Arnold Quinn, a prominent economist who heads the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Office of Energy Policy and Innovation, will be leaving the agency at the end of May. Quinn has been at the agency more than 15 years and has served in his current role since 2014.

In announcing the decision during the agency's May 17 open monthly meeting, FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre said he has personally relied on Quinn as the commission's top economist.

"I don't think it says that on his business card, but he's the top economist, and he's really one of our truly deep thinkers," McIntyre said. "I have grown to appreciate his judgment and his advice with regard to the complex policy and market matters that come before us."

Quinn has overseen the development and implementation of some of the commission's most important orders, including Order 890 aimed at preventing discriminatory transmission practices, Order 745 concerning demand response, Order 841 concerning electric storage, and several price formation orders.

Quinn "is a nationally recognized expert on market economics and has been a leading voice and thinker on most of the important rulemakings of the past decade," said Cheryl LaFleur, a commissioner and former chairman.