James P. Danly ’13 has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Danly is one of five FERC commissioners, who are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Danly previously served since 2017 as general counsel for FERC, where he directed the agency’s 200-lawyer Office of the General Counsel, oversaw the commission’s appellate litigation, and provided legal counsel to the commission’s chairmen and commissioners.
“FERC’s role as a regulator, though narrow, is profound,” Danly said in his statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which is chaired by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “The importance of the work the commission does in regulating electric and gas rates, permitting infrastructure, protecting the reliability of the bulk electric system, and overseeing our electric markets cannot be overstated. Every aspect of American life is touched by the work done at the commission.”
Before joining FERC as general counsel, Danly practiced with the energy regulation and litigation group at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Prior to that, he was a law clerk to Judge Danny Boggs at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Danly attended Vanderbilt Law School as a Thomas W. Beasley Scholar.
“Mr. Danly has an impressive academic and professional background,” said Sen. Murkowski, who spoke in the chamber in favor of the nomination. “This is the type of individual who knows his stuff, has a great grasp and a keen understanding of these energy related matters.”
