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US energy regulator nominee criticised for pro-renewables stance Climate Spectator 19 Sep, 1 Reuters Republicans and some Democrats criticised Ron Binz in a hearing on Tuesday on his nomination to lead a key US energy regulatory agency as being non mainstream because his views on the nation’s energy future support renewable sources like wind over coal and natural gas.

Chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission from 2007 to 2011 and currently a regulatory consultant, Binz was nominated by President Barack Obama in July to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission .

His nomination was considered by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Committee in an often contentious three-hour hearing. No date has been set for a vote.

Some conservative and free-market groups have opposed Binz, citing comments that, among other things, natural gas is a “dead end” energy source, and saying Binz would orchestrate a push for renewable energy sources like wind over coal and natural gas.

A bipartisan group of 12 former FERC commissioners are among those who have spoken in favor of Binz. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the committee’s ranking Republican, ended the hearing by saying that she “reluctantly” could not support the nomination. The Alaskan said she was “not convinced” that Binz’s views were compatible with FERC’s mission……..http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/9/19/renewable-energy/us-energy-regulator-nominee-criticised-pro-renewables-stanc