With little or no fanfare from the lame-duck Clintonadministration, FERC Chairman James J. Hoecker received a recessappointment yesterday from the White House that effectively extendshis term on the Commission until the Senate adjourns next year. Italso re-designated him as chairman.

Even so, Hoecker is expected to leave the Commission whenPresident-elect George W. Bush takes office in late January, orpossibly even before that, sources said. They speculate Bush islikely to appoint Curt Hebert Jr., the sole Republican on theCommission, as chairman or at least interim chairman whilecandidates are being reviewed.

In addition to Hebert, the Bush team is also said to beseriously considering Pat Wood III, chairman of the Texas PublicUtility Commission, for FERC chairman.

In a press statement yesterday, Hoecker, a Democrat, thankedPresident Clinton for giving him “this additional opportunity tohelp shape the energy future of the nation,” and said he “look[ed]forward to continuing in public service.” He also said he was”grateful” for the “tremendous contributions” of his Commissioncolleagues and staff members, “without which any chairman would becut adrift.”

The Senate adjourned for the year on Friday. The White House canonly make interim recess appointments when the Senate is not insession.

President Clinton nominated Hoecker to his second five-year termat FERC in November 1999, but the Senate refused to act on hisnomination. His current term expired last June, but he has beenserving under a grace period that ended when the 106th Congressadjourned last week. Hoecker has been FERC chairman since June1997.

©Copyright 2000 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. Thepreceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, inwhole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent ofIntelligence Press, Inc.