Senate committee grills FERC nominees on independence, interconnection backlog and grid reliability

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard from President Trump's nominees to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Laura Sweatt and David Lacerte, in a confirmation hearing that centered on FERC's statutory independence and the commission's role in ensuring affordable, reliable electricity as demand grows.

The hearing matters because FERC's decisions shape interstate transmission, wholesale power markets, pipeline and LNG terminal approvals and reliability standards that affect consumers, businesses and national security.

Chairman Mike Lee opened the hearing by saying the nominees would be judged on whether they would enforce the law and prioritize reliability and affordability. He described FERC as a commission —that must adopt policies that keep pace with today's economy.— Laura Sweatt, currently energy and litigation counsel at Vincent & Elkins, described a 15-year career at and around FERC and pledged: "I will follow the law and honor the law in everything that I do and consider the merits of every single issue, the law and the facts before me,…