Laura Swett, new chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, on Monday filled high-level staff positions, including a staffer out of the White House personnel office to serve as her chief of staff.
Swett, who was sworn in as a commissioner and designated chair last week, named McKenna Skeeters as her chief of staff and James Dawson, a colleague at her former law firm Vinson & Elkins, as FERC general counsel.
The key leadership posts could shape the direction of FERC as the U.S. grid faces mounting challenges from data center demand, clean energy expansion and electric reliability concerns. The selections come as the White House continues to assert control over FERC and other independent agencies, issuing executive orders that mandate reductions in force, the repealing of regulations and adherence to President Donald Trump’s view on legal matters.
Skeeters was previously a special assistant to Trump and oversaw personnel portfolios for the departments of Energy, Interior and Transportation. She also served in various positions for the Republican National Committee.
