President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-American Neil Chatterjee as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), on oct. 24.
Chatterjee will replace Kevin McIntyre as chairman of the agency, which oversees America’s power grid systems and decides on multibillion-dollar energy projects. McIntyre resigned on Oct. 22 for health reasons.
“Trump designates Neil Chatterjee to be Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,” the White House said in a statement. Chatterjee is one of the three commissioners of FERC, PTI said.
This will be the second time that Chatterjee has been appointed as FERC chairman. He had earlier served as FERC chairman from Aug. 10 to Dec. 7, 2017, when McIntyre became its head, the news agency added.
Soon after his appointment, Chatterjee said, “As Chairman, Kevin has demonstrated steadfast leadership on the many significant issues that have come before us. Although this is a difficult period for the Commission, I want to assure my fellow Commissioners, staff within the building and stakeholders outside it, that it’s my full intention to build upon Kevin’s hard work. But above all, I look forward to the day when my friend is back at full capacity. “
Over the years Chairman Chatterjee has played an integral role in the passage of major energy, highway, and agriculture legislation.
PTI said that before being appointed for the FERC by Trump, Chatterjee was previously energy policy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for eight years. Prior to serving Leader McConnell, Chairman Chatterjee worked as a Principal in Government Relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and as an aide to House Republican Conference Chairwoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH). He began his career in Washington, D.C., with the House Committee on Ways and Means.
A native of Lexington, KY, he is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and the University of Cincinnati, College of Law. His parents had moved to the U.S. from Kolkata some 50 years ago.
The FERC is responsible for overseeing electricity markets and ensuring just and reasonable rates; approving applications for infrastructure projects; and playing a role in cybersecurity and defenses. The agency has a very important role in policymaking, PTI said.