06.15.12

Hoeven: FERC Will Benefit from Clark's ND Perspective

Senator Administers Oath of Office to Clark, Thanks Him for his service to ND

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today thanked North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Tony Clark for his service to the state before administering the oath of office for Clark to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Clark was sworn in today for a four-year term as a commissioner at FERC, an independent agency responsible for regulating the interstate transmission of electricity and natural gas.

“Tony has done a tremendous job serving North Dakota on the Public Service Commission and we thank him for his service to our state,” said Hoeven. “We appreciate his willingness to continue serving on the national level and know that the FERC will benefit greatly from his knowledge of regulatory issues, as well as his North Dakota work ethic and common sense.”

Hoeven worked to secure Clark’s nomination and to gain the approval of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee and the full Senate for his appointment to FERC. The senator recommended him to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who submitted Clark for the Administration’s consideration. In January, the Administration approved Clark’s nomination and sent it to the Senate for approval.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, Hoeven worked to move the nomination through the committee and to secure Clark’s approval. The senator said that Clark’s work on the North Dakota Public Service Commission and as chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) qualified him for the national post. In April, the Energy Committee approved Clark, and on May 23, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him for the national post.

Clark was elected to his position with the North Dakota Public Service Commission in 2000, and re-elected in 2006. As commissioner, Clark has been active in state and regional efforts to develop North Dakota’s energy exporting potential and provide affordable, reliable energy to consumers. From November 2010 to November 2011, Clark served a one-year term as president of the NARUC, where he led the association on matters important to the regulatory community and utility consumers while working with state and federal lawmakers and key stakeholders. Before his work as North Dakota’s public service commissioner, Clark served in the state legislature for four years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from North Dakota State University in Fargo, and a master’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.