The two nominees to open seats on FERC, Laura Swett and David LaCerte, both cleared the committee in largely party line votes of 12-8 in a hearing.

Permitting reform legislation is starting to move through Congress, with a key House committee holding a hearing and supporters lobbying legislators, though actually passing a bill is tough in any political climate.

FERC nominees Laura Swett and David LaCerte took questions from senators at a confirmation hearing, including many about the future of independent agencies.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the growing demand for power and how to address it.

The U.S. Senate voted to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee to be secretary of energy, Chris Wright, 59-38, days after confirming Doug Burgum as secretary of the interior.

Trump's nominees for energy and interior secretary cleared the ENR committee on bipartisan votes and now head to the floor where Senate leadership has been working to approve his cabinet picks.

Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Energy, positioned himself as a supporter of an all-of-the-above approach to developing generation and transmission before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.