Quick Facts
Biography
Robert F. Powelson is an American nonprofit executive and government official who currently serves as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. He previously served as a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 2008 until 2017, and he is a past president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
Powelson was previously president of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. He has served on the board of directors for the Electric Power Research Institute and for Drexel University.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
In May 2017, Powelson was nominated by President Donald Trump to become a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
At his confirmation hearing, Powelson said "If confirmed, I will bring a steadfast commitment to upholding FERC's mission to ensure that the rates and terms of service by which utilities operate are just and reasonable and will do my part to uphold the public interest standard to which the agency is bound." He said he would work to address delays in the approval of natural gas pipelines and spoke favorably about liquefied natural gas exports.
He was confirmed by voice vote on August 3, 2017.