FERC Chairman Wellinghoff Departs

John Wellinghoff officially resigned his post as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Sunday, November 24, 2013.  Wellinghoff, the longest serving FERC Chairman in history, will be joining the law firm of Stoel Rives LLP.  The now-departed FERC Chairman announced his intention to leave the agency in May 2013, but agreed to stay on until his replacement could be named and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.  President Obama’s first choice to fill the position, former Colorado energy regulator Ron Binz, recently withdrew from consideration in the face of opposition.  The White House has indicated that another current FERC Commissioner, Cheryl LaFleur, will serve as acting Chairman until a permanent replacement is confirmed.