© Reuters. U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with folks as he boards Air Drive One at Rohlsen Airport to depart after a New Yr vacation go to to Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. January 2, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden has named Willie Phillips, a Democrat, performing chairman of the Federal Vitality Regulatory Fee, FERC stated on Tuesday.
Phillips joined the fee in December, 2021 after being appointed by Biden and accredited by Congress. Phillips would be the first Black particular person to take the reigns at FERC.
Earlier than coming to FERC Phillips served because the chairman of the Public Service Fee of the District of Columbia, beginning in 2018, the place he championed problems with environmental justice and fairness. He was additionally a regulatory legal professional with almost 20 years in private and non-private follow.
The unbiased panel of the Division of Vitality lengthy had a low-key profile and was primarily recognized for approving pipelines and export terminals for liquefied pure gasoline, or LNG. After Phillips joined FERC, that started to alter as Democrats had a 3-2 majority and the Biden administration pursued insurance policies to transition to low-carbon vitality.
However now Phillips is performing chairman, FERC shall be locked at a 2-2 as a result of the previous head, Richard Glick, left FERC after Senator Joe Manchin, a conservative Democrat, didn’t maintain a affirmation listening to to contemplate Biden’s re-nomination of Glick. Analysts stated FERC could not take up many points past energy transmission rulemakings in the course of the impasse.
Phillips will function non permanent chief of the fee because the Biden administration considers nominating a everlasting chair.
