On April 28, 2017, the Associated Press reported that Federal Energy Regulatory Commissioner Colette Honorable will not seek reappointment after her term expires in June. Honorable’s departure leaves FERC with just one commissioner, far short of the three commissioners needed for a quorum. Without a quorum, natural gas pipeline projects totaling more than $10 billion in investment could face significant delays in obtaining the FERC permits necessary for construction. On March 9, 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump was prepared to nominate three republicans to the commission, but the senate has yet to receive the formal nominations.
According to the Associated Press: “Lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm at the prolonged vacancies. Senate Energy Committee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has pressed the White House for months on the issue to no avail.”