Mcintyre

FERC commissioner and former Chairman Kevin J. McIntyre, who had been battling cancer since 2017, died Wednesday, Jan. 2. He was 58.

The recent turbulence at FERC, including former Chairman Kevin McIntyre handing the reins to Neil Chatterjee, a potential fifth commissioner’s Senate confirmation delayed by the upcoming midterm elections, and current membership at two Republicans and two Democrats, shouldn’t stop the Commission from moving forward with its agenda, the new chief said Wednesday.

Apparently hampered by health issues, Kevin McIntyre was absent for a second consecutive monthly FERC meeting Thursday, prompting speculation that he may step down as Chairman or even leave the Commission.

President Trump has announced his intent to nominate Republican Bernard McNamee to fill the vacant fifth seat at FERC, but how the confirmation process will unfold for the current executive director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Policy is unclear.

When the gavel sounded Thursday on the opening of FERC's monthly meeting in Washington, DC, there were only three commissioners at the table, while two chairs, including one normally held by Chairman Kevin McIntyre, were empty.

FERC remains an independent agency and recent comments by Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese don’t necessarily reflect the views of Commission, Chairman Kevin McIntyre said in a recent letter to two powerful Capitol Hill Democrats.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is now responsible for evaluating the compliance with siting requirements of proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, the agency said in letters sent to developers this month.

Just two days after hinting that FERC could soon have news about improved coordination with other federal entities to speed along pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications, Chairman Kevin McIntyre delivered his scoop.

FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre told a Senate panel that he is personally committed to seeing the Commission accelerate its permitting of interstate natural gas pipelines, while also hiring more staff to address a backlog of permitting for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export infrastructure.