In response to the news that the White House pressured Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Willie Phillips, a Democrat who chaired the Commission under former President Joe Biden, Evergreen Action Senior Power Sector Policy Lead Charles Harper released the following statement:

“The White House pressure campaign that led to Commissioner Phillips’ resignation is deeply alarming. FERC is an independent agency, and its commissioners should not be pushed out to serve anyone’s political agenda, no matter who occupies the Oval Office. Forcing Phillips out sets a dangerous precedent and politicizes a nonpartisan agency that Americans count on to keep the lights on and the grid stable.

“Let’s be clear: Commissioner Phillips has every right to serve out his full five-year term. Trump has no legal authority to replace him over policy disagreements. This is a power grab, plain and simple, meant to clear the way for decisions that benefit Trump’s fossil fuel benefactors. FERC Commissioners must stand firm, reject political interference, and continue the critical, independent work the public depends on.”