U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced David LaCerte as President Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Cassidy highlighted LaCerte’s background, noting his service as a combat veteran in the United States Marine Corps, his legal education at Louisiana State University, and his work as an attorney focusing on energy litigation. Cassidy also mentioned LaCerte’s experience in private practice with Sternberg, Naccari & White in New Orleans and his role as Special Counsel at Baker Botts, where he advised clients in the energy sector.
LaCerte’s public service includes leadership positions at the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and federal appointments such as White House liaison and Senior Advisor to the Director for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. He previously served at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, overseeing responses to major chemical incidents across the country.
During his remarks, Cassidy said: “Thank you, Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and fellow committee members.
Today, I have the great privilege of introducing David LaCerte as the nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Welcome, David!
Mr. LaCerte is a lot of great things—a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps, an attorney, a true conservative, a husband to Emily, and a father to four beautiful children who are here today and who attend St Jude the Apostle and Our Lady of Mercy schools in Baton Rouge!
And most importantly, he is a Louisianan!
David attended law school at Louisiana State University before going on to become a highly successful attorney, working on energy litigation.
He practiced privately at Sternberg, Naccari & White in New Orleans before serving as Special Counsel at Baker Botts, advising clients in the energy sector on some of the most complex challenges facing the energy industry today.
After rising through the ranks at the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, he was appointed to serve in various federal positions, including, most recently, as a White House liaison and Senior Advisor to the Director for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, where he continues to offer his counsel.
Prior to that, he served a term appointment at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, where he oversaw the agency’s response to major chemical incidents nationwide. That role gave him hands-on experience with energy infrastructure and safety at the national level—an invaluable perspective for a FERC Commissioner.
David’s firsthand exposure to the state’s energy economy—combined with his legal and regulatory experience—gives him an intuitive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the LNG industry.
Speaking plainly—Louisianans know Liquefied Natural Gas.
David understands how to move projects forward while protecting workers, communities, and taxpayers. He knows what’s at stake—and how to get results.
President Trump is unleashing American energy.
We need a FERC Commissioner who will help him do it.
That’s David LaCerte.
David, thanks for answering the call to continue serving the American people.
With that, I yield.”
The nomination comes as President Trump seeks officials aligned with his administration’s efforts related to domestic energy production and regulation.
