Energy and Natural Resources Committee considers nominees for DOI, FERC

The Senate Committee Energy and Natural Resources recently held a hearing to consider four candidates nominated by President Trump for key positions at the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Joe Balash was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at DOI. Ryan Nelson was nominated to be Solicitor at DOI. Kevin McIntyre and Rich Glick were nominated to be
members of FERC with McIntyre designated as FERC’s chair.

“Having these two FERC nominees before our panel puts us one step closer to ensuring the agency has a full complement of five members,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who chairs the committee, said. “After finally restoring a working quorum last month, this will enable FERC to address a significant backlog of pending matters that reach far and wide into the national economy.”

In her opening statement, Murkowski introduced the nominees and thanked them for their willingness to serve the nation. She was especially enthusiastic about introducing Balash, who is a fellow Alaskan.

“I’m delighted to have Joe before the Committee today,” Murkowski said. “He’s a fellow Alaskan, which should be enough to convince everyone to vote yes on his nomination. I’ve worked closely with Joe during his time in the Senate and at Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources, and I think he’ll be an excellent Assistant Secretary at Interior.”

As Assistant Secretary, Balash will oversee the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and other agencies within DOI.