About FERC 
Office of Energy Projects
J. Mark Robinson, Director
Mr. Robinson joined the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 1978 and has been the Director of the Office of Energy Projects since 2001. This Office is responsible for, among other things, the licensing, safety and administration of approximately 1,600 non-federal hydropower projects, the siting of 500 to 2000 miles of interstate natural gas pipelines per year, and the siting and safety of Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals. During his tenure, the Commission has moved from only offering traditional approaches to certification and licensing to a regulatory environment that places a premium on flexibility and collaboration.
Mr. Robinson has been siting energy infrastructure from Alaska to Florida for over 25 years. During this time he has developed an understanding of both the process and the business objectives that lead to successful development. During his years of working with energy projects, Mr. Robinson has been a consistent advocate of sound development in a responsible fashion.
Mr. Robinson, an aquatic ecologist, attended North Carolina State University and received Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees from West Virginia University. After college and before joining the Commission he taught in the public schools and worked for The Institute of Ecology doing statistical analyses.
Mr. Robinson was born in St. Albans, West Virginia, and now lives in Reston, Virginia, with his family.
