Powelson

As Robert Powelson’s tenure at FERC enters its final hours, rumors are circulating about a possible replacement, with Bernard McNamee, executive director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Policy, topping the list.

Commissioner Robert Powelson’s previously announced exit from FERC will happen Friday, one year to the day after he was sworn in, he said in a podcast released by the agency Wednesday.

Commissioner Robert Powelson said late Thursday that he will leave FERC in mid-August to become president and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies.

Commissioner Robert Powelson told an industry audience in Pittsburgh last week that they don’t have to worry about any “tectonic shifts in policy” as FERC prepares to review how it evaluates and approves interstate natural gas pipeline projects.

Two empty seats remained on the podium Wednesday for FERC’s first monthly public meeting since January, but the recently reconstituted quorum was in attendance, approving three natural gas items and a series of items unrelated to gas. The panel in place promised continued action even as it awaits confirmation of two more members.

Former Pennsylvania state utility commissioner Robert Powelson was officially sworn in as the third commissioner — and the quorum-maker — at FERC Thursday, earlier than some agency onlookers were expecting.

Friday will be Colette Honorable’s final day at FERC, she said Tuesday, a departure that will leave the already quorumless panel with a single member, and a pair of Trump administration nominees remain on the sidelines awaiting Senate votes.

There was little controversy and plenty of goodwill for a trio of Trump administration nominees to FERC and the Department of Energy (DOE) Thursday when they appeared at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Pennsylvania’s top utility regulator wants pipeline companies to use real-time monitoring and post additional employees at compressor stations in order to safeguard against, or actively handle, potential incidents.