Ex-FERC Chair Offers Trump Advice on ‘Schedule F’ Layoffs, Sparking Concerns of Energy Sector Turmoil

Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) chair Neil Chatterjee has offered to assist former President Donald Trump in identifying energy regulation employees for potential layoffs as part of a broader MAGA-inspired restructuring of the civil service, according to a report by Politico. This proposal, centered around the controversial “Schedule F” classification, has stirred apprehension among energy experts concerned about the stability of the nation’s power infrastructure.

“For the @realDonaldTrump transition team – it [sic] you want schedule F insight on who to keep and who to remove @ferc please DM me,” Chatterjee posted on X (formerly Twitter), indicating his willingness to provide guidance on personnel decisions at FERC. Shortly after his initial tweet, he added, “They reached out 7 minutes after I tweeted this.”

In a follow-up with Politico, Chatterjee clarified that he had advised Trump’s team, saying, “These are offices you could squeeze from. These are offices where you really don’t want to tinker, because we’re talking about the reliability of the electric grid.” His comment points to the complexity of staff cuts within FERC, which plays a critical role in overseeing interstate pipelines and electricity markets, particularly as the nation faces growing demands on its energy infrastructure.

“Schedule F” is a reclassification measure originally introduced by Trump in 2020, which would strip certain federal employees of merit-based job protections, allowing the administration to remove them at will or replace them with loyalists. Although President Joe Biden reversed Schedule F upon taking office, Trump could revive the classification in a second term, as envisioned by the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

The project, crafted by Trump allies, proposes sweeping changes across federal agencies to prioritize political loyalty and efficiency. Chatterjee’s involvement with Trump’s transition team has drawn backlash from former FERC officials, who warn of potentially negative impacts on the agency’s effectiveness. According to Politico, his offer has “drawn criticism from other former FERC officials, who warned it could prompt an exodus of talented staff at the agency that regulates the nation’s interstate pipelines and electricity markets at a critical period for the power industry.”

Chatterjee himself was demoted from his position as FERC chair by Trump in 2020, although he continued to serve as a commissioner afterward. The potential for significant staffing changes within FERC comes at a time when the reliability of the U.S. power grid is under heightened scrutiny. Utilities, grid operators, and state regulators are increasingly concerned about the grid’s capacity to ensure reliability while accommodating the rise in new energy generation sources, including renewable energy and natural gas plants, which are needed to meet surging energy demands driven by data centers and a resurgence in manufacturing.

An exodus of skilled employees from FERC could create additional challenges in maintaining grid stability and overseeing these critical energy transitions. Adding to concerns is the possible involvement of tech billionaire Elon Musk, whose super PAC provided field operations for Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk has expressed interest in government reform and could join efforts to implement civil service changes, potentially leading purges that align with Trump’s Schedule F vision.

Chatterjee’s outreach and Schedule F discussions underscore the potential for dramatic shifts in the federal workforce, particularly in sectors as essential as energy regulation. For experts, the implications are significant, as FERC’s ability to ensure a stable and reliable energy infrastructure may be compromised by abrupt policy shifts or staffing reductions. As discussions of Schedule F and other reform measures continue, industry insiders are closely watching for developments that could impact the reliability and resilience of the nation’s power grid in the years ahead.