The Senate Energy Committee Thursday approved and sent to the floor the nomination of Cheryl A. LaFleur, a former executive vice president and acting CEO of National Grid USA, to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The committee also approved the renomination of Commissioner Philip D. Moeller for a full term. It may be awhile, however, before they get an okay from the full Senate. Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, OK has put a hold on all Obama nominees. LaFleur, a Democrat, would fill the seat vacated by former Commissioner Suedeen Kelly, who left the agency in late December. LaFleur retired in 2007 from National Grid, which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers in the Northeast. LaFleur will join Chairman Jon Wellinghoff and Commissioner John Norris in making up a Democratic majority. Moeller and Commissioner Marc Spitzer are Republicans. Moeller has served on the Commission since July 2006, when he assumed the seat of former FERC Chairman Pat Wood. His current term expires June 30.

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