William Massey is no longer a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Congress officially adjourned for the year on Tuesday without the White House signaling its intent to re-nominate Massey for a third term.

Massey’s term expired last June 30, but he had been serving out a grace period that ended when Capitol Hill lawmakers left for the year. There was speculation that the White House might re-nominate him as part of a deal it brokered with Senate Democrats. But even if Massey had been tapped, it’s believed that his nomination would have faced substantial Republican opposition.

A presidential recess appointment was considered a possibility, but it was ruled out. While Massey would have been able to continue to serve on the Commission, he would not have received a salary until Congress returned in January and formally took up his nomination.

Massey was “on travel” Wednesday and would return next Monday to “wind up things here” at the Commission, a member of his staff told NGI. “Life goes on.” Massey, who has a legal background, “hasn’t told me of his plans,” she said.

He was nominated in 1993 by President Clinton to serve on the Commission. With Massey now gone, this leaves only one Democrat on FERC, new Commissioner Suedeen Kelly. Chairman Pat Wood, Commissioner Nora Brownell and Commissioner Joseph Kelliher are Republicans.

Massey’s successor will have to be either a Democrat or an Independent. There have been no names rumored yet to replace the three-term Commissioner.

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