President Donald Trump has named Commissioner David Rosner as the new chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the primary regulator for interstate pipelines and energy networks across the United States.

The appointment, announced by the agency on Wednesday, is seen as a temporary move as two of Trump's Republican nominees await Senate confirmation.

Rosner, a Democrat who has served on the commission since mid-2025, will lead the independent agency responsible for regulating the nation’s power grid, interstate natural gas and oil pipelines, and liquefied natural gas projects. 

The agency is also responsible for regulating the construction, operation, and abandonment of pipeline projects by overseeing the siting, approval, and certification of both new and existing pipelines and other projects. 

Rosner’s appointment follows the departure of Republican Commissioner Mark Christie last week, leaving the five-member commission with just three members.

Trump in June nominated Laura Swett and David LeCerte to fill the vacant seats. The president has stated that he intends to appoint Swett as the next chair once she is confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate. 

If both Swett and LeCerte are approved, Republicans would hold a 3-2 majority on the commission.

Rosner, who has two decades of experience in the energy sector, said he was "honored" by the appointment. 

The change in leadership comes as Trump has voiced a desire to expand natural gas pipelines from Pennsylvania's gas fields to the Northeast, a move that has faced opposition from some states.