Republican freshman Rep. Julie Fedorchak is gaining a lot of power in Republican’s energy and environment plans in the very beginning of her first term. It’s probably for a good reason.
That’s because the North Dakota lawmaker may be, on arrival, the most experienced on energy issues on Capitol Hill. For 12 years, she led North Dakota’s Public Service Commission, overseeing electric utilities, natural gas pipelines and more, and was the president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners until late last year.
Republican energy leadership noticed her energy chops quickly. This month, she was awarded with a unique opportunity to serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee as a freshman, giving her a powerful voice on energy and grid issues.
Her move to Energy and Commerce was aided by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who took the same path as Fedorchak from North Dakota’s PSC to the House in 2013. He told Republican leadership there’s not one lawmaker in the House who can rival Fedorchak’s experience and voice.
