Wood

Chairman Pat Wood announced the appointment of FERC veteran staffer Susan Court to a newly-created position as the Commission’s chief of staff. Only a couple of chairmen in the past have designated a chief of staff. Court’s primary job will be to ensure coordination among the Commission’s nine main offices and auxiliary offices to achieve its strategic plan. Since March 2001, Court has served as associate general counsel for general and administrative law and as the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO). She will continue to perform those functions until the end of July. Previously, Court served as deputy solicitor, associate general counsel for gas and oil, assistant to a commissioner, and executive assistant to an acting chairman. She started her career at the Commission in the Office of General Counsel’s rulemaking section in 1982. Among her accomplishments during her 22 years at the Commission, Court was in charge of the legal staff responsible for implementing Order No. 436 and drafting Order No 636 — the landmark rules intended to introduce greater competition in U.S. natural gas markets. She also led the team that successfully defended Order No. 636 in the federal courts.