FERC Appoints Mark Christie as Chair
Washington, D.C. - The Trump administration has appointed Mark Christie as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency responsible for regulating U.S. power grids and overseeing major energy projects.
Christie succeeds Democratic Chairman Willie Phillips. The position has become politically charged due to FERC's pivotal role in the energy transition. As the country grapples with increasing electricity demand and aging infrastructure, FERC faces unprecedented challenges.
During President Trump's first term, FERC's attempts to implement rules supporting coal and natural gas pipelines were largely unsuccessful. Additionally, investigations into energy market misconduct declined to record lows.
Today, energy demand is poised for unprecedented growth driven by data centers, electric vehicles, and building electrification. The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence underscores the urgency of upgrading aging infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events and address underinvestment.
Christie, who was appointed to FERC in 2020, previously served as Chairman of Virginia's State Corporation Commission for 17 years. He has consistently raised concerns about grid reliability due to underinvestment and extreme weather.