Likely Energy Regulator Nominee Was Advocate for Coal Bailout (1)

Bernard McNamee, expected to be nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, was an advocate for the now-rejected Energy Department proposal to bail out coal and nuclear plants.

He supported Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s proposal to keep certain coal and nuclear plants afloat through government bailouts, which FERC unanimously rejected in January.

If McNamee were to be nominated and confirmed to a Republican seat as FERC commissioner, the White House may have an opening to push its pro-coal and nuclear policies in the commission. He has served as executive director of the Energy Department’s Office of Policy