Energy Solutions: A Podcast From EPSA

How does an historic rise in electricity demand coincide with summer power needs?  In this special summer reliability roundtable, we’re taking a look at what to expect when it comes to electric bills, power grid reliability, and what it will take to build the infrastructure needed to support future growth while protecting consumers.   EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler is joined by Gavin Donohu...

As electricity demand grows and states debate how to pay for new infrastructure, questions around affordability, customer choice, and financial risk are becoming central to the future of the power sector.  Consumers across the country are seeing rising electricity bills, while policymakers face increasing pressure to ensure the grid can support data centers, manufacturing growth, and electrificati...

After years of flat demand, the power sector is facing a dramatic shift. AI, hyperscale data centers, electrification, and manufacturing growth are driving a new wave of electricity demand—and putting unprecedented pressure on the grid.  Gas turbine orders are expected to peak in 2026 as developers secure equipment for more than 60 gigawatts of new gas capacity.  In this episode, Matt Neal, Presid...

In this special episode of Energy Solutions , recorded live at EPSA's 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Kathryn Clay, Lead Energy & Climate Analyst at Washington Post Intelligence, moderates a discussion with LS Power Generation President Nate Hanson, Speaker Matt Huffman of the Ohio House of Representatives, Competitive Power Ventures CEO Sherman Knight, and Gordon van Welie, former P...

In this special live episode of Energy Solutions , recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Ed Crooks of Wood Mackenzie moderates a panel on what it will take to finance the power system of the future.  Panelists discuss how quickly new infrastructure can be built to meet rising demand, what investors need to deploy capital, and the policy and regulatory challenges shaping developme...

In this special live episode of Energy Solutions , recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, NARUC President Ann Rendahl and FERC Commissioner David Rosner join Todd Snitchler to discuss how regulators are navigating rising costs and growing investment needs across the power grid.  They explore who pays for grid expansion, how to balance affordability with reliability, and the critic...

In this special live episode of Energy Solutions , recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Peter Lake of the White House National Energy Dominance Council joins Todd Snitchler to discuss the future of the U.S. power grid as demand surges from AI.  Lake highlights the need to modernize grid policy, speed up interconnection, and support new infrastructure, emphasizing that energy pol...

In this special live episode of Energy Solutions , recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit on March 3 in Washington, D.C., EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler joins Wolfe Research analyst Steve Fleishman to discuss the surge in electricity demand driven by AI, data centers, and electrification—and what it means for investment in new power infrastructure.  The conversation covers t...

AI and data centers are driving electricity demand higher just as Americans are feeling the pressure of rising energy bills. Meanwhile, utilities are seeking approval for unprecedented levels of grid investment. As state regulators gather this week for their annual Winter Policy Summit, the question is front and center: how do we keep the lights on without breaking the bank?  In this episode, Ann...

With AI, data centers, and electrification are driving a surge in electricity demand, the pressure is on to keep America’s power grid reliable and affordable. The real question is whether we’ll meet this moment with competitive, market-driven investment – or shift the risk and the cost back onto consumers.  In this episode of Energy Solutions , EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with...

What would happen if a coordinated cyber and physical attack disrupted the systems that power daily life—not just power plants, but data centers, pipelines, and communications?  Cyber and physical threats to the electric grid are growing more advanced, more frequent, and harder to detect. The impacts can ripple far beyond the energy sector, affecting communities, public safety, and the broader eco...

As AI, electrification, and manufacturing growth drive record electricity demand, the U.S. grid faces new pressures to deliver reliable, affordable power. What can other regions learn from New England — one of America’s most energy-constrained power systems?  In this episode of Energy Solutions , EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Gordon van Welie, outgoing President and CEO of I...

The U.S. power sector is at a critical turning point. AI, electrification, and manufacturing and economic growth are leading to surging electricity demand, and power supply is struggling to keep up as prices increase. How should policymakers and energy leaders respond to encourage wise investment without overbuilding, overspending, or undermining reliability?  In this episode of Energy Solutions,...

The recent PJM Governors’ Conference in Philadelphia spotlighted surging electricity demand, political scrutiny, and concerns over rising power bills. Governors, regulators, and industry experts gathered to debate the future of PJM Interconnection, which directs the flow of power to 67 million people in 13 states and DC.  In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler s...

The United States is undergoing a once-in-a-generation shift in electricity demand — driven in large part by the extraordinary growth of data centers, AI development, and cloud infrastructure. These digital engines are vital to national competitiveness, economic growth, and everyday life. But delivering on their promise requires a power system that can grow with them — reliably, affordably, and su...

As electricity demand surges across the country due to data centers, electrification, and industrial growth, the U.S. power grid is under pressure to keep up. But what do the numbers really show, and where are we headed?  In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Angelina LaRose, Assistant Administrator for Energy Analysis at the U.S. Energy Informat...

As electricity demand surges across the U.S. — driven by AI, data centers, electrification, and reshoring of manufacturing — one critical question rises to the top: Who’s going to build the grid of the future, where does the money come from, and how fast can we do it?   In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Doug Kimmelman, Founder and Executive C...

America’s energy demand is rising fast and our power supply has shrunk, but getting infrastructure built is harder than ever. In this episode, Curtis Wilkerson breaks down why critical projects like solar farms, natural gas plants, transmission lines, and hydrogen hubs face costly delays and fierce local (and outside) opposition – sometimes turning 3-year builds into 10-year battles.  We explore h...

EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler talks with Stephen DeFrank, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, about how the commonwealth is managing major electricity demand growth and advancing competitive power solutions. The Chairman offers a candid look at how a restructured state like Pennsylvania is addressing surging load from data centers, manufacturing, and electrification—whi...

Can the grid keep up with AI, data centers, and soaring energy demand? FERC and state leaders break it down live at EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit.  Catch this conversation recorded live from EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit on April 2, 2025 with FERC Commissioner David Rosner and Georgia PSC Commissioner Tricia Pridemore. They explore how rising demand from AI and data centers is reshaping the el...

As AI, data centers, and manufacturing drive historic electricity demand growth, how will the U.S. power the future? In this special bonus episode, Ohio Congressman Bob Latta , chair of the House Energy Subcommittee, joins Energy Solutions to discuss the urgent need for more energy, the role of nuclear power and natural gas , and why permitting reform is critical for grid modernization. Latta shar...

EV charging. Transformers. Medical imaging devices. As energy demand surges across industries, how can we ensure a smarter, more resilient, and efficient power system? In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of electrification, the role of smart technology, and the pressing challenges of supply chains and grid flexibility. Our guest, NEMA President and CEO Debra Phillips, shares insight...

We close 2024 with a look back at some of our top episodes this year and end with a look forward into 2025 with EPSA’s President and CEO Todd Snitchler. Listen in for thoughts on gas-electric coordination from 2024’s NARUC President Julie Fedorchak, highlights from our 3rd annual Competitive Power Summit, and a glimpse into the top conversation of the year: the impact of AI, data centers, and othe...

Joining us for this episode is Christina Hayes, executive director of Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG), a nonprofit coalition of labor and environmental groups, clean energy buyers, renewable developers, transmission developers, and utilities. ACEG focuses on deploying high capacity transmission, which it says is the most cost effective and reliable way of decarbonizing the grid.   Hayes s...

Pipefitters, pipeliners, and welders install and maintain the essential building blocks of the nation’s energy grid.  A labor union leader representing these essential workers, Derrick Kualapai joins us for this episode of Energy Solutions. He shares how manufacturing is changing through a shifting energy landscape and how those changes impact workers, why his industry is so essential to the natio...