The Current

How do we ensure families can keep the lights on, and how can electric companies lead the charge? Jonathan Hirte, Director of Federal Affairs at DTE Energy, joins The Current to unpack how energy providers can play a pivotal role in expanding access to critical assistance programs like LIHEAP and Michigan’s MEAP. As August marks LIHEAP Action Month, this episode offers timely insights into how DTE...

How do lineworkers keep our electric grid resilient, reliable, and ready for the future? Drew Stover, Director of the Utility Department at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and a second-generation journeyman lineworker, joins host Kristine Telfer to discuss the critical role lineworkers play as energy demands and challenges continue to evolve. Show your appreciation for l...

We’re joined by Chet Wade, Communications Director of Partners in Wildfire Prevention, to discuss the coalition’s efforts to reduce the devastating impacts of wildfires through prevention and preparedness. As wildfires increasingly threaten communities nationwide, our guest highlights the need for a comprehensive national strategy focused on community protection, responsible investment, and rapid...

In this episode of The Current, we speak with Tony Clark, the executive director of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), an organization that represents state utility regulators across the nation. Our discussion focuses on the significance of energy security, both now and in the future. We explore how energy policies for electric companies, policymakers, and regula...

 In this episode of The Current, we reconnect with Eric Grey, Vice President of Government Relations at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). Our conversation explores how the priorities of the new administration will affect the electric power industry. Eric elaborates on important legislation that Congress is currently addressing, improvements to infrastructure, grid resiliency, and key wildfire p...

On this episode of The Current, we connected with Kregg Arntson, Executive Director of the Portland General Electric Foundation. He leads Project Zero, an initiative to inspire the next generation to explore clean energy challenges in the greater Portland community. Since 2020, they have shown more than 175K students how to combat climate change, earning them the EEI’s 2024 Corporate Citizen Progr...

In this episode of The Current, we delve into the vital topic of cybersecurity in the energy sector. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to explore how electric utilities are safeguarding the nation's electric grid from cyber threats. Our guests will share insights into the evolving threat landscape, the steps companies are taking to secure their systems, and...

August is LIHEAP Action Month, which recognizes the importance of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This federally funded program provides qualifying customers with bill payment and energy assistance options.  Veronica Stober, a seasoned Customer Care Advocate at Alliant Energy, joins us to spread awareness about LIHEAP, how the program works for customers, and why you should support...

his week, EEI's Electric Perspectives Podcast and The Current are partnering for an episode to discuss the impacts of Hurricane Beryl and the tremendous restoration efforts that are underway. On this episode, you'll hear from StormGeo Meteorologist Justin Petrutsas — who is based in the Houston area— and Scott Aaronson, EEI Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness, about the in...

In this episode of The Current, EEI Executive Director of External Affairs Kristine Telford is joined by PPL Corporation President and CEO Vince Sorgi. They have an in-depth conversation about resource adequacy within the shifting energy landscape and company innovations to sustainably meet high customer demand for today and future generations.

In this week's episode of the Current, Edison Electric Institutes, Kristine Telford is joined by Richard T.  Thigpen, Senior Vice President of Corporate Citizenship at PSEG company. Rick provides insight into PSEG's commitment to a diverse workforce, philanthropy, and its role in helping solve serious challenges. 

On this episode of The Current, our guests discuss the state of electric transportation in the U.S. Joining us are Kellen Schefter, Senior Director of Electric Transportation at EEI, and Scott Barrios, Manager of Electric Mobility at Entergy.

On this episode of The Current, Edison Electric Institute's Executive Director of External Affairs Kristine Telford interviews the Utilities United Against Scams Executive Director Monica Martinez, where these industry leaders discuss utility scams and the ways that consumers can protect themselves as part of their effort to #StopScams ahead of Utility Scam Awareness Day on November 15th. 

EEI Executive Director of External Affairs Kristine Telford interviews Jose Perez, President of Hispanics in Energy on how the organization continues to grow and is working to educate & engage the Hispanic community on critical energy issues across the country. 

EEI Executive Director of External Affairs Kristine Telford interviews Puget Sound Energy Director of Electric Operations Ryan Murphy on wildfire mitigation efforts and measures the company is taking this wildfire season. 

This week, Mark Quinlan, the Senior Vice President of Wildfire & Emergency Operations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company, joins The Current. Kristine and Mark discuss the upcoming peak of wildfire season and how the company is preparing for this through its proactive mitigation program.

This week, Mark Wolfe, the Executive Director National Energy Assistance Directors' Association and an expert on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), joins The Current. Jeff and Mark discuss key issues facing the LIHEAP program and the recent action day in Washington, D.C.

This week, Ed Hirs an energy fellow at the University of Houston and a world renowned expert on deregulation joins The Current. Jeff and Ed explore the challenges and risks—including higher prices and less reliability—of deregulated electricity. 

This week on The Current, Phil Cox, a nationally renowned political operative, joins your host Kristine Telford to talk about the key takeaways from the midterm elections and what that means for upcoming policy debates at the state and federal level. 

This week on the Current, Kristine is joined by Eric Grey, Vice President of Government Relations at the Edison Electric Institute and Austin Keyser, Assistant to the International President of Government Affairs for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Eric and Austin provide expert analysis on the Inflation Reduction Act and its potential impact on the electric power industry. 

This week on the Current, Phillip May, President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, and Deanna Rodriguez, President and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, join us to highlight the ways Entergy is supporting customers throughout Louisiana from bill assistance to resiliency investments.

This week on The Current,  join your host Kristine Telford as she deep dives into the new technologies the Department of Energy is utilizing to help mitigate against wildfires and other potential threats. To better explain these technologies and their capabilities Kristine is joined by this week's guest Stewart Cedres, Senior Technical Lead and Strategist of Electric Grid Resilience Capabilit...

Join the conversation to learn more about summer reliability, wildfires and how the electric grid as a whole is being impacted. To help provide unique insights into these issues Brad is joined by John Moura, Director of Reliability Assessment and Performance Analysis at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Scott Aaronson, Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness...

This week on The Current, Matthew Jaramillo, Director of Government Affairs at PNM Resources, joins us to discuss the fire mitigation practices being used by the electric power industry as New Mexico faces its largest wildfire in state history. 

In recent years, Idaho has experienced a growing number of wildfires breaking out across the state. Jon Axtman, Senior Manager of Transmission and Distribution Engineering and Reliability at Idaho Power joins us to discuss the threat of wildfire outbreaks, their impact on the electric power industry, and the mitigation strategies Idaho has adopted to combat this issue.