Industry concerns that FERC could lose one of its mostexperienced commissioners when his term expires at the end of thismonth were partially quelled late Tuesday when President Clintonannounced his intent to nominate Commissioner William L. Massey toanother term. His new term, which is subject to Senateconfirmation, would expire June 30, 2003.

“I am excited by the opportunity of continued service at theCommission during this time of dynamic change for our nation’sbackbone energy industries,” Massey said in a statement. He wasconfirmed by the Senate to his present term on May 20, 1993 afterbeing nominated by President Clinton.

John Sharp, director of congressional affairs and counsel forthe Natural Gas Supply Association, said Commissioner Massey hasbeen highly valued for his “candor and knowledge of the industry.”He has a “firm grasp” of the issues, the functioning of themarketplace and “the possible abuses that can go on in themarketplace. And he’s not bashful about expressing them.”

“We think that the President made a wonderful decision,” saidSharp. “Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same. You never knowwhat can come up at confirmation hearings. There are a lot ofcontroversial things hanging out there right now with regards towhat the Commission is doing. Those things can pop up notnecessarily based on the merits of the commissioner but on generalCommission direction and goals and stuff.”

By presstime yesterday, the Senate still had not received thenomination from the Administration, but a Senate staff member saidit was expected to arrive soon.

Karen Hill, vice president of government relations at theAmerican Gas Association, said Massey has been “very thoughtful andsubstantive in his consideration and decisions about importantindustry issues. Now that the Commission is turning to gas issues,we would be most happy if he can continue.”

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