By Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed David Rosner, a Democrat, as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and is slated to vote on the remaining two nominees this week.
The tally on Rosner, a FERC energy industry analyst currently on detail with the U.S. Senate energy committee, was 68 to 26 in the 100-member Senate. His term is set to run through June 30, 2027.
FERC, which has a maximum of five members, regulates the power grid, liquefied projects, and interstate transportation of oil and natural gas.
In May, FERC approved the first major electric transmission policy update in more than a decade that aims to speed up new interregional lines to move more power from wind and solar farms to meet growing demand amid the boom in electric vehicles, data centers and artificial intelligence.
The Senate on Wednesday began an initial vote on Lindsey See, a Republican, to be a member of FERC, and was expected to hold a final vote on See later in the day.
The Senate is also slated on Wednesday to hold an initial vote on Judy Chang, a Democrat. A final vote on Chang is expected as early as Thursday.
Chang is an energy economics and policy expert and former undersecretary of energy and climate solutions for Massachusetts. See, recommended by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, is the solicitor general of West Virginia.
Before the Senate confirmed Rosner, FERC had two Democrats and one Republican. In February, President Joe Biden promoted Willie Phillips, a Democrat, to head FERC. Shortly afterwards, Allison Clements, the other Democrat, said she would not seek a second term. Her current one expires June 30.
