Updated Feb 16, 2018 - Energy & Environment

GOP regulator says law compelled call on coal, nuclear

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had to reject a Trump proposal boosting coal and nuclear plants because it was "following the law," Neil Chatterjee, a member of the commission appointed by Trump says in an interview.

“I understand conservative frustration with it. It was a tough issue. Part of that stems from the judicious role that FERC plays. We’ve got to abide by the statutes that govern us. … I can understand how that’s frustrating to people. We are not betraying conservative principles. We are in fact following the law.”

Why it matters: Conservative websites like Townhall and Redstate had criticized the decision, claiming it was like President Obama hadn’t stopped running FERC. One of the articles also called wind and solar “fake energy.” Chatterjee said he did not agree with that.

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