Dive Brief:

• After almost a decade as one of the nation's top energy regulators, FERC Commissioner Philip Moeler issued a statement yesterday indicating he will step down from the commission at the end of this month.
• Moeller, who said he would pursue other opportunities in the energy sector, was nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by both President George W. Bush in 2006 and President Obama in 2010.
• News of Moeller's impending departure broke in May, when SNL reported Pat McCormick III, Republican chief council to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, as the commissioner's likely replacement. However, SNL reported this week that McCormick is no longer in the running, and prospects are "murky." 

Dive Insight:

News broke earlier this year that Moeller would not pursue another term at the commission, but the FERC regulator has now made it official by issuing a statement saying he intends to step down at the end of this month.

"I express my gratitude to both President Obama and President Bush for nominating me as Commissioner and to the members of the United States Senate who confirmed me," he said. "I thank my colleagues for all of their hard work in improving the energy industry, members of the public who help inform our decisions, and the staff at FERC for their dedication and support throughout my two terms, especially the members of my office team."

Throughout his terms, Moeller pushed for the regulatory agency to take on a more active role dealing with regulations such as the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, SNL reported in May. 

Before working on the commission, Moeller served as an energy policy advisor to U.S. Senator Slade Gorton (R-Wash.), from 2007 to 2010, working on electricity policy, electric system reliability, hydropower, energy efficiency, nuclear waste, energy and water appropriations and other energy legislation. 

Moeller called FERC "an amazing agency," and said "after leaving the commission I plan to pursue other opportunities in the energy field.” 

McCormick's name floated up as Moeller's likely replacement, when SNL reported his name had been sent in May to the White House for consideration. Previously he was a partner at Hunton & Williams LL. However, SNL reported this week that MCormick is no longer in the running, and prospective replacements are fuzzy at the moment.