Robert Powelson

Last updated
Robert Powelson
Robert Powelson official portrait.jpg
Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
In office
August 10, 2017 –July 1, 2018
President Donald Trump
Preceded byPhilip D. Moeller
Member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
In office
2008–2017
Personal details
Political party Republican
Education Saint Joseph's University
University of Pennsylvania

Robert F. Powelson is an American nonprofit executive and former government official who currently serves as president and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies. He was a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 2017 until 2018. Powelson previously served as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 2008 until 2017, and he is a past president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the United States federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas in interstate commerce and regulates the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce. FERC also reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas pipelines, natural gas storage projects, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, in addition to licensing non-federal hydropower projects.

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is the public utility commission in Pennsylvania. It is composed of five commissioners, appointed by the Governor with the consent of the state Senate. The PUC oversees public utility and services operations in the commonwealth, in sectors including water, energy, and transportation.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) is the national association representing the state public service commissioners who regulate essential utility services, including energy, telecommunications, and water. NARUC members are responsible for assuring reliable utility service at fair, just, and reasonable rates. Founded in 1889, the Association is a resource for its members and the regulatory community, providing a venue to set and influence public policy, share best practices, and foster solutions to improve regulation.

Powelson was previously president of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. He has served on the board of directors of the Electric Power Research Institute and Drexel University. [1]

Chester County, Pennsylvania County in Pennsylvania, United States

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The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI), is an American independent, nonprofit organization that conducts research and development related to the generation, delivery, and use of electricity to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, affordability, health, safety, and the environment.

Drexel University Private research university in Pennsylvania, United States

Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. Founded as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, and Industry, it was renamed Drexel Institute of Technology in 1936, before assuming the name Drexel University in 1970.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

In May 2017, Powelson was nominated by President Donald Trump to become a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. [2] [3] [4]

Donald Trump 45th and current president of the United States

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At his confirmation hearing, Powelson said he would work to address delays in the approval of natural gas pipelines and spoke favorably about liquefied natural gas exports. [5]

Liquefied natural gas natural gas converted to liquid form for storage or transport

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4, with some mixture of ethane, C2H6) that has been cooled down to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. It takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state (at standard conditions for temperature and pressure). It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. Hazards include flammability after vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing and asphyxia. The liquefaction process involves removal of certain components, such as dust, acid gases, helium, water, and heavy hydrocarbons, which could cause difficulty downstream. The natural gas is then condensed into a liquid at close to atmospheric pressure by cooling it to approximately −162 °C (−260 °F); maximum transport pressure is set at around 25 kPa (4 psi).

He was confirmed by voice vote on August 3, 2017.

On June 28, 2018, he announced that he was resigning from FERC to become president and CEO of the National Association of Water Companies. [6]

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References

  1. ↑ Maykuth, Andrew (March 9, 2017). "Trump tabs Chesco PUC member for federal post, report says". Philly.com. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  2. ↑ "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". The White House. May 8, 2017. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  3. ↑ Heidorn Jr., Rich; Brooks, Michael (May 25, 2017). "Updated: No Fireworks for FERC Nominees at Senate Hearing". RTO Insider. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Traywick, Catherine (May 8, 2017). "Trump Names Nominees for U.S. Energy Agency Crippled by a Missing Quorum". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "FERC nominees offer support to LNG, pipelines". Argus Media. May 25, 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "FERC Commissioner Robert F. Powelson Statement". June 28, 2018.
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