Now in front of the paywall as well: www.politico.com/news/2025/04...

Commissioner Judy Chang also said this to Phillips in her closing remarks: "Thank you very much for your leadership. And as we transition -- perhaps -- I just want to say how privileged and honored I am to be working with you."

Fair enough! Certainly up for debate how much it will cool the politics. Maybe by a degree or two.

Sounds like some of the most significant concessions are to states. Not surprising, given Christie is now on board and Red states were some of the strongest opponents of the initial final rule.

Full presentation below:

www.ferc.gov/news-events/...

Protests disrupted the proceeding. The current presentation is on the winter outlook, we haven't gotten to 1920A yet.

Commissioner Christie is concurring in part!

“Virtually the entire order is in front of the commission for potential amendments,” he told me last month.

“With the new commissioners, I hope there is a possibility to ensure a sufficient state role to protect consumers in an amended rule, so we’ll see how it works out."

Commissioner Mark Christie, who strongly opposed this rule but voted in favor of the original NOPR, said changes to the rule could be sweeping. He also said he could be brought on board if the commission offers more cost protections for states.

Rosner also said last month that he would like to see more consensus on this rule:

“What are some things that we can do to turn down ... the political temperature that some people think this rule is taking, in ways that are directionally consistent with what that rule is trying to do?”

Now, conceivably, the two other Ds might agree with much of what the rule laid out. Judy Chang certainly has strong transmission credentials and David Rosner has indicated he agrees with the spirit of the rule. I don't know enough about R pick Lindsay See to speculate where she might land.

This is a unique relook at the rule because only 1 of the regulators who voted in favor of the rule -- Chair Phillips -- remains on the commission.

Red states opposed the rule because they say it could force their ratepayers to pay for projects necessitated by Blue state clean energy laws.

Those and other protests landed in the 4th Circuit this summer. Now, the commission may address those challenges next Thursday.

Recall: This is the big planning and cost rule issued in May on a 2-1 vote (Chair Phillips, then Commissioner Clements in favor, Commissioner Christie dissent).

The rule requires long-term planning from RTOs and sets the economic criteria for considering benefits to customers, two huge steps.