Illustration: Aïda Amer / Axios
The White House wants FERC to do more fast-tracking of fossil fuels to shore up electricity grid shortfalls, leading some agency watchers to fear the energy regulator will become politicized.
Why it matters: The Trump administration's approach follows its decision not to renominate FERC Chair Mark Christie, who staved off deep DOGE cuts.
- FERC watchers are expecting an overhaul following executive orders exerting White House oversight over independent agencies.
Driving the news: Gas and coal — so-called baseload power — are "the tried-and-true energy projects that are going to keep us from blackouts and brownouts," a senior White House official told me.
- "We really have to rethink how FERC is prioritizing the projects that are going to have the most baseload energy to help the grid," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss future plans.
- Wind and solar projects that make up about 95% of the projects seeking to connect to the grid are unreliable, the official said.
- Following Energy Department orders, FERC must also consider how much power companies can recover from consumers for running fossil fuel plants that had planned to shut down for economic reasons.
Friction point: Former FERC GOP Chairman Neil Chatterjee said at a recent Politico event that he fears the commission will become politicized under the White House and future administrations.
- A former FERC staffer close to Republicans — who spoke on condition of anonymity — told me last week: "DOGE is now setting its sights on FERC, alongside some other independent agencies."
Zoom in: Christie, a deal-making former Virginia state regulator, has been a fierce defender of FERC's independence.
- He blocked at least one attempt to terminate FERC staff on a DOGE list, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity.
- Christie repeatedly told reporters he fired "zero" people and had hired no White House or DOGE liaison as spelled out in the February EO: "I've been the liaison," he told reporters in April.
The White House didn't respond to requests for comment on why it decided to push out Christie instead of filling another vacant Democratic seat on the commission.
Yes, but: Larry Gasteiger, executive director of Wires who previously worked almost 20 years at FERC, has a rosier outlook.
- "There's always a bit of angst and hand-wringing over [FERC changes] — and then adjustments are made, and we move on," Gasteiger said.
Between the lines: Christie is the only FERC member to have supported both proposals from two regional grid operators this year to create a fast lane for power plants.
- Christie also backed taking actions last week to relax restrictions on natural gas development after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urged FERC to act.
Flashback: FERC became embroiled in controversy during Trump's first term when DOE Secretary Rick Perry ordered the commission to prop up coal and nuclear plants to bolster grid reliability.
- The commission rejected that directive after bipartisan backlash — but it's unclear how such a move may be received today.
What's next: No confirmation hearing has been scheduled for Laura Swett, President Trump's nominee to succeed Christie.
- Christie's departure "creates operational challenges" because the commission will have a 2–1 Democratic majority until Swett is confirmed, TD Cowen said in a research note Monday.
