this room today says volumes about how the federal energy regulatory commission, or ferc, as many of us call it has emerged from the bureaucratic shadows. the commission's job -- the commission's job is to regulate interstate natural gas pipelines and electric transmission lines. ferc plays a central role in the debate over how these industries should evolve in the 21st century. there are questions, for instance, about what, if any role ferc should play in epa's plan to curb greenhouse gases. should ferc ensure that the epa plan doesn't harm the reliability of the grid? questions such as that show why the commission's profile has never been higher. in the center of the spotlight, of course, is our guest speaker today, cheryl lefleur. she was nominated to the commission by president obama in 2010. she has been acting chairman and then chairman since november of 2013. she joined ferc after a career as a senior utility industry leader in the northeast. she retired in 2007 as acting ceo of national grid usa which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers. the first person in her family

here in this room today says volumes about how the federal energy regulatory commission, or ferc as many of us call, it has emerged from the bureaucratic shadows. the commission's job -- the kigs'skigs commission's job is to regulate interstate natural gas pipelines and electric transmission lines. ferc plays a central role in the debate over how these industries should evolve in the 21st century. there are questions, for instance, about what if any role ferc should play in epa's plan to curb greenhouse gases. should ferc ensure that the epa plan doesn't harm the reliability of the grid? questions such as that show why the commission's profile has never been higher. in the center of the spotlight of course is our guest speaker today, cheryl le fleur. she was nominated to the commission by president obama in 2010. she has been acting chairman and then chairman since november of 2013. she joined ferc after a career as a senior utility industry leader in the northeast. she retired in 2007 as acting ceo of national grid usa, which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers. the first

t t d ptsr cerfis within a rigid, unworkable time frame. a g.a.o. report concluded that ferc's people line permitting process is predictable and consistent, with 91% of pipeline applications receiving a decision within 12 months. during committee testimony last congress, even industry representatives agreed that the current permitting process is, and i quote generally very good end quote. it's not every day that regulators in industry agree that the current system works. so, why would we move forward on a bill that disrupts the system that works is beyond me. in fact, this bill makes it more likely that ferc will deny more projects just to comply with a severe timeline. in massachusetts we're dealing with the proposed tennessee gas pipeline, which would run through parts of my district and would cut through a number of environmentally sensitive lands, including northfield state park and the montague aquifer and management area. yesterday in the rules committee, i offered an amendment with my good friend, congresswoman tsongas, whose district would always be affected by the prop

volumes about how the regulatory commission or ferc as many of us call it has emerged from the bureaucratic shadows. the commission's job is to regulate national gas pipelines and electric transmission lines. ferc plays a central role over how these industries should evolve in a 21st century. there are questions about what if any role ferc should play in epa's plan to curb greenhouse gases. should ferc and sure the plan does not harm the reliability of the grid? questions such as that show why the commission's profile has never been higher. in the center, is our guest speaker today, cheryl muffler. -- cheryl lafleur. she was nominated to the position by president obama in 2010 and has been acting chairman since november 2013. she joined ferc after a career as a senior utilities industry leader in the northeast. she retired in 2007 as acting ceo of national grid usa which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers. the first person in her family to go to college, she holds an undergraduate degree from princeton and a law degree from harvard. according to the national press cl

regulate interstate natural gas pipelines and electric transmission lines. ferc plays a central role in the debate over how these industries should evolve in the 21st century. there are questions, for instance, about what, if any, role ferc should play in epa's plan to curb greenhouse gases. should ferc insure that the epa plan doesn't harm the reliability of the grid? questions such as that show why the commission's profile has never been higher. in the center of the spotlight, of course, is our guest speaker today, cheryl lafleur. she was nominated to the commission by president obama in 2010. she has been acting chairman and then chairman since november of 2013. she joined ferc after a career as a senior utility industry leader in the northeast. she retired in 2007 as acting ceo of national grid usa which delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers. the first person in her family to go to colleger, she holds -- to college, she holds an undergrad from princeton and a law degree from harvard. according to our archivist, she is the first chairman of ferc to speak at a national pres

through a lot of transition as the generation mix in the country changes, and ferc is is doing a lot of work that it needs to continue to make sure the market rules in the market designs are written to support the investment and resources. we put out a few will assurance order earlier this year, that is one example of that effort and we have been doing a lot on the capacity arc it. working all this out so we can -- markets. working all this out so we can meet climate goals, while keeping these big regional markets, won't be easy, and it's going to require exactly the kind of open dialogue i spoke of earlier this week. fortunately, this is the kind of hard touring unsexy, dirt under the fingernails work that ferc does. we work on the underbelly of every energy issue and this is where our work is going to be in making those markets work. because if we don't, we'll either lose the markets, and take a giant step back in how we run our grid or we won't achieve our climate goals. despite all our work, we still have reliability problems. reliability will have to be maintained by mechanisms lik

february time frame. and so depending on ferc finishing that process, that would allow us to move forward with our final determination. >> thank you. as we all know, the estimates of what the actual reserves are is sort of a moving target. it started slower and seems to be expanding greatly. i like the way mr. eisenberg framed it that everybody's winning. but i'm curious to know from you, mr. eisenberg and mr. durbin, as these estimates of the vast resource change, how do your projections on the economic impact that will have in job creation and manufacturing resurgence how does that change in your estimates and how closely are you monitoring that as we look at what the vast reserves actually provide? >> so we -- our policy, and frankly, the will of the manufacturers that i speak for is to have a stable secure, and consistent supply of natural gas. and so -- because we use it not only for electricity, but also as a feed stock for the many things that we do. >> right. >> that's a lot of what i do for a living. that's basically -- you know, we need to keep an eye on the policies tha

extensive and but a predictable process -- during the ferc process d.o.e. is one of the cooperating agencies. so they're part of that effort as well. >> it sounds as if the ferc process is a much longer process than what d.o.e. has to do once approved. >> it is a longer process. but d.o.e. is part of that process. and to d.o.e.'s credit during this entire time, not on a case by case basis, but they've been engaged in the studies that have been raised several times here when you look at the broader natural interests, the economic impact. and those are ongoing. that's why our feeling is, having gotten through the ferc process, they've got the foundational items they need at that point, in a timely and specific way, and can make a determination. >> okay. so i think the rest of you will -- you agree that it's a ferc process that's really sort of the big question mark. so you wouldn't expect additional -- or increased applications as a result of this bill. and yet i don't want to open a can of worms, but are you okay with the ferc process? >> again i'll speak for anga. we believe the end for the

the february time frame. and so depending on ferc, finishing that process, that would allow us to move forward with our final determination. >> thank you. as we all know, the estimates of what the actual reserves are is sort of a moving target. it started slower and seems to be expanding greatly. i like the way mr. eisenberg framed it that everybody's winning. but i'm curious to know from you, mr. eisenberg, and mr. durbin, as these estimates of the vast resource change, how do your projections on the economic impact that will have in job creation and manufacturing resurgence, how does that change in your estimates, and how closely are you monitoring that as we look at what the vast reserves actually provide? >> so, we -- our policy, and frankly, the will of the manufacturers that i speak for is to have a stable, secure, and consistent supply of natural gas. and so -- because we use it not only for electricity, but also as a feed stock for the many things that we do. >> right. >> that's a lot of what i do for a living. that's basically -- you know, we need to keep an eye on the po

from ferc. ferc. i believe the stems with our commitment to act expeditiously and effectively in addressing the departments responsibility under the natural gas act requirement. in conclusion, madam chair, i pressure the committee's interest in discussing this very important issue with the department of energy and i look forward to this discussion. we understand the significance of this issue as well as importance of getting these decisions right. with that i'll be happy to answer any questions the committee might have. >> thank you mr. smith. mr. cicio. >> chairman murkowski, ranking member cantwell and members of the committee thank you for this opportunity to do today. my name is paul cicio, and i'm president of the congressional energy consumers of america. we are an industrial consumer advocate. ieca is not opposed to lng exports. however, today there is no energy public policy decision more important than whether or not to improve and lng export facility for 20-30 years. the reason is that all risks associated with the export of lng fall on the consumer. the larger the lng

is that. i know new york is your hood, debra, but i'll take a ferc show over the potomac over -- a fireworks show over the potomac over a glorified disco ball any day. >>> the already the new year in moscow. these are fireworks near the iconic st. basil cathedral and now to paris, an elaborate light show and fireworks. not bad. >> three, two, one. [ cheering and applause ] >> happy new year in dubai. you're looking at center stage for a new year's fireworks display that just wowed the audiences below. >> much of the west will be ringing in the new year with freezing temperatures, snow and wind. >>> these bitter cold are creating hazardous conditions just east of los angeles firefighters rescuing more than 100 drivers trapped in the snow. this year's rose bowl parade is going to be the coldest in its 126 year history. >>> winds beached several ships off catalina island off the california coast. two people were killed including a harbor patrol officer who jumped into the water tuesday night when his boat nearly crashed into the rocks. >>> back at home get ready to bundle up. >> first

in the 1870's, she was a woman of means. i love it. she has this wonderful wrap with ferc, pearls, and this prominent roach the left broach. this is a piece she loved very much. sometimes we like to speculate. did she buy it in paris will she was having her portrait done yet? or did she buy it later and have the artist add it later? regardless of how came about there is no question this was a unique piece of jewelry that she owned and she wanted it painted as much as she wanted her face in it. i love this piece. it is one of my favorite examples of the gilded age portraiture. >> our contemporary public is absolutely mesmerized by those who are glamorous and rich and famous and beautiful. most of the materials in this gallery were owned by individuals who everybody emulated in their day. from our perspective, in our egocentric manner, we think that we invented the cult of celebrity and glamour. i think it is very important to know that on the contrary, we did not do it. there was an echelon of social figures and theatrical figures who were constantly in the press, constantly interv

from a public interest determination. third, is it appropriate to make the decision before the ferc process is completed. right now doe starts its process after approval. but that requires more than just review review. all of these are important questions that will have for today's hearing. thank you so much for giving our colleagues a chance to be here to discuss this issue. i would say besides the five members who have very -- support for this legislation and some of it has already been implemented, we have great concerns about what is the impact of in as it relates to pricing midwest and to natural gas. i being from a hydrostate am always very aware of how energy is the lifeblood of the economy and how it has built the northwest economy over and over again. i want to understand how this will impact also our big industrial users and the impact. look forward to having questions from the panelists who are here today to testify. thank you. >> thank you, senator cantwell. i want to note for the record senator portman was added was co-sponsor to this bill as we appreciate his involveme

appropriate for d.o.e. to make the decision before the ferc process is started. right now d.o.e. starts its process after approval. the bill would require the department to start after the nipa process is complete. it includes a robust comment period to vet the citing of these facilities. all of these are important countries that we'll have for today's hearing madam chair i think so much thank you so much for giving our colleagues a chance to be here to discuss this issue. i would say besides the five members who have very -- support for this legislation and some of it has already been implemented, we have great concerns about what is the impact of this as it relates to pricing, the midwest and natural gas. i being from a hydrostate am always very aware of how energy is the lifeblood of the economy and how it has built the northwest economy over and over again. i want to understand how this will impact also our big industrial users and the impact. look forward to having questions from the panelists who are here today to testify. thank you. >> thank you, senator cantwell. i want to note for

work. i might also add that this legislation does not in any way change anything that ferc has responsible for in approving siting of these natural gas pipelines and facilities for export. so we are not affecting in any way any environmental aspects of it. i might also say that the reason this bill is being introduced is because we think that the department of energy has been dragging its feet a little bit. they have responsibility over the commodity of the natural gas and they have to go through a process. this legislation also applies only to nonfree trade agreements that the u.s. deals with. since 2010 the department of energy has issued a final decision on five of the 37 applications to export l.n.g. to countries where the u.s. does not have a free trade agreement. authority to regulate the export of natural gas arises under section 3 of the natural gas act. this provision creates a rebuttable presumption that a proposed export of natural gas is in the public interest. there are 18 countries where we have these free trade agreements. but d.o.e.'s process to review applicati

ferc chairman follow our lead and come see us at the national press club. i would also like to thank the national press club staff including its journalism institute and the broadcast center for organizing today's event. finally here's a reminder you can find more information not only about today's event but all of our activities at the national press club at the national press club website. that's press.org. also, if you'd like to get a copy of today's program you can go to that website, press.org. thank you very much. we are adjourned. >>> we're live on capitol hill this morning as the house banking committee is meeting to mark up or finalize a bill introduced by bob kirk and robert menendez that would introduce a new bill if there is a file your to sign iran. this is live coverage on c-span3. >> the free iran act of 2015. i'd like to commend at this time senators kirk and senators menendez for their tireless efforts and i mean tireless over so many months putting this legislation together. earlier this week we heard testimony from senior administration officials and a panel of exp