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Capitol Source: Energy expert Bill Cooper tapped as executive director of Fiscal Board

By on September 13, 2016

Bill Cooper, president of Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, listens during a panel discussion at the Bloomberg Link Oil & Gas Conference in Houston, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. The first-ever Bloomberg Oil & Gas Conference will explore the global implications of the U.S. on the verge of energy independence, as well as the broader themes in the world of natural resources. Photographer: Aaron M. Sprecher/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bill Cooper (Aaron M. Sprecher/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

SAN JUAN – Bill Cooper, the former president of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG), a trade association of LNG producers, shippers, terminal operators and developers, and energy trade associations has reportedly been tapped to become the executive director of the federal oversight board established by the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (Promesa).

WASHINGTON - AUGUST 06: Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) speaks during a news conference with Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL) and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R) in the U.S. Capitol August 6, 2008 in Washington, DC. Putnam and other House Republicans are calling on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to reconvene the chamber and vote on the American Energy Act, a Republican bill designed to address America's dependence on foreign oil. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“It is a done deal, Bill Cooper is going to be the executive director of the federal control board,” said one lobbyist on Capitol Hill tied to the GOP. “The fact that he has ties to the energy sector is no coincidence.”

Cooper, who had been involved with the energy sector, came on board with Chairman Rob Bishop to help in the drafting of  Title V of the Promesa legislation, as well as other provisions. “In the first draft of the Promesa legislation, Chairman Rob Bishop had some pushback from environmentalists,” said the source. “Bill came on board to soften the language in the legislation and was instrumental in achieving a draft that could build consensus.”

At this writing, the fiscal oversight board is reportedly meeting in Washington, D.C. Yet to be determined is where the board will be based.

Carlos García, José Carrión III, Andrew Biggs, David Skeel, Arthur González, José Ramón González and Ana Matosantos are the seven voting members that were appointed to the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management & Economic Stability Act’s (Promesa) fiscal board. The governor of the island, or his designee, acts as a non-voting member.

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