Trump appoints a contributor to Project 2025 to fill the empty FERC position
**David LaCerte and Laura Swett Nominated for FERC Seats**
David LaCerte and Laura Swett, both seasoned professionals with diverse backgrounds, have been nominated by President Donald Trump to fill vacant seats on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). If confirmed, they could shift the balance of power at the regulatory body.
David LaCerte, currently serving as the principal White House liaison and senior advisor to the director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), brings expertise in workforce relations, collective bargaining, and employee accountability to the table. He joined the OPM with the intention of helping craft policies in these areas, and his role as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government has provided him with a unique perspective.
LaCerte's professional journey also includes a stint as a special counsel at the Baker Botts law firm, where he focused on energy litigation, environmental, safety, and incident response issues. This experience has contributed to his understanding of energy-related legal matters, a critical aspect of FERC's work.
In addition, LaCerte has been involved in conservative policy initiatives, contributing to Project 2025, a presidential transition effort organized by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The project serves as a roadmap to "deconstruct the Administrative State."
If confirmed by the Senate, LaCerte would serve for the remainder of former FERC Chairman Willie Phillips' term, which expires on June 30, 2026. His confirmation, along with that of Laura Swett, could result in a 3-2 Republican majority at FERC.
Swett, an energy attorney at Vinson & Elkins, was also nominated for a FERC seat on June 2, 2022. If confirmed, she would assume the seat held by FERC Chairman Mark Christie. The exact timeline for the Senate to act on the nominations is unknown.
FERC, an independent federal agency, regulates natural gas infrastructure, wholesale electricity and gas markets, hydroelectric projects, and interstate electric transmission. Currently, it is split 2-2 between Republicans and Democrats. If both LaCerte and Swett are confirmed, this balance could be disrupted, potentially leading to significant changes in energy policy.
- The nomination of David LaCerte and Laura Swett to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) could bring shifts in energy policy, as their confirmation could result in a 3-2 Republican majority at FERC, impacting business and policy-and-legislation within the energy industry.
- Given his diverse background, David LaCerte's expertise in workforce relations, collective bargaining, employee accountability, and energy litigation could prove valuable in shaping FERC's approach to regulatory matters, particularly in finance and environmental safety.
- With both nominees being involved in conservative policy initiatives, their confirmation, along with the rebalancing of the FERC, could have far-reaching implications for the energy sector, making general news and sparking debates in politics.
