ND's Clark waiting on federal appointment

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The chairman of North Dakota's Public Service Commission is getting a hearing this week for a top federal job.

Tony Clark has been picked for an opening on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. It oversees natural gas pipelines and the nation's electric power grid.

President Barack Obama nominated Clark in January. The commission opening is reserved for a Republican.

Clark's nomination is getting a hearing Wednesday in Washington before the U.S. Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven is a member of the committee.

Clark's appointment requires Senate confirmation, and he says he's not sure when there will be a vote. In the meantime, Clark says he'll just keep doing his job on the North Dakota utility board.

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