Government

摘要

One top federal pipeline regulator left her job and a high-level state regulator is coming to Washington to fill a second pipeline job. Cynthia Quarterman left as administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Oct. 3. No replacement has been named. Meanwhile, the White House nominated Colette Honorable as a commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). When confirmed, which is likely, she would probably be appointed chairman. Honorable is chair of the Public Service Commission in Arkansas. The PHMSA job is probably the more important one to the pipeline industry, given its responsibility for approving safety regulations and levying enforcement fines. FERC has been very quiet on pipeline issues during the Obama administration. Heading PHMSA at the moment is Timothy Butters, the deputy administrator. He is the former assistant chief of operations for the City of Fairfax fire department in northern Virginia. While Quarterman had significant oil and gas experience before PHMSA, Butters has none.