Trump Plans Democrat Rosner to Head Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Democrat David Rosner, a former aide to Senator Joe Manchin and appointee from the Biden administration, as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This appointment would place a Democrat at the helm of the agency crucial to Trump's strategy to promote American oil, gas, and coal. Rosner is viewed as supportive of Trump's energy priorities, continuing the focus on gas and coal industries despite FERC being a political battleground during Trump's first term. The agency regulates key infrastructure such as natural gas export terminals and power lines, with increasing demand driven by the data center boom and artificial intelligence development. Recently, the largest U.S. power grid's annual electricity auction hit a record $16.1 billion, highlighting the growing need for affordable energy. Rosner is expected to succeed Republican Mark Christie, who recently left the chairmanship.