Smoothing the path for new power lines -- ultimately the main sticking point in the deal that flopped in the Senate this week -- is going to get a whole lot harder next week after the anticipated departure of FERC Chair Richard Glick.

Here's why: Without Congressional intervention, FERC is the next best bet in improving the cumbersome process that makes it so difficult for large power lines to get built in this county -- lines needed to accommodate the flood of resources anticipated in a post-IRA world.