President Donald Trump has named Laura Swett chair of FERC, the commission announced Oct. 24.
Swett was sworn in as a commissioner Oct. 20. Her term expires June 30, 2030.
“I am honored to serve as chairman of FERC and grateful for President Trump’s confidence in me to advance America’s energy priorities at such a critical moment in our nation’s history,” Swett said in a statement. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and FERC’s excellent staff to continue the commission’s crucial mission of ensuring reliable and affordable energy for all consumers.”
Swett takes over from David Rosner, who said at FERC’s open meeting the previous week that he would be happy becoming a commissioner again. Rosner was something of an interim chair, holding the office for only a few months after Mark Christie left the commission in August.
Swett was confirmed alongside David LaCerte to open seats on the commission Oct. 7. The two are Trump’s first nominees in his second term in the White House. (See Senate Confirms Swett, LaCerte to Open Seats on FERC.) LaCerte has not yet been sworn in as of press time.
Swett is no stranger to FERC, having been a staffer for former Chair Kevin McIntyre and Commissioner Bernard McNamee. She has been litigating FERC law for 15 years, which includes representing utilities, transmission owners and pipelines, most recently at Vinson & Elkins.
She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and law degree from Georgetown University. She lives in Virginia with her family.
