The US Senate, this week, confirmed Cheryl LaFleur as the fifth member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and reconfirmed Philip Moeller for his second term.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate procedures and schedules at the federal and state levels for development of hydrokinetic energy projects off the California coast.

President Obama announced his intent to nominate Cheryl A. LaFleur as the Commissioner of FERC and reappoint Philip D. Moeller for another term.

The Senate, last Thursday, confirmed John Norris to be the newest member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Norris is currently serving as chief of staff for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. He served as the chairman of the Iowa Utilities Board from 2005 to 2009.

FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly will not be seeking a third term at FERC. President Obama had recently nominated Kelly to her third term but her nomination was pending in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Following a Memorandum of Understanding in April 2009, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Minerals Management Service s(MMS) have issued a guidance document that clarifies a lot of the process and jurisdictional questions regarding development of hydrokinetic projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

President Obama has nominated John R. Norris, Chief of Staff for Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, to serve as the Commissioner at FERC.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between FERC and the State of Washington to streamline the regulatory structure for development of hydrokinetic projects in Washington.

After months of row between FERC and Mineral MMS under the DOI over jurisdiction over renewable energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf, the two agencies signed a MOU yesterday that clarifies each agency's roles and responsibilities.