On May 28, 2013, various news outlets reported that FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff had tendered his resignation to President Barrack Obama. Although nothing official has been released by FERC, these same news outlets also reported that Chairman Wellinghoff intends to remain at FERC until his replacement is confirmed by the United States Senate. If no replacement is confirmed by June 30, 2013, the end of Chairman Wellinghoff’s term, he may hold-over until the end of the Congressional term or until a replacement is confirmed.
Chairman Wellinghoff was initially nominated to FERC in 2006 by President George W. Bush, and named Chairman by President Obama in 2009. Under Chairman Wellinghoff, FERC has issued several notable orders, including Order No. 1000 (see October 21, 2012 edition of the WER) and FERC’s largest ever civil penalty of $135 million for alleged market manipulation (see March 12, 2012 edition of the WER). Prior to joining FERC, Chairman Wellinghoff was in private practice, and served as the State of Nevada’s first Consumer Advocate for Customers of Public Utilities.