WASHINGTON -- Ron Binz, the Colorado energy regulator nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the post in the face of resistance from conservative and fossil fuel groups.
Binz released a statement on Tuesday morning (via National Journal):
Last evening I asked the President that my name be withdrawn from further consideration as his nominee to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It appears that my nomination will not be reported favorably by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I am withdrawing so that the President can move forward with another nominee, allowing the FERC to continue its important work with a full complement of commissioners.
Binz's nomination met objections from coal interests and conservative groups, as well as Republicans and a key Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. It was unusual for a FERC nominee to draw so much scrutiny, given the relative obscurity of the commission.
The Koch-backed group American Energy Alliance, which led the effort to tank the Binz nomination, issued a statement Tuesday morning celebrating Binz's withdrawal and cautioning the president against nominating "anti-carbon zealots for the nation's top energy posts."