The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 on Thursday to confirm Bernard McNamee as a FERC commissioner, restoring the commission to full strength.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced FERC nominee Bernard McNamee to the full Senate in a 13-10 party line vote.

Senate Democrats pressed Bernard McNamee to recuse himself from the resilience proceeding at FERC due to his role in crafting a controversial DOE proposal.

PJM CEO Andy Ott emphasized the importance of fuel diversity for grid resilience to U.S. senators, but he cautioned against government intervention.

Six New England senators urged FERC Tuesday to end the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) ban on public and press attendance at stakeholder meetings.

FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre has defended Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese, saying his controversial remarks did not reflect commission policy.

The House and Senate energy committees sent FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre a letter concerning “highly partisan political remarks” made by Anthony Pugliese.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee returned to the issue of natural gas infrastructure permitting following reports of increasing delays.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on cybersecurity, with one witness advising a pause in CIP standards.

The Edison Electric Institute celebrated the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at its annual briefing to Wall Street analysts.