Trump announces intent to nominate James Danly to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

President Donald Trump announced his intent this week to nominate James P. Danly as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Danly would serve the remainder of a five-year term expiring June 30, 2023.

“I welcome the President’s decision to nominate a Republican commissioner and to fill a critical seat that has now been vacant for nine full months,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said. “We will need to receive both a formal nomination and all associated paperwork before proceeding to a hearing, which has not been scheduled at this time.”

James Danly is currently General Counsel of FERC. Before joining FERC, he was a member of the energy regulation and litigation group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom LLP. Previously, he served as a law clerk to Judge Danny Boggs at the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, was a managing director of the Institute for the Study of War, and was an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Danly is a former United States Army officer. He served two tours in Iraq, first with an infantry company in Baghdad and then on staff at Multi-National Force—Iraq, receiving a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Danly earned his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and his B.A. from Yale University.

FERC currently has two vacancies. One that must be filled by a Republican and one that must be filled by a Democrat. The five-member commission may not have more than three members from the president’s party. Trump has not announced intent to nominate a Democratic FERC commissioner.

“There are two vacancies on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and I am disappointed that the President has only announced his intention to nominate a Republican commissioner,” Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said. “FERC has a strong history of operating in a bipartisan fashion and failing to honor the tradition of a bipartisan pairing sets a dangerous precedent moving forward. I remain hopeful the Administration will quickly nominate a Democratic commissioner so we can consider nominations for both vacancies together and restore a fully functioning FERC. As Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I take the responsibility to review each nominee that comes before us very seriously. I look forward to meeting with Mr. Danly and reviewing his qualifications to serve as a FERC Commissioner.”