Federal Utility Regulator On Course To Be GOP-Free

The nation's utility regulator is losing its Republican commissioners, in a GOP hemorrhage that doesn't look like it will be corrected any time soon.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, charged with governing the nation's electricity supply and reliability, is supposed to be comprised of an equal share of Republicans and Democrats as part of a five-member panel, with the chairman holding the party of whomever is in the Oval Office. Most believe a fully staffed commission functions the best, no matter the party in control.

But the Republicans on the commission have been dropping off, beginning with the long-serving Philip Moeller, who moved on last year after serving since the George W. Bush administration. He is now with the Edison Electric Institute, representing the investor-owned utility industry.

Commissioner Tony Clark is the next to go. Clark announced via Twitter a week ago that he would not seek another term on the commission. His term ends at the end of June, after serving a five-year term. His office confirmed his planned departure.

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