By Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed David Rosner, a Democrat, and Lindsay See, a Republican, as members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The tally on Rosner, a FERC energy industry analyst currently an aide 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.
The vote on See was 83 to 12. See, the solicitor general of West Virginia, was recommended by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Her term expires June 30, 2028.
FERC, which has a maximum of five members, regulates the power grid, liquefied natural gas 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 also began 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.
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.