Binz

Amid controversy over his pro-renewable energy and anti-fossil fuel sentiments, former Colorado regulator Ron Binz has asked President Obama to withdraw his name from further consideration as a nominee for FERC chairman.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) Thursday said he would join Republicans in voting against former Colorado regulator Ron Binz for FERC chairman, which would sink the nomination if the rest of the votes in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee split along party lines.

The four co-chairs of the House of Representatives’ Natural Gas Caucus Wednesday had one message for the Obama administration: stay out of state regulators’ oil and natural gas activities.

Former Colorado regulator Ron Binz, nominated for FERC chairman, said he was bullish on natural gas and expects applications for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals to proceed through the agency as usual.

Not all of the lobbying groups in Washington, DC, believe that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is destined to become more proactive on energy if former Colorado regulator Ron Binz is confirmed as chairman.