DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Joseph Kelliher is joining FPL Group Inc. (FPL) to head up the Florida-based utility's federal regulatory operations.

The move comes as Congress is set to debate a cap-and-trade program regarding carbon-dioxide and other emissions. At the same time, FPL has become the nation's largest solar and wind power generator.

Chairman and Chief Executive Lewis Hay III noted, "Federal regulatory issues are increasingly complex and affect the company in new ways as we have grown to encompass energy operations in 27 states."

Kelliher served 3 1/2 years as FERC chairman under President George W. Bush, departing the post in January. During that time, the agency was restructured and more steps regarding oversight and reliability standards were taken, according to an FPL statement. Kelliher previously spent time as an Energy Department official and House Commerce Committee attorney.

-By Kevin Kingsbury, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-2136; kevin.kingsbury@dowjones.com