"Split Senate Panel Approves FERC Nominees, Bill To Fast-Track KXL"

"The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee [Wednesday] confirmed Norman Bay to take the helm of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after receiving assurances from the White House that he will remain a commissioner for at least nine months.

Following a high-stakes and at times confusing back and forth, the committee's 12 Democrats and Republican Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada voted in favor of Bay to lead the agency, while the committee's remaining nine Republicans all voted against Bay.

The panel also voted to approve Cheryl LaFleur, the agency's current acting chairwoman, to another five-year term as a commissioner, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) casting the lone dissenting vote."

Hannah Northey reports for Greenwire June 18, 2014.