FERC
President Joe Biden appointed Phillips to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in September 2021 and he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on November 16, [8] taking office on December 3,2021. Phillips sees himself as a consensus-builder. [9]
After the expiration of Commissioner Richard Glick's term as chairman,Biden named Phillips acting chairman of the commission. [1] He is the first Black person to be serve as chair. [10] In July 2023,the Congressional Black Caucus wrote to President Biden to make Phillips the permanent chairman, [11] [12] but the White House stated he was still the acting chairman,pending confirmation of a new chair,though observers state there is no difference. [13] On February 9,2024,Biden officially designated Phillips as chair. [3]
Since Phillips became chair,the commission has approved multiple natural gas projects and pipelines, [14] resulting in criticism from environmental advocates. [15]
One of Phillips's priorities at the agency was to accelerate power plant interconnection and transmission planning. [16] In July 2023,it approved a rule directing how grid operators study proposed projects,which Phillips called "historic." [17] Phillips has also emphasized grid reliability during his term: [18] in May 2024,FERC approved a rule regarding interstate electricity transmission and cost-sharing of large projects. [19]
Phillips resigned from the commission in April 2025 following a request from the Trump administration. [20]
