Commissioner William Massey will take over the reins at FERCwhen Chairman James J. Hoecker steps down this week after more thanseven years at the agency. His term will begin Jan. 19.

The White House notified Massey that he would be appointed thenext chairman even before Hoecker publicly announced last Wednesdaythat his last day at the Commission would be Jan. 18.

Massey, a Democrat, is the senior member at the Commission, and,therefore, was considered the logical choice to head up theCommission, at least until the Senate can confirm whomever theincoming Bush administration nominates for that post. Both he andHoecker were sworn in on the same day.

“My term will last at least 36 hours,” Massey joked to NGI,noting that President-elect George W. Bush will be inaugurated theday after he’s sworn in as chairman of the Commission. “My plan forwhatever period of time I am chairman is to act in the public’sinterest.”

Hoecker gave no reason for his decision to leave early, nor didhe say what his immediate plans were. His departure will leave onlythree seats filled on the five-member panel.

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