President Barack Obama has nominated Ron Binz, former chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), to serve as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). In May, Jon Wellinghoff revealed plans to step down from his post as FERC chairman but remain in the position until a successor is confirmed.
Binz served as Colorado PUC chairman from 2007 to 2011 and has headed Public Policy Consulting, a regulatory consulting firm, since 2011. He is also a senior policy advisor with the Center for the New Energy Economy.
Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, has expressed his organization's support for Binz to lead the FERC.
‘Ron Binz has the experience and vision needed to help America ramp up the transition to clean energy sources, including solar,’ Resch said in a statement. ‘He also has a keen understanding of both the regulatory process and the complexities of today's electricity distribution system.’
Binz's nomination now goes to the U.S. Senate for confirmation.
