Phillips is originally from
Fairhope, Alabama, and attended the
University of Montevallo. Phillips was assistant general counsel for the
North American Electric Reliability Corporation. He previously worked in private practice in energy policy. In 2014 he was appointed to the
District of Columbia Public Service Commission. Mayor
Muriel Bowser appointed him chairman in 2018. At the DCPSC, Phillips approved the merger of
Exelon and
Pepco in 2016, which was challenged by D.C. Attorney General
Karl Racine but upheld by the courts.
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, taking office on December 3, 2021. Phillips sees himself as a consensus-builder. After the expiration of Commissioner
Richard Glick's term as chairman, Biden named Phillips acting chairman of the commission. In July 2023, the
Congressional Black Caucus wrote to President Biden to make Phillips the permanent chairman, but the White House stated he was still the acting chairman, pending confirmation of a new chair, though observers state there is no difference. On February 9, 2024, Biden officially designated Phillips as chair. resulting in criticism from environmental advocates. One of Phillips's priorities at the agency was to accelerate power plant interconnection and transmission planning. In July 2023, it approved a rule directing how grid operators study proposed projects, which Phillips called "historic." Phillips has also emphasized
grid reliability during his term: in May 2024, FERC approved a rule regarding interstate electricity transmission and cost-sharing of large projects. Phillips resigned from the commission in April 2025 following a request from the Trump administration. == References ==