US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Chairman Mark Christie late June 2 said on X and LinkedIn that President Donald Trump nominated former FERC advisor and Vinson & Elkins attorney Laura Swett to replace him when his term expires at end-June.
“I learned this evening from a media inquiry that Pres. Trump has appointed Laura Swett to replace me when my term expires,” Christie wrote. “I congratulate Laura and wish her the best. I will remain in office for a few weeks after June 30 to help get key orders out.”
ClearView Energy, in a client note June 3, predicted Trump would elevate Commissioner Lindsay See, a Republican and former Solicitor General of West Virginia, to head the commission on an acting basis over the summer, or until Swett’s nomination clears the US Senate.
Swett previously served as a senior adviser to former FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre and Commissioner Bernard McNamee, both Republicans. She currently represents pipeline developers and electric power companies in energy litigation before the commission and advises clients on environmental regulation and transmission policy, according to Vinson & Elkins’ website.
ClearView Energy noted that the nomination, expected to be formalized shortly by the White House, could indicate the administration’s intent to prioritize natural gas pipeline permitting and oil pipeline rate setting over power sector policies, which it may shift to the Department of Energy (DOE) instead of FERC.
Trump elevated Christie to chairman in January after asking former Chairman Willie Phillips, a Democrat, to step down (OGJ Online, Jan. 22, 2025).
If confirmed by the Senate, Swett would serve a 5-year term ending June 30, 2030.