Binz Drops Out of FERC Consideration

In a move that comes as no surprise, Ron Binz has dropped his bid to chair the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Met with stiff opposition from Republicans and one Democrats, Binz was unable to earn the recommendation of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sinking his nomination.

"Last evening, I asked the president that my name be withdrawn from further consideration as his nominee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission," Binz said in a Tuesday morning press release. "It appears that my nomination will not be reported favorably by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I am withdrawing so that the president can move forward with another nominee, allowing the FERC to continue its important work with a full complement of commissioners."

All 10 Republicans on the committee reportedly opposed Binz's confirmation, as well as Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Binz was criticized by some on the committee for favoring renewable fuels over coal, though he has said he is not anti-coal.