Curt

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert indicated yesterday that the Commission plans to keep a watchful eye on steps by California regulators and other government officials to improve the natural gas and power infrastructure within the state, reviewing progress or lack thereof at every regular meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert Jr. said yesterday that he has alreadywelcomed the two Commission nominees – Texas regulator Pat Wood IIIand Pennsylvania regulator Nora M. Brownell – on board, and did notappear to be overly concerned that Wood might replace him down theroad.

FERC Chairman Curt L. Hebert told a House panel last week thatthe Commission was “fully committed” to moving quickly onapplications for new interstate pipeline capacity to California andfrom the North Slope of Alaska to meet the nation’s unquenchabledemand for natural gas.

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert, a former chairman of the MississippiPublic Service Commission, assured state regulators last week atNARUC’s winter committee meetings in Washington, D.C., that theCommission will focus intently on clearing the backlog of 2,000cases clogging up the corridors at 888 First Street NE. Heattributed the backlog mainly to the Commission’s attention toCalifornia’s energy crisis.

FERC Chairman Curt L. Hebert told a House panel yesterday thatthe Commission was “fully committed” to moving quickly onapplications for new interstate pipeline capacity to California andfrom the North Slope of Alaska to meet the unquenchable demand fornatural gas.

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert, a former chairman of the MississippiPublic Service Commission, assured state regulators yesterday atNARUC’s winter committee meetings in Washington, D.C., that theCommission will focus intently on clearing the backlog of 2,000cases clogging up the corridors at 888 First Street NE. Heattributed the backlog mainly to the Commission’s attention toCalifornia’s energy crisis.

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert Jr. last week tapped Kevin P. Madden,a well-known and popular official at the Commission, to be generalcounsel. He succeeds Doug Smith, who left the Commission on Friday.Madden has held a number of posts during his 21-year tenure atFERC, most recently as deputy director of the Office of Markets,Tariffs and Rates. Prior to that, he had been director of theOffice of Pipeline Regulation since 1988. He also served as anattorney adviser and trial attorney in the Office of GeneralCounsel during his years at FERC. “I chose Mr. Madden from a largefield of potential candidates both outside and within theCommission. His contributions will be crucial to our futureachievements, especially during this critical juncture of electricmarkets,” Hebert said.

FERC Chairman Curt Hebert Jr. last week tapped Kevin P. Madden,a well-known and popular official at the Commission, to be generalcounsel. He succeeds Doug Smith, who left the Commission on Friday.

Since taking over at FERC last month, Chairman Curt L. HebertJr. has presided over two regular Commission meetings with agendason the light side. But he promises activity will pick up soon.