Unanswered questions about President Donald Trump’s energy plans have deepened with reports that he intends to name David Rosner, a centrist Democrat, to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
No official announcement had been made as of Monday. But a White House official confirmed to POLITICO an earlier report that Rosner, who has served on the commission since last June, would be elevated to FERC chair — at least temporarily.
Former Chair Mark Christie left the post on Friday. Trump has nominated energy attorney Laura Swett and White House adviser David LaCerte, both Republicans, to fill vacancies on the commission. But political observers speculated that the current long waiting times for Senate confirmation of a series of Trump nominees could have prompted the administration to make Rosner chair for now. Rosner is a veteran of energy policy and regulatory circles in Washington.
Grid analysts and lobbyists continue to expect that Rosner’s tenure will last only until Swett can win Senate confirmation to join FERC, and that she will lead the commission during the balance of Trump’s administration.
