BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- U.S. Sen. John Hoeven is urging his Senate colleagues to quickly confirm North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
President Barack Obama nominated Clark for one of five seats on the commission that regulates electric transmission lines and natural gas pipelines. The Senate energy committee held a hearing on the nomination Tuesday.
Hoeven worked closely with Clark while Hoeven was governor of North Dakota. He says Clark's experience, his work in North Dakota and his chairmanship of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners make him ideal for the FERC.
Clark said during the two-hour hearing that his hands-on experience helping regulate and shape energy policy in North Dakota during an energy boom has given him "unique experience" he would bring to the commission.
