I wanted to update you on an URGENT action UCS is leading the charge on regarding the nomination of Bernard McNamee to be a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It’s no surprise that this nominee (hand-picked by the Trump administration) has a history of propping up coal and is laughably under-qualified for the position.
FERC is an independent federal regulatory body that is organized as part of the Department of Energy and that oversees much of our modern energy infrastructure. FERC is tasked with ensuring “reliable, efficient and sustainable energy services at a reasonable cost”. To put it simply: FERC’s decisions impact our wallets, our environment, and our climate. We need a commissioner who is NOT an unqualified political operative with a polluter agenda.
This Tuesday, October 16th, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will be holding a hearing to move forward with this rushed nomination process. Your Senator sits on this committee and have the power to ask crucial questions to make public McNamee’s conflicts of interest and his role in the ongoing effort to bailout uneconomic coal plants. Can you as a constituent send them a quick email urging Senator Flake to block this nomination and to ask the imperative questions regarding McNamee’s track record?
Below is a sample email you can customize to send to your senator (including their respective staffer’s email address). We are hoping to get as many constituents to weigh in before October 16th so please feel free to forward to action to friends and colleagues. You can also learn more about the nominee from our recent blog post on the issue.
The nomination of Bernard McNamee to be a member of FERC can severely impact consumers and our electricity market in both the short and long term. I appreciate you taking action and getting your voice heard with your senator!
-Asha Kuziwa, Union of Concerned Scientists
To send use: https://www.senate.gov/
Subj line: Please Block the Nomination of Bernard McNamee for FERC commissioner
(Dear Emily Nelson)
As a constituent, I am deeply troubled by the nomination of Bernard McNamee for FERC commissioner. FERC is an independent agency tasked with ensuring “reliable, efficient and sustainable energy services at a reasonable cost”. I am worried that based on McNamee’s history of propping up uneconomic coal plants and partisan history, he is not up to the task of remaining independent to put consumers over the fossil fuel industry.
FERC’s decisions impact our wallets, our environment, and our climate. We need a commissioner who has a track record of working with utilities and understanding the needs of ratepayers.
During this Tuesday’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee nomination hearing, I urge your boss to block this nomination. I also call on the senator to ask the questions listed below so we can learn more about this nominee’s track record.
Questions:
What was your role in DOE’s first coal bailout proposal that FERC flatly denied in January 2018?
What role are you playing in helping DOE craft its current coal bailout proposal?
Do you think DOE should subsidize uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, which could raise rates on consumers? If so, why?
If confirmed as FERC Commissioner, will you recuse yourself from voting on any matters you had a direct role in while at DOE, including the coal bailout?
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Here is Sen. Flake's website (if you want to cover your bases.)
Apparently the e-mail address suggested didn't work. A friend got the message through at: https://www.senate.gov/ You can also contact Sen. Flake on his website included above.
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