Environmentals asked FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee to recuse himself from the commission’s resilience dockets because of his advocacy for coal and nuclear plants during his time at the Department of Energy.

The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 on Thursday to confirm Bernard McNamee as a FERC commissioner, restoring the commission to full strength.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced FERC nominee Bernard McNamee to the full Senate in a 13-10 party line vote.

Senate Democrats pressed Bernard McNamee to recuse himself from the resilience proceeding at FERC due to his role in crafting a controversial DOE proposal.

FERC Chairman Chatterjee met with reporters at commission headquarters in D.C., where he praised Commissioner Kevin McIntyre's tenure as chair.

President Trump nominated the Department of Energy’s Bernard McNamee to replace former FERC Commissioner Robert Powelson.