Trump taps Biden-appointed Democrat to head key energy regulatory agency

President Donald Trump is preparing to appoint David Rosner as the next chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency responsible for critical decisions on natural gas export facilities and power transmission lines.

According to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity with Bloomberg ahead of a formal announcement, the appointment would place a Democrat at the helm of a body central to Trump’s strategy for boosting US oil, gas, and coal production.

Rosner, initially appointed to FERC by former President Joe Biden, previously worked as an aide to then-Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat-turned-independent from West Virginia known for advocating in favour of coal and natural gas interests before leaving the Senate in January. The official said Rosner is considered supportive of Trump’s energy priorities.

FERC became a politically charged arena during Trump’s first term, as his appointees unsuccessfully sought to advance policies benefiting natural gas- and coal-fired power generation. That push has continued into his current term, now fueled by surging energy demand from the booming data-centre industry.

Last month, the nation’s largest electric grid operator reported a record-breaking $16.1 billion in its annual power capacity auction, highlighting the urgent need for more affordable electricity to support artificial intelligence infrastructure and other high-energy uses.

Rosner’s expected promotion—first reported by Axios—would fill the chairmanship recently vacated by Republican commissioner Mark Christie.

By Tamilla Hasanova