FERC chairman Christie says Swett to replace him
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.
Cathy Landry | Washington Correspondent
Cathy Landry has worked over 20 years as a journalist, including 17 years as an energy reporter with Platts News Service (now S&P Global) in Washington and London.
She has served as a wire-service reporter, general news and sports reporter for local newspapers and a feature writer for association and company publications.
Cathy has deep public policy experience, having worked 15 years in Washington energy circles.
She earned a master’s degree in government from The Johns Hopkins University and studied newspaper journalism and psychology at Syracuse University.
