Ex-Trump DOE chief to depart electric utility group EEI

Dan Brouillette, who served as secretary of energy under President Donald Trump, announced Monday he intends to leave as president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute, the advocacy group for investor-owned utilities in the United States.

Brouillette, who was chosen to lead the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) a little more than a year ago, said in a news release he wants to be more involved in international energy and security issues stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict between Iran and Israel as well as China’s increasing assertiveness. Brouillette did not offer details.

Brouillette will depart “later this year,” he said in the press release. He was sworn in as energy secretary during the Trump administration in December 2019. Before landing the top job at DOE, Brouillette was deputy energy secretary under Rick Perry between 2017 and 2019. Previously, he held high-level jobs at Ford and the U.S. automotive industry.

The former head of DOE said he will continue his current relationship with the KBH Energy Institute at the University of Texas in Austin. Brouillette said the EEI board has asked him to be a special adviser to the EEI throughout 2025.

“We thank Dan for his service at EEI and look forward to his continued contributions to the future of American energy,” said EEI board chair Maria Pope in the press release.

Pat Vincent-Collawin will acting as interim president and CEO while EEI searches for a new leader. Vincent-Collawin is currently listed as Chair, President & CEO at PNM Resources, an electricity provider for New Mexico.