Cheryl LaFleur has been named as Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by President Trump (announced January 26). Thursday afternoon Commissioner Norman Bay, who has served as Chairman since Aril 2015 submitted a letter of resignation, effective February 3. This leaves FERC with only two sitting Commissioners, three vacancies and no quorum.

LaFleur, a Democrat member of FERC since 2010, previously served as Chairman from July 2014 until April 2015. She was previously a utility industry executive. The now three vacancies that President Trump must fill will require Senate confirmation. They will presumably be Republican appointments since the other remaining Commissioner, Colette Honorable is also a Democrat.

LaFleur Named Acting Chairman of FERC; Commissioner Bay Resigns

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.