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.
• 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 Chair Neil Chatterjee said at a recent Politico event that he fears the commission will become politicized under the White House and future administrations.

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.

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.

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 yesterday.

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Sen. John Kennedy plans to introduce an amendment to the reconciliation bill that would require congressional approval of a $1 billion pot of Defense Production Act money that the Senate banking panel added to the bill.

Why it matters: The $1 billion fund would enable the president to direct money toward energy companies, LNG, coal plants, and critical minerals mining, Kennedy said.

• "I'm very uncomfortable with government picking winners and losers, because when the government picks winners and losers in the private sector, government consistently picks losers," Kennedy said.

Zoom in: The energy funding and IRA tax credits remain among the biggest disagreements in the GOP's reconciliation bill as it races to tweak provisions to win House support.

• The Senate parliamentarian's moves in recent days to strike provisions raise pressure on Republicans to find cuts elsewhere.

What's next: Majority Leader John Thune expects to start voting Friday on the reconciliation bill, he told Axios Hill Leaders in an exclusive interview.

• Kennedy told reporters last night that lawmakers were working through three sticking points: IRA tax credits, SALT, and Medicare provisions.
• The bill was "being held together by happy thoughts and spit," he said.

☢️ 1. NRC chair: Senate Environment and Public Works' confirmation hearing tomorrow will consider another term for NRC Chair David Wright.

• The panel will also hear from Usha-Maria Turner, nominated to be EPA's assistant administrator for the Office of International and Tribal Affairs.

⚡️ 2. Mark my words: Energy and Commerce announced a full committee markup tomorrow to consider 13 energy bills that E&C's energy subcommittee marked up early this month.

👩‍⚖️ 3. Legal debates: Senate Judiciary's hearing tomorrow will assess "China and the left's lawfare against American energy dominance."