White House to name Kelliher chairman of US FERC

Washington (Platts)--29Jun2005

The White House, perhaps as early as Thursday, will name US Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission member Joseph Kelliher chairman of the agency, sources
said Wednesday. Kelliher would replace Pat Wood, who will leave the commission
Thursday. 

According to sources, White House personnel officials Wednesday afternoon were
alerting congressional leaders of President Bush's intention to name Kelliher
to the chairman's seat. Wood in April said he would leave the commission to
return to Texas after his term expired June 30. There had been speculation for
months about Wood's replacement, with various state regulators mentioned. The
White House seriously considered former Texas regulator Rebecca Klein as FERC
chair, but her prospects dimmed in recent weeks, sources said. 

Kelliher on Wednesday afternoon declined to comment on the topic, noting that
he had not been contacted by the White House. Following Wood's departure FERC
will be left with three commissioners--Kelliher, Republican Nora Mead Brownell
and Democrat Suedeen Kelly, the bare minimum for a quorum.

This story was originally published in Platts Electricity Alert
http://www.electricityalert.platts.com

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