Massachusetts native to lead federal energy agency

(The Boston Globe, November 21, 2013)

Massachusetts native and former National Grid executive Cheryl A. LaFleur will become acting chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of oil, natural gas, and electricity. LaFleur will replace Jon Wellinghoff, who is leaving the commission after nearly five years at its helm. LaFleur’s promotion to head of FERC is expected to be formalized shortly by the White House. She was first appointed to the commission by President Obama in 2010 and, according to her agency biography, her priorities have been strengthening the reliability and security of power delivery systems and promoting regional planning for transmission projects.