Mark Christie, chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said Thursday he wants more detail on President Donald Trump’s executive order asserting direct control over independent agencies but downplayed concern that the order is an over-the-top power grab by the White House.
The Trump order signed this week directs FERC and other independent federal agencies to submit “significant regulatory actions” for White House review, and it would make the president the final arbiter on questions of how to interpret laws.
“We already submit major regulations that have economic impacts,” Christie said, speaking during his first open meeting as commission chair.
Still, Christie said what the Trump order requires for routine cases before FERC isn’t clear. “One thing that’s undefined and I’m going to seek a detailed response is the EO talks about ‘regulatory actions,’ which is sort of a nebulous term,” Christie said.
