Electric Perspectives

U.S. Reps. Bruce Westerman and Scott Peters on Permitting Reform and Wildfire Mitigation

Thu, 07 May 2026 04:30:00 -0400

Supportive public policies, strong partnerships, and bipartisan leadership are essential to America’s energy future. On this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney sits down with House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) to discuss the path forward on permitting reform, including efforts to accelerate energy infrastructure projects and improve regulatory certainty. They also highlight bipartisan collaboration to lower energy costs, meet rising electricity demand, ensure grid reliability, and advance wildfire legislation such as the Fix Our Forests Act.

How Data and AI Are Transforming Customer Engagement

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:10:37 -0400

America’s electric companies are using AI to enhance the customer experience and identify opportunities to lower bills. On this episode, PSEG Long Island Vice President of Customer Operations Lou DeBrino and Bidgely Chief Product Officer Ted Nielsen discuss how electric companies are using smart meter data and advanced analytics to provide tailored energy insights and strengthen customer engagement. They explore how these tools are supporting grid reliability while helping customers better understand their energy use, shift consumption habits, and save money.

This episode is sponsored by Bidgely, which provides AI platforms that optimize grid management and customer engagement for electric companies. Learn more.

Powering Innovation: The DeBary Hydrogen Project

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:42:55 -0400

Earlier this year, Duke Energy launched the DeBary Hydrogen Production Storage System, the nation’s first fully integrated project to produce, store, and use green hydrogen. On this episode, Duke Energy Senior Vice President of System Planning and Construction Regis Repko explains how the hydrogen system works and how it provides reliable energy during peak demand.

Mitigating Fire Risks With AI Modeling Technology

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:17:00 -0400

Urban conflagration—large, vast moving fires that spread from structure to structure—pose a growing risk in many communities across the country, particularly in the areas where homes and infrastructure meet wildfire-prone landscapes. During this episode, Pacific Gas and Electric Senior Manager of Consequence Data Science Manuj Sharma and Technosylva Director of Fire Science Adrián Cardil discuss a new pilot project that uses advanced fire spread simulations to enhance mitigation, planning, and response capabilities.

This episode is sponsored by Technosylva. Learn more about their wildfire and extreme weather risk intelligence here.

Analysis Finds U.S. Electricity Rates Have Remained Stable in Majority of States

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:53:39 -0500

This week, Charles River Associates released a new report examining recent trends in retail residential electricity rates. On this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney and Matt DeCourcey, vice president of the energy practice at Charles River Associates, explore the key findings, which include that for most U.S. electricity customers, retail electricity rates have generally remained stable and have not outpaced inflation. They also discuss external factors driving higher rates in certain regions, and how new data center tariffs and agreements are helping protect existing customers from the costs of connecting new large loads like data centers.

Read the full study here.

Innovation in Grid Planning

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 11:59:05 -0500

As electricity demand continues to rise, electric companies are using new strategies and tools to help plan for the future. On this episode, Arizona Public Service (APS) Director of Grid Modernization Jasdeep Singh and KloudGin CEO and Co-Founder Vikram Takru discuss APS' shift to a product-oriented model for grid modernization and how technology platforms are streamlining operations and improving safety. The conversation highlights impactful grid projects in Arizona, strategies to keep customer bills as low as possible, and the innovations that will shape grid planning in the years to come.

This episode was sponsored by KloudGin. To learn more about its unified field service, asset, and construction work management platform, click here.

Data Centers: Costs and Customer Benefits

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:48:30 -0500

Electric companies across the country are finding innovative ways to connect large customers like data centers while delivering clear benefits to the grid and existing customers. EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney opens the episode by highlighting how electric companies are collaborating with data centers and hyperscalers to support innovation and ensure these large customers pay their fair share of America’s grid.

Then, Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Head of Energy and Water for the Americas Brandon Oyer discuss how electric companies and large-load customers like Amazon are working together to deliver clear benefits to the grid and existing customers while strengthening reliability. The episode also highlights a new Energy and Environmental Economics (E3) study examining electricity rate design and tariffs for large loads like data centers, based on real-world case studies from Amazon’s partnerships with electric companies including Entergy Mississippi.

Powering Data Centers in the Age of AI

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:44:36 -0500

Electric companies are working to meet the highest level of electricity demand growth since the post-World War II era, spurred in part by AI and data centers. On this episode, Ed Baine, executive vice president of Utility Operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, and Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight, discuss how electric companies and technology providers are meeting the increased demand for electricity, and lessons learned from Northern Virginia—also known as Data Center Alley—that can guide other regions as they prepare for a future shaped by AI and data centers.

Financing the Future of Energy and Innovation

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:09:12 -0500

Earlier this week at EEI’s Financial Conference, CNBC Power Lunch Co-Anchor and Senior National Correspondent Brian Sullivan moderated a lively discussion featuring Idaho Power and IDACORP President and CEO Lisa Grow; EEI Vice Chair David Campbell, chairman, president, and CEO of Evergy; and Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh. These leaders shared how their companies are meeting surging electricity demand from data centers and manufacturing while working to keep customer bills as low as possible. They also explored new financing models, regulatory challenges, and the urgent need to streamline permitting to build critical energy infrastructure.

For more highlights from the conference, visit electricperspectives.com.

Why Permitting Reform Matters for America's Energy Future

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:13:46 -0500

As electric companies work to build the transmission lines and infrastructure needed for a reliable energy future, they face complex and often lengthy approval processes.

On this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney and ITC Holdings Corp. President Krista Tanner discuss why reforming these processes is essential to meeting rising energy demand, supporting economic growth, and keeping costs as low as possible for customers. They also highlight real-world challenges and the growing bipartisan effort in Washington to advance permitting reform.

Scaling AI in the Energy Industry

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:41:48 -0400

Artificial intelligence is transforming the energy industry, from customer engagement to grid management and long-term planning. In this episode, Michelle Ferrara, Chief Information Officer at Arizona Public Service (APS), and Karthik Moorthy, Chief Growth Officer at Bidgely, discuss how APS is building the culture and partnerships needed to scale AI at the company and what lessons other electric companies can take from their journey. This episode is sponsored by Bidgely, which provides AI platforms that revolutionize grid management and customer engagement for electric companies. Learn more.

Building America's Energy Workforce

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 09:37:58 -0400

October 20 marks the start of Careers in Energy Week, highlighting a key issue shaping the future of the electric power industry: workforce development. In this episode, EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney is joined by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania President John Hawkins and Center for Energy Workforce Development Executive Director Missy Henriksen to discuss how electric companies and partners such as the Department of Energy are building the skilled workforce needed to power America’s energy future. They also discuss innovative training programs, apprenticeships, and other initiatives creating energy career pathways for the next generation of workers.

To learn more about Careers in Energy Week, visit https://cewd.org/ciew/.

Duke Energy CEO Harry Sideris on Resilience and Affordability

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 08:08:44 -0400

Harry Sideris became the president and CEO of Duke Energy Corporation earlier this year after serving in various leadership roles at the organization for nearly three decades. On this episode, Harry discusses his vision for Duke Energy, the company's focus on resilience and affordability, his reflections on the devastating 2024 hurricane season; and more.

Oracle's Safra Catz on Powering Hyperscalers

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:06:48 -0400

EEI 2025 featured a strong lineup of keynote speakers. In this episode, we share the full keynote conversation between Safra Catz—Oracle’s CEO at the time of recording and now executive vice chair of the board—and outgoing EEI Chair Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. Their discussion explores how electric companies and hyperscalers are navigating the era of rising energy demand. Visit the Electric Perspectives website for more coverage of this year's thought leadership forum.

Driving Energy Policy Discussions in Washington

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:39:28 -0400

Earlier this summer, EEI welcomed our new president and CEO, Drew Maloney. Drew previously served as president and CEO of the American Investment Council, where he built a reputation for effective industry advocacy and strategic leadership. Prior to that, he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Legislative Affairs.

On this episode, Drew discusses his priorities for EEI, the electric power industry’s commitment to providing reliable, affordable energy for customers nationwide, and how the industry is strengthening America’s energy dominance.

Meeting Demand With Flexible Generation

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:57:49 -0400

As America’s electric companies work to meet growing electricity demand driven by AI, data centers, manufacturing, and electrification, mileage from flexible generation is increasingly playing a critical role in supporting a diversified energy mix. On this episode, Eric Holdsworth, who leads the Edison Foundation, is joined by Andrew Phillips, business development manager for Wärtsilä, and Dylan Bearce, senior director of energy resources operations for Tucson Electric Power. They explore how electric companies can get more mileage with flexible, reciprocating internal combustion engines, how these engines differ from traditional models, and their role in supporting grid reliability. This episode is sponsored by Wärtsilä; learn more about maximizing mileage and flexible generation here.

EEI 2025 Highlights: Mission-Critical Networks, Meeting Demand Growth, and AI Innovation

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:37:49 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2025 Highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about demand growth, mission-critical networks, and the intersection of energy and artificial intelligence. The speakers are:

Chris Rogers, Partner, Communities, Energy, & Infrastructure, Guidehouse
Michelle Fay, Global Energy Providers Practice Leader, Guidehouse
Charlie Sanchez, President, Infrastructure Advisory, Black & Veatch
Hans Kobler, Founder and Managing Partner, Energy Impact Partners

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2025 recap newsletters, see photos from our annual thought leadership forum, and watch videos from some of the keynotes.

EEI 2025 Highlights: How Advanced Nuclear, Drones, and New Technologies are Strengthening the Grid

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:00:21 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2025 Highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about keeping costs as low as possible for customers, how drones are enhancing electric company operations, advanced nuclear, and new technologies that are strengthening grid resilience. The speakers are:

Mary Sprayregen, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs & Market Development, Oracle Utilities
Tom Keefe, Vice Chair and Power, Utilities & Renewables Sector Leader for Deloitte
Chris Levesque, President and CEO, TerraPower
Duke Austin, President and CEO, Quanta

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2025 recap newsletters, see photos from our annual thought leadership forum, and watch videos from some of the keynotes.

Smart Grid Tech and Connecting Power to First Nations Communities

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:01:44 -0400

During EEI 2025, Edison International and Southern California Edison (SCE) were recognized as the winners of this year's Edison Award. Fortis Inc. and Wataynikaneyap Power were recognized as the winners of this year's International Edison Award. We were joined live at EEI 2025 by leaders from each company to learn more about their innovative projects.

On this episode, Edison International President and CEO Pedro J. Pizarro and Southern California Edison Vice President of Transmission, Substations & Operations Vik Trehan discuss the Advanced Waveform Anomaly Recognition system. Then, Fortis Inc. Executive Vice President of Operations and Technology Gary Smith and Wataynikaneyap Power CEO Margaret Kenequanash talk about the Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission System, which connects 17 rural and remote First Nations communities to the Ontario provincial energy grid.

Delivering a Reliable, Secure, and Affordable Energy Future

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:53:41 -0400

On this episode, Tyler Anthony, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, discusses Pepco’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the energy grid through the Capital Grid Project and how the company is building the workforce that will support the rapid growth of electricity demand from AI and data centers. Anthony also talks about why partnerships are essential to delivering a secure and resilient energy future and how Pepco's Customer Relief Fund is just one part of Pepco's strategy for supporting customers.

EEI 2025 Highlights: Grid Resilience, Energy Affordability, and Demand Growth

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 17:50:45 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2025 highlights series. We were thrilled to be joined live at our annual thought leadership forum by EEI Chair Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon; Entergy Chair and CEO Drew Marsh; and Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May. These leaders discussed how America's electric companies are enhancing grid resilience while working to meet the growing demand for electricity. Efforts to keep customer bills as low as possible also were front and center throughout the conference.

Visit the Electric Perspectives website to read recaps and see photos from EEI 2025.

Partners in Wildfire Prevention

Fri, 30 May 2025 17:07:39 -0400

In early May, EEI and several energy industry partners, along with organizations that represent firefighters, scientists, tech innovators, and other stakeholders, joined together to form the Partners in Wildfire Prevention coalition. The goal is to advance actionable, evidence-based policy solutions that will make communities and the nation more prepared to handle the growing wildfire threat.

On this episode, EEI Managing Director of Public Affairs Jeff Ostermayer is joined by Partners in Wildfire Prevention Communications Director Chet Wade to discuss the new coalition, federal policy that can support efforts to prevent wildfires, and how we can work together to mitigate wildfire risks and protect vulnerable communities.

Visit the Partners in Wildfire Prevention coalition website to learn more and sign up for updates: https://preventwildfires.org/.

This episode also is available on The Current, a podcast produced by EEI's We Stand for Energy platform: https://westandforenergy.com/.

Enhancing Grid Resilience for a Reliable, Secure Energy Future

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:49:21 -0400

Grid resilience remains a top priority for investor-owned electric companies as extreme weather events become more frequent and electricity demand continues to rise. On this episode, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO Phillip May and ScottMadden Partner Marc Miller discuss efforts underway to strengthen grid infrastructure. They also highlight how customers benefit from resilience investments and share insights on how to keep electricity costs for customers as low as possible.

This episode is sponsored by ScottMadden, which provides consulting services ranging from strategic planning through implementation across industries. With more than four decades of expertise in transmission and distribution, ScottMadden brings a deep perspective of how electric company functions are evolving to integrate grid edge technologies. Learn more here.

Pat Vincent-Collawn on EEI's 2025 Policy Priorities

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:05:57 -0400

EEI interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn, who also serves as chairman and CEO of TXNM Energy, has been a leader in the electric power industry for more than 30 years. As one of the longest-serving directors on the EEI board, she has helped to shape EEI’s strategy for more than a decade.

On this episode, Vincent-Collawn discusses some of today’s most pressing industry issues, including rising demand for electricity, the efforts underway to enhance grid resilience, and our sector’s role in strengthening America’s energy security. She also discusses how our sector works with new presidential administrations and handles the flurry of executive orders and cabinet appointments that follow inauguration day.

This episode is sponsored by Sense, a company that embeds its software in next-generation smart meters, unlocking real-time insight into the home and grid. Learn more here.

Data-Driven Approaches for Effective Storm Responses

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:59:16 -0400

Electric companies are adopting advanced data analysis tools that provide more accurate predictions before a weather event to help optimize preparation efforts and support a faster response if outages occur. On this episode, Pacific Gas and Electric Vice President of Emergency Preparedness and Response Angie Gibson; Southern Company Enterprise Data Analytics Director Shane Powell; and E Source Data Science Director Kyle Decker discuss their experiences with storm response analytics. They share valuable lessons learned while developing and deploying data-driven forecasting and restoration models. This episode is sponsored by E Source, a utility-focused solution partner; learn more about their research, consulting, and data science offerings here.

Powering the Future: Using AI and Grid Enhancements to Prepare for Rising Energy Demand

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 15:46:45 -0500

The energy grid is undergoing a major transformation, driven by AI, advanced technology, and strategic investments to meet growing demand and enhance resilience.

On this episode, Ameren Illinois Chairman and President Lenny Singh and Bidgely Co-Founder and CEO Abhay Gupta discuss the critical roles of grid investments and AI-powered solutions in modern energy planning. They also explore how data-driven insights are transforming reliability, customer engagement, and infrastructure planning, ensuring the grid is ready to meet the fastest pace of electricity demand growth in decades. This episode is sponsored by Bidgely, learn more about Bidgely's behind-the-meter load disaggregation technology here.

Technology Solutions to Emergency Response Challenges

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 18:07:09 -0500

In the face of challenges including extreme weather and catastrophic wildfires, electric companies increasingly are turning to cutting-edge technology solutions that help optimize mitigation strategies, enhance situational awareness and response efforts, and support customers during large-scale power restoration events.

On this episode, Arizona Public Service Director of Forestry and Fire Mitigation Scott Bordenkircher; KloudGin Co-Founder and CEO Vikram Takru; and Edison Electric Institute Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson discuss wildfire mitigation plans, how electric companies and technology companies are partnering to support emergency response efforts, and more. This episode is sponsored by KloudGin; learn more about its cloud-based field service and asset management system here.

Spurring AI Innovation in the Electric Power Industry

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 13:19:28 -0500

AI continues to drive transformation in the electric power industry. On this episode, Arizona Public Service Chairman and CEO Jeff Guldner and BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann discuss how AI is helping accelerate the deployment of clean energy, the ways in which electric companies are integrating AI into their operations, the efforts underway to lead a cultural shift on AI adoption in the workplace, and more. This episode is sponsored by BrightNight; learn more about its PowerAlpha AI-powered technology here.

Maintaining a Culture of Security to Protect the Nation's Grid

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 13:07:40 -0500

Protecting the nation's energy grid is a top priority for America's electric companies, and the electric power industry leads several initiatives to safeguard the grid from any potential threats and hazards. This episode explores Edison Electric Institute's (EEI's) Culture of Security initiative, which is comprised of a few different programs to help electric companies collaborate and share best practices, including a peer review to assess security culture.

On this episode, EEI Managing Director of Cyber and Infrastructure Security David Batz and EEI Senior Director of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Kaitlin Brennan discuss the Culture of Security initiative and others led by our industry, as well as our partnerships with federal agencies to enhance sector-wide resilience to both cyber and physical security threats.

Energy Orchestration: Transforming the Role of Customers in the Energy Transition

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:23:12 -0500

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is empowering customers to take an active role in managing their energy use while integrating distributed resources. On this episode, Aaron August, senior vice president and chief customer and transformation officer for PSE, discusses how the company is leveraging cutting-edge technology, balancing growing demand, and working toward clean energy goals while placing customers at the heart of the company’s energy vision.

Hurricane Responses and the Benefits of Grid Resilience Investments

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:36:27 -0400

Hurricane Helene made landfall in late September as a Category 4 hurricane and impacted nearly 6 million customers in 10 states. An army of more than 50,000 workers from at least 41 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada was dedicated to the Helene response—one of the largest and most complex industry restoration efforts in U.S. history. Less than two weeks later, a second mutual assistance mobilization got underway as Hurricane Milton approached Florida. That storm was a Category 3 hurricane and caused dozens of tornadoes as it raked across the Florida peninsula. On this episode, we are joined by Stan Connally, executive vice president of operations at Southern Company, and Chair, President, and CEO of Southern Company Services, to discuss Georgia Power's restoration efforts after Hurricane Helene and its massive mutual assistance response, our industry's partnership with federal government to protect critical infrastructure, how resilience investments are increasing grid reliability, and more.

Grid-Enhancing Technologies for a Resilient Clean Energy Future

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 16:54:19 -0400

Enhancing grid resilience is a priority for America’s electric companies, which are making significant investments each year to harden the grid and to demonstrate and deploy grid-enhancing technologies that optimize grid operations, help prevent power outages, and enhance reliability.

On this episode, EEI Managing Director of Climate Programs and Executive Director of the Institute for the Energy Transition Eric Holdsworth; Dave Quier, PPL Electric’s vice president and chief operating officer; and Margie Sweezer-Fischer, vice president of operations for NextEra Energy Transmission, discuss grid-enhancing technologies, the role they play in enhancing resilience, how electric companies work with regulators to help define the customer benefits of adopting these technologies, and more.

Partnering on Engine Power Plant Solutions

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:56:07 -0400

Electric companies partner with technology companies to find solutions that help them deliver reliable and resilient clean energy to customers. On today's episode, we hear about WEC Energy Group and Wärtsilä partnership to test a Wärtsilä engine that is designed to run on a hydrogen fuel blend at one of WEC Energy’s power plants in Michigan.

Dan Krueger, Executive Vice President of Infrastructure and Generation Planning at WEC Energy Group; Todd Duffield, Market Strategist at WEC Energy Group; and Jon Rodriguez, Energy Business Director of Engine Power Plants at Wärtsilä, discuss the companies' hydrogen blending test and how engine power plants can help the energy sector reduce carbon emissions. This episode is sponsored by Wärtsilä; learn more about their engine power plant solutions here.

AI-Powered Solutions for Transportation Electrification Programs

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 09:06:00 -0400

During EEI 2024, Adam Grant, director of electrification and energy services, Nevada, at NV Energy, and Maria Kretzing, vice president and general manager of electric vehicles and analytics at Bidgely, discussed AI-driven solutions and the importance of taking a holistic approach to transportation electrification programs.

On this episode, Grant and Kretzing joins us again for a deeper dive into Bidgely’s AI-powered technology that supports electric transportation programs, how electric companies like NV Energy partner with technology companies to find solutions for customers, the type of information NV Energy was able to harness about customer charging habits through the AI-powered technology, and more. This episode is sponsored by Bidgely; learn more about their data analytics tool here.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Protecting Our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:15:58 -0400

There are no shortages of threats to our critical infrastructure, including cyber-attacks, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, and physical attacks on energy infrastructure. Electric companies and their federal partners work around the clock to prepare for these scenarios and to enhance our response capabilities.

On this episode, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, the nation’s top emergency response official, discusses how federal agencies and electric companies collaborate to prepare for and respond to emergencies; the top threats to America’s critical energy infrastructure; the importance of building emergency response capacity at the state and local levels; and more.

How ERCOT Is Supporting the Grid of the Future

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:08:07 -0400

As grid operators plan for the future, they are focused on meeting rising demand for electricity and enhancing grid reliability in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather.

On this episode, EEI Executive Vice President of the Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs Phil Moeller and Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) President and CEO Pablo Vegas discuss how ERCOT plans to meet the increasing demand for electricity, the lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri that could help other grid operators and electric companies, the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure, and more.

Jensen Huang on Advancing AI and Innovation

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 20:50:56 -0400

EEI 2024 featured a lineup of exceptional keynote speakers. On this episode, you'll hear the full-length EEI 2024 keynote conversation between NVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang and former EEI Chair Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. They discussed how NVIDIA’s pioneering work to advance AI and quantum computing has, in part, driven a significant growth in electricity demand, and how electric companies are partnering with companies like NVIDIA to meet that growing demand. You also can watch the keynote on EEI's YouTube channel.

EEI 2024 Highlights: Hydrogen, Building the Next-Generation Workforce, and Cybersecurity

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 09:53:23 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2024 highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about topics including building North America's hydrogen backbone, developing the next-generation workforce, and cybersecurity in supply chains. Plus, you'll hear from EEI President and CEO Dan Brouillette about his experience at the conference. The speakers are:

Guidehouse Partner and Solutions Lead Michelle Fay and Guidehouse Partner and Energy Providers Segment Lead Dan Hahn,
Quanta President and CEO Duke Austin, and
Susan Herman, Industrial Cybersecurity Strategic Development Lead, Black and Veatch

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2024 recap newsletters, see photos from our annual thought leadership forum, and watch videos from some of the keynotes.

Why Did Hurricane Beryl Take Down So Many Trees in Texas?

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:40:40 -0400

This 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 intensity of this hurricane as well the complex work that is underway to safely restore power to impacted customers.

EEI 2024 Highlights: Clean Energy Technologies, AI, Building System Resilience and Distribution Transformation

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:27:28 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2024 highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about topics including clean energy technologies, opportunities for collaboration created by AI, building system resilience, distribution transformation, and more. The speakers are:

Hans Kobler, Founder and Managing Partner, Energy Impact Partners,
Creighton Oyler, Oracle Senior Vice President and General Manager
Paul Domjan, Founder and Chief Policy and Global Affairs Officer, ENODA, and
Martin Stansbury, Deloitte US Power, Utilities & Renewables Risk & Financial Advisory Leader

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2024 recap newsletters and see photos from our annual thought leadership forum.

Harnessing AI to Gather Game-Changing Insights

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 15:46:56 -0400

Energy companies are working with their technology partners to gain insights and leverage data to make their operations more efficient and to enhance customer programs through AI.

On this episode, Maria Kretzing, vice president and general manager of electric vehicles and analytics at Bidgely, and Andrew Barrington, products and services manager at Avista, discuss some of the fascinating ways Avista is working with Bidgely to optimize and streamline its operations.

This episode is sponsored by Bidgely, the company that provides AI platforms that revolutionize grid management and customer engagement for energy companies.

Want to hear more about AI use in our industry? Be sure to register for EEI 2024, which takes place June 18-20 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas!

Meeting the Growing Energy Needs of Datacenters and AI

Fri, 31 May 2024 16:04:39 -0400

In April, EEI hosted its Spring Transmission, Distribution, Metering, and Mutual Assistance Conference. The conference's keynote panel focused on AI, datacenters, and how electric companies are meeting the explosive growth for electricity demand to power these innovative, industry-transforming technologies.

EEI Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson moderated the panel, which featured Alan Bradshaw, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Dominion Energy; Ariel Horowitz, Deputy Director, Grid Deployment Office, U.S. Department of Energy; and Chris Crosby, CEO, Compass Datacenters.

Want to hear more about AI and datacenters from an industry perspective? You won't want to miss EEI 2024, which takes place June 18-20 at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. Visit eei.org/2024 for more information and to register.

40 Years of Supporting Business Diversity

Mon, 13 May 2024 12:57:51 -0400

EEI will host the 40th Annual Business Diversity Conference in mid-May. For more on the history of the conference and diverse supplier partnerships, listen to our April episode, "Leading the Charge on Business Diversity," to hear from Charlotte Blount-Lewis, a former EEI employee who helped lead efforts to establish business diversity programs during her tenure from 1982 to 1997. She was in conversation with EEI Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer Courtney Peterson. On this episode, Georgia Power Distribution Manager Michelle Fuqua, Young Management President and CEO Brandon Young, and Pierce Powerline CEO Michele Pierce discuss the vital partnerships between electric companies and diverse suppliers that power the communities they proudly serve, and how our industry can better support diverse suppliers. Brandon and Michele also share their advice for fellow diverse business owners and discuss how they are supporting electric companies and their key priorities, like enhancing grid resilience.

Spotlight on Global Energy Innovation

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:36:32 -0400

In mid-April, EEI International Programs hosted the Global Electrification Forum (GEF), which brings together EEI’s domestic and international member companies, industry experts, and thought leaders from around the world. This conference is dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the electrification of our society.

This year’s event featured a line-up of distinguished speakers, and on this episode, you’ll hear from a few. Dr. Lawrence Jones, EEI senior vice president of international programs, gives an overview of the GEF. Then, we hear from Nigel Barbour, CEO of Orion Group (New Zealand); Peter O'Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at ESB (Ireland); and Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy (England), about innovation, powering economies, electric transportation, and more.

Want to see the sessions for yourself? All the GEF programming recordings are available now through the conference registration portal.

Leading the Charge on Business Diversity

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:55:01 -0400

Charlotte Blount-Lewis worked at EEI from 1982 and 1997 and helped lead the charge to develop industry business diversity programs and helped organize the first Business Diversity Conference, which continues to bring together electric companies and diverse suppliers, in 1984. Today, electric companies spend billions of dollars per year on diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans. We celebrate these partnerships and the important roles these suppliers play in helping electric companies safely operate 24/7, 365 days a year. On this episode, EEI Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer Courtney Peterson leads a conversation with Charlotte, who reflects on the origins of the business diversity programs, the key partnerships that contributed to these important efforts, the lessons that that today's suppliers can learn from the experiences of those pioneering efforts of the 1980s, and more.

Developing the Next Generation Workforce

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 20:08:46 -0400

It takes a highly skilled workforce to provide reliable electricity service to customers, who depend on it more and more every day to power their lives. As electricity demand grows and our industry continues to deliver increasingly cleaner energy, the next generation of energy workers must be prepared to build, maintain, and operate energy infrastructure and equipment, including for new and emerging clean energy technologies. And, they must continue to work in the necessary positions to keep the lights on.

On this episode, EEI Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and Chief Human Resources Officer Courtney Peterson and Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD) Executive Director Missy Henriksen discuss trends in workforce development, how companies are preparing the next-generation workforce, resources that CEWD offers to help companies with workforce development, and more!

Mapping Out Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 08:23:09 -0400

Consumers Energy announced that in 2023, nearly 90 percent of customers who lost power had it restored in less than 24 hours. This progress is thanks in part to the company’s work to enhance its energy grid infrastructure, which includes adding smart technology, clearing tree branches away from power lines, and more. These efforts are part of a strategic plan called the Reliability Roadmap, and it’s an essential piece of Consumers Energy’s vision to limit the scope and length of power outages in the near future.

On this episode, Tonya Berry, Consumers Energy’s senior vice president of transformation and engineering, joins us to discuss the goals of the Reliability Roadmap, how Consumers Energy is enhancing grid reliability in Michigan, its efforts to prepare the next generation workforce as part of the plan, and more.

All Aboard: Supporting the Transition to Electric School Buses (Part 2)

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 13:21:26 -0500

On this episode, EEI Senior Director of Electric Transportation Kellen Schefter and Consumers Energy Product Manager of Commercial Electric Vehicles Bethany Tabor discuss how the Michigan-based company is helping to support 11 school districts in its service territory to deploy and operate electric school buses and how the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program is helping to support these kinds of efforts.

Be sure to also listen to part one of this series, in which Schefter discussed a new white paper titled “Electric School Buses: Accelerating Equitable Deployment through Understanding Grid Impacts and Policy Solutions” with three co-authors of the report: Exelon Director of Clean Energy Initiatives Chris Budzynski; CALSTART Lead Project Manager, Northeast School Buses Ian Fried; and Sue Gander, World Resources Institute Director of the Electric School Bus Initiative.

All Aboard: Supporting the Transition to Electric School Buses (Part 1)

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 09:47:02 -0500

When we think of the acceleration of electric transportation, the spike in light-duty vehicle sales comes to mind, but it’s not just passenger vehicles that are scaling up. Medium- to heavy-duty vehicles, including school buses, are increasingly becoming electrified, much to the benefit of the communities they operate in.

This episode takes a deep dive into electric school buses and how electric companies and other stakeholders are working together to ensure a smooth and equitable transition. EEI Senior Director of Electric Transportation Kellen Schefter discusses a new white paper titled “Electric School Buses: Accelerating Equitable Deployment through Understanding Grid Impacts and Policy Solutions” with three co-authors of the report: Exelon Director of Clean Energy Initiatives Chris Budzynski; CALSTART Lead Project Manager, Northeast School Buses Ian Fried; and Sue Gander, World Resources Institute Director of the Electric School Bus Initiative.

Be sure to tune in to our next episode for more on electric school buses! Schefter will join Consumers Energy Product Manager of Commercial Electric Vehicles Bethany Tabor to discuss how the Michigan-based company is helping to support 11 school districts in its service territory to deploy and operate electric school buses.

EEI President and CEO Dan Brouillette Takes the Helm

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:11:54 -0500

Dan Brouillette joined EEI as president and CEO-elect in October 2023, and became EEI’s president and CEO at the start of this year. Before joining EEI, Brouillette served as president of Sempra Infrastructure, a leading global energy transition company. He previously served as the 15th U.S. Secretary of Energy and before that as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy, the chief operating officer of the department. Brouillette is the only person ever to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve in both roles. In the private sector, Brouillette has held leadership positions at USAA, where he served as a senior vice president and corporate officer, and at Ford Motor Company, where he was a vice president and served on its North American Operating Committee.

On this episode, Brouillette discusses policy priorities for the electric power industry in 2024, how the industry will balance the growing demand for clean energy with reliability expectations, opportunities and challenges facing the industry, and more!

Implementing New Programs Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:36:03 -0500

On this episode, Sandi Safro, EEI associate general counsel of energy and technology regulation, and Patrick Arness, EEI senior director of government relations, discuss a few recent Department of Energy program announcements funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including the Grid Innovation and Resilience Partnerships (GRIP) Program and the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program, which will help enhance energy grid reliability and resilience, advance the use of hydrogen as a clean energy source, and improve broadband access for unserved and underserved communities.

Tom Kuhn Reflects on His More Than 30 Years of Service in the Electric Power Industry

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:35:09 -0500

At the end of the year, after serving America’s electric companies and their customers for more than 30 years, EEI President and CEO Tom Kuhn will step down from his current role. Kuhn has effectively worked with America’s electric companies to navigate major policy issues in Congress, throughout the federal agencies, and at the state and local levels. He also has led the development of strong-industry government partnerships, and has been extremely engaged in international dialogues that aim to advance the shared vision for an affordable and resilient clean energy future for all customers.

On this episode, Kuhn discusses his decades of service, his sources of pride and inspiration, and his expectations for EEI’s member companies and the industry moving forward.

Hawaiian Electric Testifies in Maui Wildfire Hearing

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 09:54:55 -0500

In late September, the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations held a hearing on the role of electric infrastructure in the wildfire that occurred in Lahaina on Maui on August 8. Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura, along with Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Chair Leo Asuncion, and Hawai’i State Energy Office Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick, provided testimony and answered questions from the committee members, who had launched an investigation into the wildfire and each entities’ response.

This hearing was a significant step in initiating a broader, national conversation about what needs to be done to make electric companies, and the communities they serve, more resilient against increasing climate risk and extreme weather events. The growing threat created by wildfires is a problem that challenges not only Maui, but the nation and the world. The hearing raised questions about how electric companies, regulators, private property owners, and other stakeholders can take a holistic, collaborative approach to address these increasing risks.

The entire hearing ran around two hours, but this episode features key audio segments, including Shelee’s responses about Hawaiian Electric's application for a grid hardening project that had been pending with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission since last year, Hawaiian Electric’s wildfire protocols, and the obstacles to undergrounding power lines. You can watch the entire hearing on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's YouTube page: https://youtu.be/Jc2SIl6kiY4.

Know the Signs to #StopScams

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:47:02 -0500

November 15 is Utility Scam Awareness Day, and we’re raising awareness of tactics being used by utility impostor scammers that target customers of electric, gas, and water companies. Customers of all ages and backgrounds should be vigilant because anyone can be a target of this type of scam, but scammers especially target low-income or elderly customers. On this episode, Monica Martinez, executive director of Utilities United Against Scams, and Chris Peters, vice president and chief security officer of Entergy, discuss utility impostor scams, new scam tactics that customers should know about, what to do if you suspect you’re being scammed, and more.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month With EEI Chair Pedro J. Pizarro

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 12:55:05 -0400

EEI is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, and on this episode, we have a special guest to help us recognize this cultural observance. EEI Chair Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, joins Courtney Peterson, EEI vice president, chief diversity officer, and chief human resources officer, to discuss what it means to be EEI’s first Hispanic board chair, how he stays connected to his culture, the leadership lessons he has learned as head of one of the largest electric companies in the country, and more!

EEI 2023 Highlights: IRA, Natural Gas, Financing Transmission, and Clean Energy Transition Equity

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:05:55 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2023 highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about topics including Inflation Reduction Act customer tax incentives and rebates, the future of natural gas, new approaches to financing transmission, and keeping the clean energy transition equitable and affordable. The speakers are:

Dan Hahn, Partner at Guidehouse,
Dr. Michael Webber, Chief Technology Officer at Energy Impact Partners and Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources, Author, and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas,
Duke Austin, president and CEO of Quanta, and
Mary Sprayregen, Global Head, Regulatory Affairs and Market Development at Oracle/Opower.

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2023 recap newsletters, see photos from our annual thought leadership forum, and watch videos of the keynotes.

Jigar Shah on Investing in Clean Energy Infrastructure

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 12:16:22 -0400

The Inflation Reduction Act established the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) Program under the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Loan Programs Office and appropriated $5 billion to help fund certain clean energy and carbon reduction projects through fiscal year 2026. In June, the Loan Programs Office released new guidance for the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program, which includes the EIR Program.

On today’s episode, Jigar Shah, director of DOE’s Loan Programs Office, joins Alex Bond, EEI deputy general counsel of clean energy and climate, to discuss this guidance and to address some of the most common questions about the program. Listen to our episode “Reinvesting in Energy Infrastructure,” which also featured Jigar, to learn more about the program.

EEI 2023 Highlights: Clean Energy Policy, Workforce Development, and Grid Resilience

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:26:14 -0400

This episode is part of our EEI 2023 highlights series. In this episode, you will hear conversations about topics including clean energy policy and implementation, workforce development, and grid resilience featuring:

Breakthrough Energy Senior Director, U.S. Policy and Advocacy, Robin Millican,
Carolyn Amon, Research Leader, Power, Utilities & Renewables at the Deloitte Research Center for Energy & Industrials and Karen Cunningham, Managing Director of Human Capital Power, Utility & Renewables, and leader of the Global Sustainability, Climate and Equity practice at Deloitte,
Arron Lewis, Vice President and Energy Utility West Region Leader at Black and Veatch, and
GridX Vice President of Marketing Brad Langley.

You can also visit EEI's website to read EEI 2023 recap newsletters, see photos from our annual thought leadership forum, and watch videos of the keynotes.

Elon Musk and Pedro Pizarro on the Future of Electric Transportation

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 16:22:35 -0400

EEI 2023 featured a lineup of exceptional keynote speakers. On this episode, you'll hear the full-length EEI 2023 keynote conversation between renowned technologist Elon Musk and EEI Chair Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. The discussion spans topics such as electrification across the economy, the future of electric transportation, Tesla’s decision to open up its Supercharger network to other automakers, and much more. You also can watch the keynote on EEI's YouTube channel.

Saluting America’s Lineworkers

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 15:19:18 -0400

Lineworkers maintain and enhance the energy grid and play a critical role in delivering America’s resilient clean energy future. They also work around the clock and in dangerous conditions following extreme weather events to ensure that the customers and the communities they serve have access to safe and reliable electricity. On July 10, EEI will join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association in celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor these dedicated workers.

On this episode, we hear from IBEW Local 47 Business Manager Colin Lavin and Southern California Edison (SCE) Senior Vice President of Transmission and Distribution Heather Rivard about why we celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10, how a culture of safety has been ingrained in lineworkers, how lineworkers are modernizing and maintaining SCE’s energy grid, and more.

After EPA’s Section 111 Proposal, What Comes Next?

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:09:49 -0400

On May 11, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, which targets carbon pollution standards for fossil-fuel based plants. Over the past several months, EEI has engaged constructively with EPA and outlined several important priorities for these regulations that are consistent with the ongoing clean energy transition that EEI's member companies are leading.
On this episode, Emily Fisher, EEI executive vice president of clean energy and general counsel, and Alex Bond, EEI deputy general counsel of clean energy and climate, discuss the proposed rule, the potential implications for electric companies and their customers, and what comes next for this proposal. Editor's note: This conversation was recorded in late May.

Investing to Enhance Grid Reliability

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 11:04:13 -0400

EEI's member companies make significant investments to enhance the energy grid every year. One of many grid modernization and improvement projects that is underway to ensure reliable and resilient clean energy can be delivered to customers now and in the years to come is Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan.

On this episode, Georgia Power Vice President of Strategy and Support Cleve Fann and Pike Electric President Matt Fisher dive into the details of Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan. They discuss specific projects underway as part of the plan and how they are benefitting customers.

This episode is sponsored by Pike Electric, the company that is providing engineering and construction services to help make Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan a reality.

Collaborating to Combat Wildfires

Thu, 18 May 2023 11:27:45 -0400

America's electric companies are working together to identify opportunities to enhance mitigation, detection, and response capabilities as part of our wildfire mitigation strategy. The electric power industry has built trusted relationships with partners across the federal government who have key roles to play in our collective wildfire mitigation efforts.

On this episode, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore and EEI Vice Chair Maria Pope, who is president and CEO of Portland General Electric (PGE) in Oregon and co-chair of EEI's Wildfire CEO Taskforce and the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council's Wildfire Working Group, discuss the industry-government partnership to combat wildfires and how PGE and the U.S. Forest Service are preparing for the peak of wildfire season.

Read Chief Moore's column in Electric Perspectives to learn more about industry and government efforts to enhance how we are working to reduce wildfire risk: https://bit.ly/41xcOk0

Global Circuit: Navigating the Energy Transition in Island Environments

Mon, 15 May 2023 06:09:00 -0400

Island environments face unique challenges as we transition our energy systems. What are the ways island providers are preparing for the transition? What role does employee experience play in ensuring successful business operations? How can we attract more women to the energy workforce? Ruth Forbes, President and CEO of FortisTCI, joins this episode of Global Circuit to discuss the company’s operations in the Turks and Caicos Islands, renewable energy, partnerships, workforce, and more.

The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit https://www.eei.org/about-eei/international-members

Advancing Carbon-Free Technologies to Reach Net-Zero Emissions

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:48:56 -0400

Our path toward a resilient clean energy future depends on new and developing carbon-free technologies. The Institute for the Energy Transition (IET) was launched earlier this year to advance the commercialization of breakthrough technologies, which will allow electric companies to reach net-zero emission goals while keeping customer reliability and affordability front and center. The IET will build off the foundation set by the Carbon-Free Technologies Initiative (CFTI). (You can listen to a previous discussion about CFTI at: https://bit.ly/41EuefK).

On this episode, Gerry Anderson, who retired after a distinguished career leading DTE Energy and now chairs the Edison Foundation, and Eric Holdsworth, EEI’s managing director of Clean Energy and Environmental Policy, discuss the efforts of EEI and our partners to accelerate the pace for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of new carbon-free technologies; the vision behind IET and the work underway; and more.

Siting and Permitting Reforms Are Necessary for a Clean Energy Future

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 10:12:06 -0400

Studies have shown that transmission infrastructure in the U.S. will have to double – maybe even triple – in order to reach a net-zero economy by 2050 and to support widespread electrification. But one persistent challenge to expanding the transmission system and deploying more clean energy is the inefficient siting and permitting process for critical infrastructure such as transmission lines. EEI advocates for a coordinated, consistent, and efficient siting and permitting regulatory framework to ensure that electricity is reliable and affordable for customers.

On this episode, Dominion Energy Vice President of Federal Affairs Ann Loomis and EEI Senior Director of Government Relations Patrick Arness discuss the urgent need for permitting and siting reform, Dominion Energy’s experience going through the environmental and regulatory review process for its offshore wind project, new developments on the Hill that might impact permitting and siting reforms, and more.

Empowering Communities Through DEI and Workforce Development

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:08:55 -0400

EEI's member companies are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their own workforces and to creating new economic opportunities in the communities that they serve. As we aim to deliver a resilient clean energy future to customers, we know that our success depends on us creating new pathways for diverse candidates to enter the energy workforce.

On this episode, Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon, and Courtney Peterson, EEI vice president, chief diversity officer, and chief human resources officer, discuss Calvin’s career journey, Exelon’s DEI programs and initiatives, how Exelon and its companies are ensuring that diverse job candidates have equal access to the energy workforce, and more.

Women in Leadership

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:48:20 -0400

Electric Power Industry Outlook for 2023

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:32:11 -0500

In late February, executives from the Edison Electric Institute briefed Wall Street analysts, bankers, investors, and other industry stakeholders on the state of the U.S. electric power industry at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City. Today's episode will feature a recap of the briefing.

EEI’s leadership team covered several high-priority topics, including ESG; the role of new and developing carbon-free technologies; electric transportation; energy grid reliability, resilience, and security; federal and state regulations; workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion; financial performance; and ongoing efforts to meet customer expectations and to support customers in need.

You can watch the full presentation and read the prepared remarks on EEI’s website.

Planning and Preparing for Hurricane Season Year-Round

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:10:00 -0500

America’s electric companies prepare year-round for extreme weather events, and they make investments and upgrades to help prevent power outages and to speed up restoration when they do occur. In the Sunshine State, Florida Power and Light (FPL) has made significant investments to help withstand hurricane-force winds across its service territory. On this episode, FPL Executive Director of Emergency Preparedness Tom Gwaltney discusses how the company prepares for hurricanes, the proactive investments and upgrades the company has made to enhance reliability for customers, the FPLAir One fixed-wing drone that helps assess damage after storms, and more.

Editor's note: This conversation was recorded in December 2022.

Reinvesting in Clean Energy Infrastructure

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 10:01:49 -0500

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) marks one of the greatest investments in clean energy in U.S. history. As part of the $369 billion investment to promote domestic energy production and manufacturing, the IRA established the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) Program under the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office and appropriated $5 billion to help fund certain clean energy and carbon reduction projects through fiscal year 2026.

On this episode, Jigar Shah, director of DOE’s Loan Programs Office, which oversees the EIR, and Emily Fisher, EEI Executive Vice President of Clean Energy and General Counsel, discuss this program and explain how it can help our industry accelerate its transition to cleaner energy sources while helping to minimize the cost impacts on customers. For more information, visit the DOE's EIR webpage. Interested applicants can request a pre-application consultation by emailing lpo@hq.doe.gov.

055 Electric Perspectives: EPRI Drives Collaboration to Enhance Energy Grid Resilience

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Storms and natural disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, and EEI’s member companies are working to harden the energy grid against these threats to ensure customers can receive the reliable and resilient energy they need to power their lives. To bring the electric power sector together and strengthen the industry’s approach to managing climate risk to the energy grid, EPRI created the Climate Resilience and Adaptation (READi) initiative. On this episode, Morgan Scott, EPRI’s director of Climate READi and Sustainability & Ecosystem Stewardship, discusses the initiative and how the initiative's members — including EEI member companies — are working together to help build an informed and consistent approach to adaptation and resilience planning.

Visit the Climate READi website for more information.

054 Electric Perspectives: EEI 2022 Highlights: Energy Resilience, Geopolitics, Supply Chains, Hydrogen, and More!

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 11:09:38 -0500

This episode is the third and final part of our series featuring the highlights of EEI 2022, our annual thought leadership forum. Tune in to hear leading experts discuss energy resilience, geopolitics and the impacts to supply chains, hydrogen rising as a clean fuel, and innovative workforce development programs. Guests include Rod West, Entergy group president of utility operations; Laszlo von Lazar, Black & Veatch president of energy and process industries; Matt O' Keefe, head of O Power, Oracle Energy and Water; GE Power Chief Marketing Officer Brian Gutknecht; and Dr. Belenthia Berry, St. Petersburg College's dean of workforce development and corporate partnerships.

For more highlights of EEI 2022, visit EEI's website. Be sure to mark your calendar for EEI 2023, which will be hosted in Austin, Texas, from June 11-13.

053 Electric Perspectives: Enhancing Industry Coordination and Building Resilience After Superstorm Sandy

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:34:12 -0500

Ten years ago, Superstorm Sandy brought severe winds and devastating flooding to New Jersey and New York. At one point, it engulfed 800 miles between the East Coast and the Great Lakes region, impacting customers in several additional states. The storm caused one of the most massive power outages in U.S. history, with about 8.5 million customers losing power at some point in parts of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and the Ohio Valley. The electric power industry always has focused on strengthening its industry-government partnerships and on improving emergency response plans and processes, but Superstorm Sandy was a catalyst for rethinking how the industry organizes itself to manage major incidents. Those efforts resulted in significant enhancements over the past decade. On this episode, we are joined by American Electric Power Chair and CEO Nick Akins and EEI Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson to discuss the lessons that the electric power industry learned from Superstorm Sandy, how the industry has worked with federal partners to improve emergency coordination, and how Superstorm Sandy forever changed the way electric companies plan for natural disasters.

052 Electric Perspectives: Partnering to Stop Scams

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:28:53 -0500

November 13-19 is International Fraud Awareness Week, and November 16 is Utility Scams Awareness Day. EEI’s member electric companies will join other utilities to raise customer awareness of imposter utility scams and ways to stop them with the help of Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS), a consortium of more than 150 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities (and their respective trade associations).

On this episode, we are joined by UUAS Executive Director Monica Martinez and UUAS Chair Bud Ajdukovic, who also serves as the Kissimmee Utility Authority Customer Service Manager, to discuss the trends in utility scams, what customers should do if they suspect they are being scammed, and more.

051 Global Circuit: Co-creating Energy Solutions with Local Communities

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 07:28:55 -0400

As electric companies focus on increasing reliable electricity access within their communities, they are working alongside Indigenous community stakeholders to provide communities services they need. What are the ways in which electric companies can co-create energy solutions with their local communities? What should leadership look like to support employees and customers? And why is it critical to make the energy decision-making process more inclusive? Jay Grewal, President and CEO of Manitoba Hydro, joins this episode of Global Circuit.

050 Electric Perspectives: Leading the Clean Energy Transformation

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:07:22 -0400

There has been tremendous progress on the climate policy front over the past year in the United States, including the bipartisan infrastructure law, the robust clean energy tax package included in the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. Taken together, these new laws firmly place the United States at the forefront of global efforts to deploy new carbon-free technologies and to drive down carbon emissions. On this episode, we are joined by Eric Holdsworth, EEI managing director of Clean Energy and Environmental Policy, who traveled with EEI leaders to several major clean energy events during National Clean Energy Week and Climate Week NYC. We discuss what happened at those events, how the recent legislative wins benefit our customers, and how EEI and our member companies will be demonstrating our clean energy leadership on the global stage at COP-27 next month in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

049 Electric Perspectives: Celebrating Electric Vehicles

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 14:28:11 -0400

This week is National Drive Electric Week, and we are highlighting the substantial investments that America’s electric companies are making to accelerate the electrification of transportation and the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Kellen Schefter, EEI senior director of Electric Transportation, is joined by Scott Barrios, Entergy manager of Business Development, and Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric Electrification of Transportation director, to discuss their efforts to install EV fast chargers, how they are making switching to EVs easier for customers, how EVs play into our clean energy transition, and more.

Be sure to visit theelectricgeneration.org, EEI's newly relaunched site that showcases stories of how the National Electric Highway Coalition members are deploying EV fast chargers across the country and making progress on their goals.

048 Global Circuit: Adopting A Customer-Centric Strategy for the Energy Transition

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:17:00 -0400

The energy transition requires an evolution of the customer experience and customer-centric strategies. How does approaching the transition from a tech perspective help? What can electric companies do to facilitate customer acceptance for the energy transition? How can electric companies help customers in times of crises? Greg Jackson, Founder and CEO of Octopus Energy Group joins this episode of Electric Perspectives Global Circuit.

047 Electric Perspectives: Helping Customers Access LIHEAP Assistance

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:57:57 -0400

August is LIHEAP Action Month, an opportunity to highlight the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial support to vulnerable households and families to cover heating and cooling and other energy related costs. Electric companies and state LIHEAP administrators partner to help families access this critical funding, and they are working together to streamline the process of identifying income eligible households.

In this episode, EEI Vice President of Customer Solutions Lisa Wood sits down with Tamara Johnson, DTE Energy customer service director, to discuss DTE Energy's successful collaboration with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and their efforts to significantly streamline the process of getting LIHEAP funds to households in need.

046 Electric Perspectives: EEI 2022 Highlights: EVs, ESG, and Cybersecurity

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 18:02:06 -0400

This episode is the second part of our three-part series featuring the highlights of EEI 2022, our annual thought leadership forum. In this episode, you will hear conversations about topics including electric transportation, ESG, and cybersecurity featuring Michael Webber, Chief Technology Officer, Energy Impact Partners, and Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources at the University of Texas at Austin; EEI Director of Electric Transportation Kellen Schefter; Dan Hahn, Partner – Energy, Sustainability, and Infrastructure at Guidehouse; Deloitte's Specialist Lead – EV Strategy and Planning Adrian Rouse and Vice Chair of U.S. Power, Utilities & Renewables Leader Jim Thompson; and Kim Zetter, journalist and author of Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World’s First Digital Weapon.

Also featured are virtual remarks by Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and highlights from a keynote featuring Duke Energy Chair, President, and CEO Lynn Good and Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Jen Easterly.

045 Electric Perspectives: Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on America’s Resilient Clean Energy Future

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 15:11:08 -0400

During EEI 2022, EEI’s annual thought leadership forum, we were honored to be joined by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. This episode includes the EEI 2022 keynote discussion between Secretary Granholm and EEI Chair Warner Baxter, executive chairman of Ameren Corporation, during which they covered the path to a clean energy future, the technologies needed to meet our goals, today’s geopolitical and supply chain challenges, the importance of industry-government partnerships, and more. Read all about the discussions at EEI 2022 here.

044 Electric Perspectives: Will the Recent SCOTUS Decision on West Virginia v. EPA Affect the Clean Energy Transition?

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 10:04:52 -0400

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the West Virginia v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) case limited the authority of the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing stationary sources, like power plants.

During this episode, EEI Deputy General Counsel of Clean Energy and Climate Alex Bond will lead a discussion with Emily Fisher, EEI general counsel and senior vice president of clean energy, and Maggie Peloso, partner at Vinson & Elkins, about how this case landed in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, what the decision means for both electric companies and the EPA, and whether it will affect ongoing efforts to deliver a resilient clean energy future to customers.

043 Electric Perspectives: Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 10:02:18 -0400

The electric power industry works with the government and the private sector to enhance grid security and to ensure vigilance in the face of evolving threats. As global supply chain challenges continue to impact industries, electric companies also are focused on ensuring they have the resources they need to deliver resilient clean energy to customers. In this episode, Bill Fehrman, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy and co-chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, and Scott Aaronson, EEI’s senior vice president of Security and Preparedness, discuss how electric companies are working with industry and government partners to bolster supply chain resilience, the potential value of an energy sector industrial base to increase supply chain security, and more. After you have finished listening to this episode, read Fehrman's Electric Perspectives article, "Supply Chain Resilience: The Energy Sector Industrial Base," to learn more about this topic: https://bit.ly/39X8sy2

042 Global Circuit: Achieving a Sustainable Energy Future

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 15:50:00 -0400

Electric companies are on the path to achieving a sustainable energy future by formulating goals into actions plans on reliability, diversification, risk management, and more. Where does reliability intersect with sustainability? How can stakeholders inform the path for a sustainable energy future? How can a company embrace a culture of continuous improvement and recognize workforce passion? Warner Baxter, Executive Chairman of Ameren Corporation and Vice Chairman of EEI joins this episode of Electric Perspectives Global Circuit.

041 Electric Perspectives: Leading Infrastructure Development

Wed, 18 May 2022 09:46:37 -0400

EEI is proud to support the United for Infrastructure: Lead with Infrastructure campaign. Electric transmission infrastructure is the backbone of the nation’s energy grid and it will play an important role in facilitating the continued transition to clean energy.

In this episode, Phil Moeller, EEI executive vice president of the business operations group and regulatory affairs, and Larry Gasteiger, executive director of WIRES, join us to discuss the challenges of building new transmission infrastructure. They also discuss the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's recent notice of proposed rulemaking on transmission and how the funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be used to support transmission development. Listen to this episode to hear Phil and Larry address these issues and more.

040 Global Circuit: Planning for Resilience Amid Changing Expectations

Wed, 11 May 2022 10:58:49 -0400

Effective leadership and good communication are key to approaching resilience and the energy transition as electric companies navigate changes Companies are undertaking actions to meet employee expectations on flexibility and customer expectations on reliability, affordability, and risks. What approaches are necessary to communicate with customers? How has the pandemic evolved the way companies are conducting business? And how are electric companies leading on resilience? Bob Rowe, CEO of NorthWestern Energy joins this episode of Electric Perspectives Global Circuit recorded in March 2022.

039 Electric Perspectives: Preparing for Hurricane and Wildfire Season

Thu, 05 May 2022 09:18:33 -0400

Hurricane season is approaching fast and there already are severe and extreme drought conditions throughout the West that are raising the risk of wildfires. Electric companies undergo power restoration and business continuity planning year-round to prepare for emergencies, and now is the time for all of us to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies that could cause power outages.

In this episode, StormGeo Meteorologist Justin Petrutsas provides the forecast for this year’s hurricane and wildfire season and how it will differ from past seasons. Then, EEI Senior Vice President of Security and Preparedness Scott Aaronson explains how electric companies partner with government agencies to prepare for and respond to emergencies and the steps customers can take now so that they are prepared should a major disaster strike.

038 Electric Perspectives: Focusing on Clean Energy This Earth Day – and Every Day

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:18:47 -0400

EEI will join many around the world in celebrating Earth Day on April 22. In reality, every day is Earth Day for EEI’s member companies, and we are working to get the energy we provide as clean as we can as fast as we can, while maintaining the reliability and affordability that our customers value.

In this episode, EEI Chairman and DTE Executive Chairman Gerry Anderson and Eric Grey, EEI’s vice president of government relations, discuss our support for the clean energy tax package pending in Congress and why these policies are good for our customers. They also talk about new carbon-free technologies, electrification of the transportation sector, and more. Visit EEI’s website to learn about our clean energy progress and see how we are #Committed2Clean.®

Want to learn more about our work to deliver resilient clean energy? Register now for EEI 2022. This reimagined thought leadership forum will focus on the technologies, pathways, tools, and partnerships needed to continue reducing carbon emissions in the electric power sector and across the economy. EEI 2022 will take place June 20-22 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Register now at: https://bit.ly/3DgsaPE

037 Electric Perspectives: What’s Next for the Carbon-Free Technology Initiative?

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 10:27:00 -0400

In February 2021, EEI and its members worked with industry leaders and leading environmental groups to launch the Carbon-Free Technology Initiative (CFTI). The primary goal of CFTI is to identify and advocate for specific policies that can help to ensure the commercial availability of key technologies, so that they can be deployed in a timely manner to achieve net-zero emissions in the U.S. electric power sector and to ensure electricity remains affordable and reliable.

In this episode, Jeff Lyng, area vice president of energy and sustainability policy at Xcel Energy, and Eric Holdsworth, managing director of clean energy and environmental policy at the Edison Electric Institute, reflect on the progress of CFTI’s policy and funding goals and discuss what comes next. Learn more about CFTI at carbonfreetech.org.

036 Electric Perspectives: Women in Leadership

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 05:30:00 -0400

March is Women’s History Month, and EEI honors and recognizes the achievements and contributions of women throughout the electric power industry. As our member companies make progress on their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments, it’s important to create career pathways for employees that can lead to leadership opportunities. In this episode, EEI General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Senior Vice President of Clean Energy Emily Fisher speaks with Puget Sound Energy President and CEO Mary Kipp and American Electric Power Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Barton about how female representation has changed in the workplace, how companies are empowering their female employees, Mary and Lisa’s advice to women who want to advance in their careers, and more. Registration for EEI 2022 is now open! This reimagined thought leadership forum will focus on the technologies, pathways, tools, and partnerships needed to continue reducing carbon emissions in the electric power sector and across the economy. During our biggest event of the year, we will explore various topics related to providing resilient clean energy to power a net-zero economy, including technology development and deployment, the role of transmission, electric transportation, and more. EEI 2022 will take place June 20-22 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Register now: https://bit.ly/3DgsaPE

035 Electric Perspectives: AES Corporation’s Robot Accelerates Solar Construction

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 03:24:00 -0500

EEI’s member companies are always finding innovative new ways to help their employees work safely and more efficiently. As they move toward a cleaner energy future, they also are finding ways to use these innovations to accelerate the deployment of clean energy. The AES Corporation announced its launch of Atlas, a first-of-its-kind solar installation robot that makes it faster, more efficient, and safer to construct new solar facilities. In today's episode, AES Next President Chris Shelton and AES Manager of Solar Automation Deise Yumi Asami discuss this innovative technology and how it will help AES further advance its solar energy capabilities.

034 Global Circuit: Utilizing Social Networks to Create Lasting Change

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 09:15:44 -0500

The path to address climate change and further the energy transition is full of new information, ideas, and innovation. Processing this information and implementing these ideas requires collaborative effort and a shift in beliefs and behaviors. What can social network theory tell us to ensure successful spread of innovation? How can we drive behavioral change to keep pace with new ideas? And what does it mean to consider the width of a bridge in collaboration? Damon Centola, Author of Change: How to Make Big Things Happen, Professor of Communication, Sociology and Engineering, and Director of the Network Dynamics Group at the University of Pennsylvania joins this episode of Electric Perspectives Global Circuit.

033 Electric Perspectives: Advancing DEI at Electric Companies

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 10:03:00 -0500

EEI’s member companies are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, in their companies and in the communities they are proud to serve. In late 2020, EEI launched an industry-wide DEI initiative to build on programs that were already underway at electric companies across the country.

In this episode, we are joined by EEI Chief Human Resources Officer Courtney Peterson and EEI Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Transformation Todd Manuel to discuss our industry-wide DEI commitment, DEI programs at electric companies, how electric companies can promote more equitable practices, and more.

032 Electric Perspectives: Electric Power Industry Outlook 2022

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 09:07:37 -0500

In early February, executives from the Edison Electric Institute briefed Wall Street analysts, bankers, investors, and other industry stakeholders on the state of the U.S. electric power industry in New York City. Today's episode will feature a recap of the briefing, which featured presentations from Brian Wolff, EEI's Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Public Policy and External Affairs; Emily Fisher, EEI's General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Senior Vice President of Clean Energy; Phil Moeller, EEI's Executive Vice President of Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs; and Richard McMahon, EEI's Senior Vice President of Energy Supply and Finance.

These leaders covered several high-priority topics, including clean energy and the clean energy tax policies that EEI supports; electric transportation; carbon-free technologies; energy grid security and resilience; and electric companies' adaptation, hardening, and resilience investments.

You can watch the full presentation and read the prepared remarks on EEI’s website.

031 Global Circuit: Harnessing Today’s Technology to Reach Tomorrow’s Energy Future

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:26:20 -0500

In the race to net zero, electric companies are placing importance on diversifying fuel sources without compromising reliability. How can existing technologies today bring us closer to this goal? What is the future and viability of new fuel sources like hydrogen? And how can companies pursue new ideas while balancing current customer needs? Toshifumi Watanabe, President and CEO of J-POWER, joins this episode of Global Circuit.

030 Electric Perspectives: Unlocking Hydrogen’s Potential

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:01:00 -0500

America’s electric companies are leading a clean energy transformation. They understand that we can’t just rely on any one clean energy technology; we will need every tool in the toolbox to achieve our clean energy goals. Hydrogen, in particular, will be a crucial clean energy resource of the carbon-free energy future. This episode focuses on the potential for hydrogen, and we are joined by Sandi Safro, EEI associate general counsel for energy and technology regulation, who dives into some of the hydrogen pilot projects underway with Matt Valle, vice president of development at Florida Power and Light, and Don Chahbazpour, director of regulatory strategy at National Grid.

029 Electric Perspectives: Investing in a Resilient, Hardened Energy Grid

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The reliability and resilience of the nation's energy grid are top priorities for the electric power industry. As the frequency and intensity of storms, wildfires, and other extreme weather events continue to increase, and as cyber-attacks become more sophisticated, increasing capital investment in adaptation, hardening, and resilience is vital.

On today's episode, we'll hear from Richard McMahon, EEI’s senior vice president of Energy Supply and Finance, who will open the conversation by highlighting the types of investments EEI’s member companies are making in adaptation, hardening, and resilience. Then, we'll hear from Jim Schaefer, senior managing director at Guggenheim Partners; Maria Rigatti, executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer at Edison International; and Drew Marsh, executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer at Entergy Corporation, who all joined us this past fall for this conversation.

028 Electric Perspectives: Working Together to Bridge the Digital Divide

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 06:00:00 -0500

The sudden shift to working and learning from home during the pandemic highlighted the value of electricity, as well as the importance of affordable, reliable broadband. Millions of Americans are living in a “digital divide,” with limited or no access to reliable internet. Electric companies are well-positioned to help address the challenge of broadband inequity and are working to identify opportunities to leverage their fiber investments to provide middle-mile broadband infrastructure, in partnership with telecommunications companies and last-mile internet providers. This is a win for all stakeholders, particularly customers and communities in underserved and unserved areas. On this episode of Electric Perspectives, we are joined by Alan Bradshaw, vice president of strategic partnerships for Dominion Energy, who will discuss Dominion Energy’s projects and partnerships to expand broadband access to customers. Then, Mississippi Public Service Commission Commissioner Brandon Presley, who recently also served a term as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, joins Brad Viator, EEI’s vice president of external affairs, to discuss broadband policy and national efforts to bridge the digital divide.

027 Global Circuit: Keeping Customers and Employees at the Heart of the Transition

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 00:01:00 -0500

In 2018, Xcel Energy became the first electric company in the United States to announce a vision to be carbon-free by 2050, including a goal of reducing emissions by 80% by 2030. How has the company supported its workforce through this clean energy transition, including workers from retired coal plants? What is Xcel Energy doing to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce? And how is the company keeping customer needs and expectations at the heart of its strategy? Ben Fowke, Executive Chairman of Xcel Energy and former EEI Chairman, joins this episode of the Electric Perspectives Global Circuit, recorded in October 2021.