FERC picks Clements, Christie field questions on impartiality, climate at Senate hearing

摘要

The latest two nominees to fill open seats at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pledged to be objective, impartial regulators if confirmed, and stressed during their Sept. 16 confirmation hearing that the facts and the law would guide their decisions on contentious topics that some view as having become more political in recent years. Grilled by members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Virginia State Corporation Commission Chairman Mark Christie and energy attorney Allison Clements were careful not to veer into prejudging any issues pending before the commission. Christie, a Republican, stood by his 16-year record as a state regulator and made several mentions of the need to keep consumers in mind when making policy decisions that could affect electricity rates or impact their property.