[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 99 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4029-S4030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            FERC Nominations

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to support the 
three individuals nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission: David Rosner, Lindsay See, and Judy Chang.
  The Commission, or the FERC, is often called the most important 
Agency that people have never heard of. FERC regulates the interstate 
transmission of electricity and the interstate transportation of oil 
and natural gas. It ensures that the rates for electric power in the 
wholesale market are

[[Page S4030]]

``just and reasonable.'' It oversees electric reliability. It licenses 
interstate natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas terminals, and 
hydropower projects.
  By one estimate, the Commission regulates activities that account for 
7 percent of our Nation's economy. For that reason, we must fulfill our 
responsibility to maintain a quorum on the Commission.
  In 2015 and 2016, President Obama refused to fill the vacancies left 
by two Republican Commissioners. Then in January of 2017, the outgoing 
Chairman of FERC resigned as well. The departure left the Commission 
without a quorum.
  It then took 7 full months to restore the quorum at FERC. During that 
time, too many projects that help keep the lights on, help heat our 
homes, and aid our allies abroad were reluctantly put on hold.
  We can't let that happen again. Too much is at stake for American 
workers, for our energy security, and for our Nation's economy. That is 
why I am glad the Senate is acting on these three nominations this very 
week. While I may not agree with each of the nominees on all of the 
items all of the time, all of them are well qualified.
  I am especially supportive of Ms. Lindsay See. From a young age, she 
has distinguished herself as a person of exemplary discipline, drive, 
and determination. She graduated summa cum laude from Patrick Henry 
College. She then graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, 
where she served as the executive editor of the Harvard Law Review. 
After law school, she clerked for Judge Thomas Griffith of the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
  Ms. See is an outstanding appellate lawyer. She has spent the last 7 
years as solicitor general of West Virginia. During that time, she has 
overseen civil and criminal appeals in both State and Federal courts. 
Ms. See has fought tirelessly for affordable and reliable energy for 
American families. She has argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme 
Court. In one of those cases, she not only advocated on behalf of West 
Virginia, she also advocated on behalf of other States, including my 
home State of Wyoming. And she won.
  Ms. See has a long track record of giving a voice to people who are 
impacted by Federal actions. In fact, my concern for farmers and other 
landowners is a principal reason why I do support Ms. See.
  During the Energy and Natural Resource Committee's hearing on the 
nomination, Ms. See was asked if she would ``exercise extreme care'' 
when considering applications for electric transmission lines. Of 
course she said yes. She went on to explain that she would faithfully 
adhere to and apply the law.
  When she received written questions, she again committed to follow 
the law. Ms. See wrote:

       My time as West Virginia's Solicitor General has given me a 
     profound respect for the ways federal policies affect people 
     across the country.

  She added:

       I've seen how federal rules and permitting actions can 
     threaten people's livelihoods and local economies.

  Ms. See went on to say:

       Sensitivity to how federal actions affect States and local 
     communities is essential when making policy decisions.

  She said:

       I would consider a proposal's consequences for local 
     landowners . . . important to the public interest analysis.

  If confirmed, Ms. See will bring an impressive experience list, 
working with complex statutes, to the Commission. She will also help 
the Commission understand how its decisions impact farmers and other 
landowners.
  I firmly believe that if we fail to confirm Ms. See, farmers and 
landowners will be worse off. For that reason, I encourage all Senators 
to vote in favor of Ms. See.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from North Dakota.