Binz Hearing Opens as Nominee to Head FERC Draws Fire

In a press release issued before the hearing, CEI analyst William Yeatman argued, “Binz’s record as Colorado PUC chair makes it clear that he’s a green energy booster. It’s no wonder why green energy special interests are orchestrating an unprecedented collaboration with Binz to advance his nomination.”

Indeed, a variety of renewable energy groups have rushed to Binz’s defense, though his supporters also include Xcel Energy, which was the main target of the Colorado Clean Air Clean Jobs Act. In an unusual move for a normally obscure agency nomination, the groups hired a Washington D.C. public-relations firm to help coordinate support even before his nomination was formally announced by the president.