David Rosner, new chairman of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, takes the rudder at a volatile moment as the costs and energy demands increase, the reliability and capacity of the mains are challenged and the highest administration of Trump in energy policy is available.
President Donald Trump elevated Rosner, a Democratic commissioner who joined the agency in June 2024, in the first place of August 12,
The American Clean Power Association said that the “balanced and pragmatic approach to politics and concern for the interests of all stakeholders will be critical, as the nation addresses the growing demand for electricity, costs and need for broadcasting and reliability of the extended network,” said CEO Jason Grumet in a statement. He said that Rosner is committed to evidence -based decision -making and is skilled to forge consensus.
Not all share this vision, with the nomination criticized by some environmental groups, including the Friends of the Earth. “Rosner has promoted the gas and fossil fuel industry for years and is too skewed to occupy this position,” the defense group said in a August 14th place on X. “Democrats who care about the climate must reject this pirate of industry.”
Democrat “non -partisan”
Rosner has almost two decades of experience in energy technologies, including his work as an analyst of the Ferc Energy Industry and as a senior policy adviser of the North -American Department of the Energy Policy Office and Energy Systems Analysis. He also turned two years of detail to the staff of the Senate Natural Resource Committee in the then President of President Joe Manchin (D).
Rosner, along with the current Ferc curators, Judy W. Chang (D) and Lindsay S., fill three of the five voting seats of the agency. Trump has appointed Republicans David Lacerte, senior consultant at the staff management office, and Laura Swett, an energy lawyer and former FERC adviser, to occupy the remaining seats. According to the media reports cited by no name, Rosner could be replaced by Ferc if Lecerte and Swett is confirmed.
Rosner replaced former President Mark Christie (R), who resigned on August 8 when he was not named after his tenure expired.
Jon Wellinghoff, CEO and founder of Gridpolicy Consulting and former President of the FERC in the Obama Administration, told Enr Rosner and believes that he would adopt a non -partisan approach to leadership, supporting a variety of energy projects including renewables and transmission technologies.
Wellinghoff said that an area of interest to Rosner will probably be technologies that improve the network: advanced technologies, such as digital switches and AI software that can be integrated into the transmission network to accelerate its development and improve functioning and efficiency. Before becoming President, Rosner expressed interest in these technologies, said Wellinghoff.
But once the Ferc is completely personalized, it is difficult to say if these technologies will get the majority support needed for the action.
“In the past it has been difficult to advance these things, mainly because public services are not rewarded properly financially [them] in place, “he said, adding – [utilities] They are not paid to be more efficient. Wellinghoff said he hopes that Rosner approaches financial incentives for public services to increase efficiency.
Although it is to be seen how the data centers will be integrated into the network, Ferc will be at the forefront of this effort and Rosner will probably be open to auditory suggestions, Wellinghoff said.
“If I had to summarize it in a sentence, [Rosner] It is a centrist Democrat that is a great option for the development of natural gas infrastructure, “said Zack Permonti, Vice President of Affairs of the Government of the National Association of Utility Contractors. The White House has reserved its work to accelerate the development of powers for data centers to promote the AI, which is another advantage, adding that he would also support the chair.
“For us, we hope that a completely energized FERC will accelerate the deadlines for projects and speed up the pace of approval of all forms of energy,” added Permonti.
The group of public services contractors, which presents an energy policy “all the previous ones”, is concerned about some actions of the Trump administration on renewables, and in particular, the wind from outside the sea, said Permonti.
“We have many members who work on the coast for the facilities off the coast, so we definitely concern the recent patterns around them,” said Permonti. The group plans to supervise if Rosner adopts an approach to energy policy, everything that is confirmed after confirmed the two remaining Republican candidates.
Recent activities
In a letter from August 27 to the director of the OPM, Scott Kupor, Rosner summarized the recent main activities of Ferc. Several actions are included under the Law of Natural Gas, such as supporting the development of infrastructure and issuing warnings to proceed with the construction and service for natural gas infrastructure. The defense of the agency of his orders was also noted in a federal court on certificates to authorize the construction and operation of natural gas pipes, and the environmental analysis issued by the FERC for the proposed infrastructure of natural gas and for proposed projects for hydroelectric projects under the Federal Power Act, as well as the participation in the National Guard of Virginia Virginia. Fortress Cyber Fortress Annual Tactical Tactical Exercises of Tactical Cyberian Operations.
