As of July 17, 2025, the White House named David LaCerte, an official in the US Office of Personnel Management, to fill a vacant seat at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. [1] LaCerte has served as the principal White House liaison and senior advisor to the director of the OPM since January 2025. The Office of Personnel Management is the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the federal government. LaCerte contributed to Project 2025, organized by the conservative Heritage Foundation to assist with the presidential transition effort. LaCerte has a background in energy litigation and environmental, safety, and incident response issues. If confirmed by the Senate, LaCerte would serve for the remainder of former FERC Chairman Willie Phillips’ term, which expires June 30, 2026. If confirmed, FERC would have a 3-2 Republican majority. It is currently split between Republicans and Democrats 2-2.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-d743/