"President Obama's pick to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has asked that his name be yanked from consideration, citing a deadlocked Senate panel and stiff opposition from right-wing groups that turned the confirmation process into a 'blood sport.'"

"'I think it's a cautionary tale because you don't want agencies like the FERC to be subjected to this kind of political blood sport, which is what it became,' Ron Binz said during an interview today. 'There was a very large coalition of right-wing groups who coalesced to oppose me.'

Obama tapped Binz, a former Colorado regulator, to lead FERC in June and replace outgoing FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff for a five-year term at the agency's helm. The Arkansas native was a familiar face in the electric sector who had taken on big business in the telecommunication and energy industries and established Colorado's first office for consumer advocacy."

Hannah Northey reports for Greenwire October 1, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"FERC Nominee Binz Gives Up, Withdraws From Consideration" (E2 Wire/The Hill) [3]