[vmatt]

The whole idea of an independent regulatory commission is that the President has no influence except through the appointments process. And it's been shown here that no Bush appointees were serving when this decision was made.

DOE Organizational Chart

[Southern Federalist]

Yes, on the organizational chart the FERC is not under the Secretary of Energy appointed by the president but parallel to him. I'm glad you take my point. Those who need a further example might consider how much leverage Bush seems currently to have with the U. S. Civil Rights Commission.