Former U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry is joining the board of the general partner that controls Dallas-based pipeline giant Energy Transfer LP.

The move puts Perry, who stepped down from his position at the Department of Energy in December, back at the table of one of the biggest pipeline operators in the U.S. Energy Transfer, founded by billionaire Kelcy Warren, has repeatedly made headlines for pursuing large projects and deals that don’t always go over well with shareholders and regulators.

Perry was appointed as a director of LE GP LLC on Jan. 1, according to a regulatory filing after the market closed Friday. Energy Transfer is structured as a master limited partnership. The limited partner -- Energy Transfer LP -- is publicly traded, while the general partner is closely held, with Warren holding a majority stake.

Perry previously served as a member of the board of Energy Transfer Partners before stepping down at the end of 2016.