You know that video of a U.S. House member giving a “Fergalicious”-themed floor speech? It turns out that representative went to college right here in Vermont.
On Wednesday, in a nod to Fergie and will.i.am’s mid-aughts hit “Fergalicious,” U.S Rep. Sean Casten gave a floor speech to promote the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, referring to a number of energy-saving practices as “FERCalicious.”
“I rise to continue our celebration of Hot FERC summer,” the Illinois congressman began, before launching into a speech teeming with puns based on the pop song’s lyrics.
Casten graduated from Middlebury College in 1993 with a degree in molecular biology and biochemistry, and still has ties to his alma mater. Last October, he penned an opinion column for Middlebury’s student-run newspaper, urging students to vote, particularly in light of climate change.
“When I graduated from Middlebury in 1993, we were at 353 ppm. Today, at the age of 49, we are over 410 ppm,” Casten wrote, referring to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
Casten is a self-described “climate nerd.” His speech Wednesday is one of two he has given this month to highlight the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — and the second inspired by popular music.
“So listen up y’all – cause this is it,” Casten said on the House floor Wednesday, borrowing a line from Fergie’s 2006 hit. “The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or better known as the F to the E to the R to the C) is one of the most important federal agencies to fight climate change — and if I’m doing this right, one that a few more of you are now keeping tabs on.”
In a press release about his unconventional campaign to promote the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Casten noted that last month was the hottest June on record for the U.S.
“We have a moment to take scientifically necessary climate action, but we don’t have many moments left,” he said in the release.
The main purpose of Casten’s floor speech was to introduce the Right to Timely Hearings at FERC Act, a bill that would set a new deadline for the commission to respond to requests for rehearings, according to the press release. Casten originally introduced the bill in May 2020, but it did not receive a vote.
His unusual means of promoting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is “more than just a dad-joke,” Casten said in a statement his communications director shared with VTDigger, and he hopes people will celebrate the commission’s work.
— Abigail Chang