In Episode 7 of Future-Proofing Energy Insights, HData welcomed two federal energy regulation titans for a timely and candid conversation on the future of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Hudson Hollister, CEO of HData, was joined by two former FERC Chairs. Jon Wellinghoff was appointed by President Obama and served as FERC Chairman from 2009–2013. Neil Chatterjee was appointed by President Trump and served as FERC Chairman in 2017 and again from 2018–2020. The guests each brought their unique perspectives on agency leadership, regulatory priorities, and the role of technology in understanding what’s ahead.
This episode focused on transitions of power at the FERC and explored insights we could potentially glean from past orders, dissents, and concurrences—especially under current Chairman Mark Christie.
In a moment when the energy industry is facing surging demand, embracing evolving technologies, and struggling with increased political scrutiny, the discussion offered clarity, wisdom, and a powerful demonstration of HData’s analytics in action.
Let’s recap.
Two Journeys to the Chair
Chairman Wellinghoff described his early days at the FERC as having been marked by a steep learning curve, transitioning from a state-level consumer advocate to a federal commissioner. As chair, his role shifted from expressing individual values through dissents to building consensus among commissioners. “You do have that more ‘let’s get everybody together’ kind of thing,” he noted.
Chairman Chatterjee’s first term, by contrast, began amid crisis. With the FERC below quorum for seven months, he was confirmed in 2017 and immediately named temporary chairman to restore functionality. “I didn’t even know where the bathrooms were,” he joked.
Political pressures complicated the job, particularly when handling the Department of Energy’s controversial NOPR to compensate coal and nuclear plants.
His second term, after the passing of Chairman Kevin McIntyre, was shaped by a commitment to independence and good governance. “I was not going to be the political creature that I was the first go-round,” he said.
Learning from the Past: Why Dissents Matter
Both chairs agreed: If you want to understand where the FERC is headed, study the public record. “Those dissents and concurrences certainly reflect your values,” Wellinghoff said. “And your emphasis and perspective of where you want to go.”
Chatterjee added that for current Chairman Christie, his time at the Virginia State Corporation Commission is equally instructive. “He is stubbornly consistent,” Chatterjee said. “Having an analytical tool that can really reflect upon his past opinions is an accurate predictor of where he might go.”
What Can We Expect from Chairman Christie?
Using HData’s platform live during the session, Hudson demonstrated how quickly key themes can be extracted from years of FERC orders. With a few quick queries, he compiled a reverse-chronological list of dissents filed by then-Commissioner Christie and surfaced several clear patterns:
- Skepticism of transmission incentives (e.g., CWIP, abandoned plant cost recovery) that he viewed as wealth transfers
- Strong deference to state regulatory authority
- A focus on consumer protection
- Caution against regulatory overreach and a desire to keep the FERC within its statutory boundaries
Wellinghoff confirmed that these themes align with his own observations. “He believes our [incentives] are in essence charging consumers too much money,” he said, linking Christie’s position to his own consumer advocacy roots.
Chatterjee, too, emphasized the value of tracking how views evolve. “Christie dissented on the original transmission planning rule, but then came back around and voted in favor of 1920-A,” he noted. “Being able to synthesize the delta between those two orders is just so helpful.”
Technology That Supports Clarity and Confidence
Both former chairs expressed admiration for how HData’s tools enable quick, comprehensive insights into complex regulatory trends.
“You just pulled this out while we were talking. This would take 10 billable hours at a law firm,” Wellinghoff said. Chatterjee added, “I wish I had a tool like this when I was serving on the Commission.”
For Chatterjee, the implications go beyond the commission: “It applies beyond advocacy… investors making investment decisions can turn to a tool like this to help them be informed.”
A Moment for Leadership and Unity
Despite differences in background and political alignment, Wellinghoff and Chatterjee exemplified a shared commitment to principled leadership. Both expressed admiration for Chairman Christie’s current stewardship of the commission during a volatile time.
“Chairman Christie is a profile in courage,” Chatterjee said. “He’s getting key and necessary orders out the door while protecting the agency from noise and interference. I really admire him for that.”
As the conversation wrapped, the camaraderie between the two former chairs stood out. “We both love basketball,” Chatterjee joked. “And he’s a good friend.”
Watch On Demand
This discussion offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how policy is shaped and how technology can support smarter energy regulation.
If you missed the live session, you can watch the full episode on demand any time: Future-Proofing Energy Insights: The Future of the FERC