Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.) made the following statements regarding Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Kevin McIntyre’s response to their August letter regarding his Chief of Staff Anthony Pugliese:
"It was encouraging to hear Chairman McIntyre clarify that the Commission’s official orders, like the 5-0 rejection of the Trump coal bailout, are what count. However, speeches and interviews by the Commission’s top staffer that are laced with bad-faith partisan attacks serve to undermine FERC’s traditional impartiality and neutrality," said Senator Cantwell. “I hope Chairman McIntyre and each commissioner will publicly affirm that political and partisan statements perceived as prejudging an issue are not appropriate by the commission or staff."
“While I appreciate Chairman McIntyre’s assurance of FERC’s continued independence, I am disappointed that he failed to acknowledge in the least that the partisan comments of his Chief of Staff, Anthony Pugliese, were wholly inappropriate, unhelpful and distasteful," said Congressman Pallone. “To my knowledge, no other FERC Chief of Staff under either Republican or Democratic Administrations has used that position as a platform for partisan attacks. The Chairman should renounce Mr. Pugliese’s petty attacks and ensure that they are never repeated."
