"Critics say FERC, the independent overseer of power markets and pipelines, is at risk of becoming a tool of the administration."

"Add the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to the list of technocratic regulatory agencies thrown into turmoil as President Donald Trump’s appointees seek to steer its agenda.

Current and former regulators, staffers and industry officials say Trump and his chosen chairman, former Mitch McConnell aide Neil Chatterjee, have politicized an independent agency typically known for nonpartisan rulemaking on issues including natural gas pipelines and regional power markets. The dissension has made it difficult to retain staff, fill a vacant commissioner post and issue rulings on critical issues facing the nation’s electricity supply.

The tension has escalated in the past two years as the White House and Energy Secretary Rick Perry have pressed FERC to endorse financial support packages for economically ailing coal and nuclear plants — many supplied with coal or owned by allies of the president."

Gavin Bade reports for Politico August 5, 2019. [2]