New FERC Chairman Appointed After Christie’s Departure

Following last week’s announcement that the Chairman of FERC, the US federal energy regulator, was leaving the Commission with immediate effect (click here) - this week his successor was announced (click here).

What is it about?

• Mark Christie, who served at FERC as a Commissioner since 2021, was due to step down when his term expired on 30 June 2025. Christie, a Republican appointee, was announced as the Chairman of FERC in January 2025 at the start of the second Trump administration (click here).
• After swirling rumours from several sources that sitting Commissioner David Rosner (click here) would be announced as Christie’s likely replacement, this week his appointment was confirmed* (click here). Rosner, notably a Democrat-appointed Commissioner, was sworn in on 17 June 2024. Unlike for the appointment of new Commissioners, the appointment of the FERC Chairman does not require Senate approval.
• Christie’s departure means that FERC is left with only three Commissioners, and again reverts to a Democrat-appointed majority for the time being by two seats to one, with Commissioner See being the lone remaining Republican appointee. Two Republican appointments have however been named but are yet to be approved by the US Senate, a process which is expected to extend to the end of the year. The current three-person composition of the Commission meets the minimum quorum for official action such as issuing orders, rules, or decisions however.

To many 2025 will seem like a somewhat abnormal year in terms of the leadership and composition of key federal agencies relevant to the energy and commodity trading sector. The CFTC has also lost several of its Commissioners with replacements (including its new Chairman) yet to be confirmed leaving it dangerously close to being a Commission of one. The rapid appointment of Rosner will go some way in alleviating market concerns and the apparent bipartisan nature of the appointment may auger well for the future direction of FERC.

*Article updated on 13 August following Rosner's appointment