On September 9, 2021, President Biden announced his intention to nominate the current Chairman of the D.C. Public Service Commission (DCPSC), Willie L. Phillips, Jr., as a Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Willie Phillips has served on the DCPSC since 2014 and as Chairman since 2018, and has led initiatives to modernize the energy grid, implement the District’s clean energy and climate goals, and protect ratepayers. Phillips also served as Assistant General Counsel for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

FERC Commissioner positions require Senate confirmation, and if confirmed, Phillips would provide Democrats a 3-2 majority on FERC, replacing Republican Neil Chatterjee. Philipps’ nomination comes at a time when the Commission is reviewing consequential decisions on environmental justice, greenhouse gas emissions, efforts to ease the transition to renewable energy resources, and financial assurances requirements for hydropower licensees.

A Senate hearing to examine Chairman Phillips’ nomination is scheduled for October 19, 2021.