West should be “responsible energy development” that sets goals for providing reliable, affordable and cleaner energy longer term, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said after being elected as chairman of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) at the annual meeting in Cle Elum, WA. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper was elected vice president. An updated set of regional energy goals as part of a 10-year energy plan is to be hammered out for approval by the WGA by the end of June to continue ongoing WGA work on regional transmission expansion for electricity, along with other recommendations on “expansion of markets for natural gas, including necessary pipeline infrastructure and the development of refueling infrastructure to support increased natural gas use as a transportation fuel.” Herbert said he is endorsing an “all of the above” approach to energy planning.

Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Director Tom Doll has resigned, according to Gov. Matt Mead’s office. Doll also served as the state’s oil and gas supervisor, a position to which he was appointed in 2009. The resignation came about a week after Doll publicly lambasted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the way it handled a natural gas-related water contamination case in Pavillion, WY. Mead said he appreciated Doll’s “work and his depth of knowledge on oil and gas matters,” noting his “extensive experience in the energy field” and his commitment to the commission. A search has been launched for a new supervisor, according to the governor’s office.

©Copyright 2012Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.