Trump to nominate Virginia SCC's Mark Christie for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Trump to nominate Virginia SCC's Mark Christie for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
By MEL LEONOR Richmond Times-Dispatch 12 hrs ago

President Donald Trump is nominating Mark Christie, chairman of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, to fill a seat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

In announcing the move, the White House called Christie “one of the nation’s longest-serving utility regulators,” noting that he has served on the SCC for 16 years.

Christie’s departure would further leadership changes at the three-member SCC. Last month, Gov. Ralph Northam appointed Judge Jehmal Hudson to the commission to replace former Judge Patricia West.

Christie was elected to the SCC by GOP-controlled legislatures in 2004, 2010 and 2016; his current six-year term expires in 2022. His departure will allow Democrats, who control the statehouse and governor’s office, to have their candidates hold the majority on the commission.

Christie, a former president of the Virginia Board of Education, previously served as counsel to Gov. George Allen and as director of policy in the Republican governor’s administration. Christie is also the former president of the Organization of PJM States, a collective of 14 regional utility regulators.

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