The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) membership has been reduced to three, the minimum number required for votes to take place. Commissioner Bernard McNamee’s last day was September 4. His term ended June 30 but he agreed to stay on for an additional two months. The three remaining members are Chairman Neil Chatterjee and Commissioner James Danley, both Republicans, and Democrat Commissioner Richard Glick. President Trump has nominated Mark Christie, a Republican who is Chairman of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, and Democrat Allison Clements, of the Energy Foundation, to fill the two Commission vacancies, but it is unclear whether either nomination will receive consideration by the U.S. Senate before the Congress adjourns for the year.

FERC Now Has a Bare Quorum to Function

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.