James Coleman
Much like the rest of the country, parts of Colorado were faced with extreme heat and record high temperatures at various points throughout the summer. And with this weather untraditional to the state, new questions have been raised about the power grid. Though it’s generally been able to stand up against extreme weather, these events, and the increased demand on electricity they result in, may put a strain on the grid.
Tasked with answering those questions and ensuring our nation’s energy network remains reliable, even in the face of climate change and extreme weather, is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is not widely known but has an outsized role in something many of us take for granted — electricity transmission. The small independent agency within the U.S. Department of Energy oversees the nation’s electric and natural gas industries, including regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil.
Currently leading the commission is Acting Chairman Willie Phillips, who previously served as a commissioner and was elevated to the lead role by President Joe Biden in January. Phillips’s appointment represented a turning point for our nation’s energy future. He made history as the first African American chairman in the 45-year history of the agency. And President Biden can and should take advantage of the chance to solidify the historic nature of Phillips tenure by nominating him to the role of permanent chairman through the end of his term in June 2026.
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Beyond that, his appointment came at a time when grid reliability and the transition to clean energy are primary focuses. These are two areas for which Phillips helps to drive regulatory rulemaking and policy around.
Phillips, throughout the early part of his tenure, has been backed by many. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee praised him and the output of the commission in a May committee hearing. And his earlier appointment to the commission in 2021 garnered unanimous support on the floor of the Senate — a rarity in an increasingly partisan political landscape.
His support has also spanned Congressional caucuses and external third-party groups. The Congressional Black Caucus has weighed in on multiple occasions voicing their support, with their most recent letter pushing President Biden to nominate him as permanent chairman. Additionally, outside groups like the Black Economic Alliance, the Joint Center for Political and Economic studies, and the American Association of Blacks in Energy have all backed Phillips. And his recent role in approving regulations that will speed up connecting clean-energy projects to the grid has seen a positive response from many, including clean-energy groups.
Separate from that, Phillips has shown he intends to make positive inroads on his priority areas — environmental justice, equity, reliability and transmission. He previously held an environmental justice and equity roundtable and is continuing to emphasize environmental justice in all of FERC’s decision making. He’s also taking major steps on reliability, including through efforts to improve grid readiness against extreme weather — a move surely to benefit Coloradans.
Throughout the course of his career, Phillips has gained a level of expertise and skill that makes him well equipped to succeed in the long run as FERC chairman. He’s held roles in both state (the District of Columbia Public Service Commission) and federal energy regulatory bodies and has also served as assistant general counsel for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, giving him a useful understanding of regulatory compliance.
Across the board, Phillips has the requisite experience for the job and in the early part of his tenure, he has already shown an ability to work effectively and get big things done on behalf of the American people. Whether it’s regulatory rules around transmission, efforts to improve reliability or a commitment to environmental justice, his early moves have been extremely beneficial. He needs to be given the time to continue this work. President Biden needs to back him completely and nominate him for permanent chairman – it’s the best decision for our changing energy landscape.
State Sen. James R. Coleman is a Denver native who has served in the State House and currently is the second Black Senate President Pro Tempore in Colorado’s history. Coleman is the founder and chief executive of numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Black Capital Foundation. He lives in Denver with his wife Shayna, and twin children James Jr. and Naomi.