Recent Executive Actions On Agency Independence—Not-Quite-Hot Takes For FERC

In a spate of executive orders and other actions over the last several weeks, the new administration has moved to exert unprecedented control over independent regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). With so many directives coming out of the White House, this alert aims to provide one-stop shopping for the key actions affecting FERC and what changes these actions may—or may not—portend. We also discuss FERC Chairman Mark Christie's comments at a February 20, 2025 press conference and analyze some of the issues he left unresolved.

The bottom line: These actions will profoundly change the relationship between FERC and the elected administration. For energy companies, and others in industries that have traditionally interacted principally with independent agencies, one clear takeaway is this: It will be important to attend to relationships and policy priorities not just at FERC, but also at the White House and in the Executive