On March 8, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Cheryl A. LaFleur for Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”).  If confirmed by the Senate, LaFleur would fill the seat vacated by Suedeen Kelly in December 2009 for a term to expire on June 30, 2014.

LaFleur has 20 years of experience in the electric and natural gas industry.  She started as a part-time attorney in 1986 with the former New England Electric System.  During her career with National Grid and its predecessors, LaFleur served as President and Chief Executive of National Grid’s New England distribution companies, and before that, held positions as General Counsel and Vice President of retail marketing.  In 2006, LaFleur became acting CEO of National Grid’s U.S. electric distribution business.  She retired in 2007 as Executive Vice President and acting CEO and joined The Steppingstone Foundation as CEO.

In March 2007, as acting CEO of National Grid, LaFleur was a part of a lobby group called Investors and Business for U.S. Climate Action.  The group asked Congress to set up mandatory targets to reduce U.S. carbon emissions.

In addition to nominating LaFleur, President Obama also re-nominated FERC Commissioner Philip Moeller to serve a second five-year term, expiring on June 30, 2015.