Cheryl LaFleur, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) who was the lone dissenter in the 2-1 approval of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, announced January 31 that she will not seek reappointment to the Commission when her current term expires in June. In a Twitter announcement, commissioner LaFleur said:

Today I am announcing that I am no longer seeking a third term at FERC, and will be leaving the Commission later in 2019. While this is not the outcome I had hoped for, I feel very lucky to have served on FERC for more than eight years (and counting).

The President will be required to name a Democrat to replace her to keep the required political party balance in place. There currently are two Republicans and two Democrats on FERC, with one Republican seat vacant due to the recent death of Commissioner Kevin McIntyre.

FERC Commissioner LaFleur Announces Intent to Not Seek Reappointment

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.