On October 24, US President Donald Trump designated Commissioner Neil Chatterjee as the new chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Commissioner Chatterjee, a Republican, replaces Commissioner Kevin McIntyre, also a Republican, as chairman of the Commission. Senate confirmation is not required for this chairman designation. Commissioner McIntyre served as Chairman of the Commission for close to a year after he was confirmed by the Senate on November 2, 2017. Commissioner McIntyre had sent a letter to President Trump earlier this week, indicating that he would be stepping down due to health concerns.
Commissioner Chatterjee issued a statement wherein he was appreciative of the designation and acknowledged Commissioner McIntyre’s commitment to furthering FERC’s continuing goals and objectives. Commissioner Chatterjee stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I step into this role while my friend and colleague, Kevin McIntyre, focuses on what’s most important: his recovery and his family. I am confident that the Commission will continue to benefit from his consummate knowledge of the law and of energy policy through his service as Commissioner.”