On Wednesday, President Obama announced his intention to nominate John R. Norris as Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”). Currently, Mr. Norris is Chief of Staff for Secretary Tom Vilsack at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), a position he has held since January of this year. Prior to joining the USDA, Mr. Norris was Chairman of the Iowa Utilities Board from 2005 until 2009. If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Norris would fill the seat of former Chairman Joseph Kelliher, who left FERC on March 13.