Podcasts about pjm

Electric transmission development is notoriously difficult, and these days, NIMBYism gets the brunt of the blame. But as data center loads surge and electricity prices climb, there's a new roadblock –  the messy world of multi-state cost allocation. The Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) — a planned 100-mile, $960 million transmission line stretching across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia — was approved by PJM in 2022 under standard rules that spread costs across the entire region. But that plan was made before ChatGPT took off and data center forecasts shot upwards.  Fast forward four years, and now state consumer advocates are asking why local ratepayers should foot the bill for an infrastructure project designed to feed data centers in northern Virginia. In this episode, Shayle sits down with Maeve Allsup, senior reporter at Latitude Media, to unpack her reporting on the project. They dive into how the rise of generative AI has disrupted traditional grid planning and explore why this challenge has proven to be such an impactful rate limiter for the AI boom. [Correction: In this episode, Shayle and Maeve refer to MARL as the Mid-Atlantic Reliability Line. The correct name is the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link. We regret the error.] Shayle and Maeve discuss topics like: - How a project approved in 2022 hit a vastly different policy and regulatory landscape by the time it reached state dockets - Why data center growth breaks the historic assumption that regional transmission costs eventually "even out" between states - How the Ratepayer Protection Pledge — a voluntary commitment signed by tech hyperscalers at the White House — is being harnessed by state advocates as a cudgel to demand data centers pay for grid upgrades - Why the United States has gone from building thousands of miles of transmission a decade ago to just hundreds today - How the intersection of local opposition and confusion over utility tariffs is delaying grid buildouts Resources - Latitude Media: How the Ratepayer Protection Pledge became a transmission hurdle in PJM - Latitude Media: FERC to grid operators: Connect large loads to transmission faster - Catalyst: Looking for a turnaround in transmission - Catalyst: The rise of flexible data centers - Catalyst: AI scaling pathways: On grid, on edge, off grid, off planet - Open Circuit: Grid utilization vs expansion: The 100 GW debate - Open Circuit: A five-alarm fire for the grid? Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Max Savage Levenson. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Tune into Critical Capital, a brand new podcast from Crux and Latitude Studios. Hosted by Crux CEO Alfred Johnson, Critical Capital explores the interlocking forces powering clean and critical infrastructure. Join us every other Tuesday for in-depth conversations at the intersection of energy, government, finance, and global markets. Listen here, or wherever you get podcasts. Catalyst is brought to you by FischTank PR, an award-winning climate and energy tech, renewables, and sustainability-focused PR firm dedicated to elevating the work of both early-stage and established companies. Learn more about their PR approach and how they can support your company's messaging by visiting fischtankpr.com. Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.

US residential electricity prices have risen by more than 40 per cent since the start of 2021, which is much faster than general inflation. Utilities requested a total of $31 billion in increased rates last year, double the amount in 2024. And investor-owned utilities are planning to spend $1.4 trillion on capital projects over the next five years – enough on one calculation, to build almost 2,000 Hoover Dams at today's prices. So why are American electricity bills going up, and what can be done to provide some relief for hard-pressed consumers?In this episode, host Ed Crooks and regular contributor Dr Melissa Lott are joined by Charles Hua, founder and executive director of PowerLines, a nonprofit launched in 2024. Charles's focus is on US states' Public Utilities Commissions: the roughly 200 commissioners across the country who oversee around $200 billion in annual spending and ultimately determine what consumers pay. He calls them the “US Supreme Court justices of energy”.The discussion opens with questions of consumers' perceptions, and how they align with reality. The data show that in the past few years, electricity bills have been rising, on average, explaining why the issue has been rising up the political agenda.Recent Ipsos polling commissioned by PoweLines found that four in five Americans feel powerless about energy costs. The proportion who believe their state officials are serving their interests as consumers fell from 38 per cent to 29 per cent in a single year. Charles calls this "a new politics of electricity." It is a domain that until recently sat outside mainstream political attention, but now reaches governors' offices and the White House.Charles and Melissa then unpack what is actually driving the increases. Melissa walks through the top five cost drivers identified in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's analysis: fuel and wholesale supply, distribution costs, generation capex, transmission costs, and cost recovery from extreme weather events. Charles points beyond the line items to a fundamental issue: the traditional utility business model, which structurally rewards capital spending. The question about the impact of data centers is unavoidable. Charles breaks it down: until now, data centres have not been a meaningful driver of price increases across most of the country. But that does not mean they will not be in future. PJM's capacity auction, where prices have rocketed, is one early signal that the picture is starting to change.Charles offers three solutions. First, get more out of the existing grid, which is currently running at roughly 50 per cent utilisation, through technologies he describes as "ibuprofen for the grid." Second, modernise the utility business model, potentially drawing on the UK's totex approach, where utilities can earn a return on operational as well as capital spending. Third, improve grid planning, particularly how load is forecast and how integrated resource plans are built.Melissa zooms out to remind listeners what is actually at stake. Borrowing a line from Amory Lovins, she says: "I don't care about my electrons. I care about cold beer and hot showers." The question is not just about price, but about whether households can keep their homes safe and liveable year-round. You can learn more about PowerLines at PowerLines.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Renewable Roundup, Russell Reading speaks with Kenny Schoolcraft of Zeigo Network about “Powered Land” — land that comes bundled with grid access or interconnection privilege. Kenny explains what Powered Land means, why it's suddenly in high demand, and how it shortens development timelines and reduces execution risk for data centers, renewables and investors. They discuss how market differences (ERCOT, PJM, MISO, CAISO, etc.) shape the value of powered land, why transmission and interconnection queues are the current bottleneck, and how hyperscalers and corporates are adapting their strategies to secure quick, reliable power.

We kick off The Dawn Stensland Show breaking down JD Vance's appearance on The View, where he coolly managed the crossfire from Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, and Whoopi Goldberg. Vance stayed perfectly calm while setting the record straight on the Jeffrey Epstein files, noting that Donald Trump threw Epstein out of his club and reported him to law enforcement. The crew looks at Vance's folksy, middle-of-America style and how he handled relentless interruptions, even delivering a smooth reality check to Ana Navarro about her old-guard ties. Meanwhile, the team rallies around Dan as he fights through a sudden stomach flare-up, prompting Dawn to offer up the classic BRAT diet approach. Senator Kim Ward joins us to highlight how Pennsylvania ratepayers are getting played by a PJM grid price cap that bails out neighboring states. As a massive energy exporter sitting on a gold mine of resources, Pennsylvania is stuck bailing out blue states like Maryland and New Jersey for their own green climate agendas. We address the dynamic where these democratic governors get political cover while local electric bills soar, and we layout a direct call to action for listeners to swamp the governor's office and demand a fairer deal. Later, Dr. Michael Busler from Stockton University joins us to break down new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's choice to hold interest rates steady amid a 4.2% inflation rate. We look at the potential economic relief on the horizon if the current Iran deal holds, which could open the Strait of Hormuz, bring oil prices well under $75 a barrel, and pull gasoline prices down further. We wrap up with a warning about clinging, stinging jellyfish invading local Jersey rivers, Dan's unconventional sting remedies, and a handoff to Dom Giordano as he previews a Supreme Court gun ruling and a minor league baseball uniform controversy in York.

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 Donohue of the Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY), Glen Thomas of the PJM Power Providers Group (P3), Dan Dolan of the New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA), Jan Smutny-Jones of the Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA), Scott Miller of the Western Power Trading Forum (WPTF), and Michele Richmond of Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA). Together, they provide a regional outlook on summer reliability, discuss the realities behind rapidly growing electricity demand, and explore how different markets are preparing for a future that looks very different from the past twenty years. The conversation examines data centers, power supply, electricity prices, transmission investment, market evolution, and the role competitive power markets can play in meeting future demand while protecting consumers. While each region faces unique challenges, the panel agrees on one thing: reliability, affordability, and economic growth are increasingly interconnected, and the decisions being made today will shape the future of the electric grid for decades to come. Topics include: Summer reliability outlooks across New York, PJM, New England, California, Texas, and the West, Data centers, AI, and the realities of electricity demand growth, Resource adequacy and generation investment, Electric affordability and rising customer bills, Transmission costs and infrastructure planning, The role of competitive markets in meeting future demand, Cost allocation and protecting consumers (who pays for data center growth?), Regional market developments and policy challenges, And what industry leaders believe will be the biggest power sector story over the next year. Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA Guests:  Gavin Donohue, Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY) Glen Thomas, PJM Power Providers Group (P3)  Jan Smutny-Jones, Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA)  Dan Dolan, New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA)  Scott Miller, Western Power Trading Forum (WPTF)  Michele Richmond, Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA)   Liked this episode? Share it on X @EPSANews or LinkedIn at Electric Power Supply Association. Want more competitive power updates? Sign up for our monthly Power Moves newsletter.

Avec l'essor de l'intelligence artificielle, les data centers ne consomment plus seulement beaucoup d'électricité : ils commencent à bousculer l'équilibre même des réseaux. En France, l'ARCEP a mesuré une hausse de 38 % de leur consommation en trois ans, pour atteindre 2,7 térawattheures en 2024. Sur la seule dernière année, la progression atteint 12 %. Et cette demande est très concentrée : l'Île-de-France regroupe 56 % des centres étudiés et plus de 70 % de la consommation électrique du secteur.Dans ce contexte, Google a conclu aux États-Unis un accord remarqué avec Voltus, une société spécialisée dans l'agrégation de ressources énergétiques distribuées. Le principe est simple : plutôt que produire plus, on demande à des milliers de petits consommateurs de consommer autrement. Voltus regroupe des thermostats intelligents et des véhicules électriques, puis rémunère leurs propriétaires pour réduire ou décaler leur consommation lorsque le réseau est sous tension. Google finance le dispositif, et l'électricité ainsi libérée doit contribuer à alimenter ses data centers dans la zone couverte par PJM, le plus grand réseau électrique américain. Objectif annoncé : environ 100 mégawatts de capacité en 2027.Ce mécanisme porte un nom : centrale virtuelle. Il ne s'agit pas d'une centrale physique, mais d'un ensemble d'équipements dispersés (chauffages, batteries, véhicules) pilotés comme une seule ressource flexible. Reste un obstacle : l'adhésion des particuliers. Une étude californienne montre que seuls 1 % des propriétaires de véhicules électriques s'inscrivent spontanément à ce type de programme, et 4,6 % avec une rémunération de 40 dollars par mois.En France, cette logique existe déjà depuis 2006 avec Voltalis. L'entreprise installe gratuitement des thermostats et peut réduire temporairement certains chauffages électriques lors des pics de tension. Plus de 200 000 logements sont équipés, et Voltalis vise 2 gigawatts de flexibilité d'ici fin 2026. La vraie question, désormais, concerne les data centers eux-mêmes. Peuvent-ils décaler certaines tâches, comme les sauvegardes ou l'entraînement de modèles, vers les heures creuses ? Avec l'IA, l'échelle change : demain, un seul rack pourrait consommer jusqu'à un mégawatt. La flexibilité devient donc indispensable, mais elle ne peut pas reposer uniquement sur les foyers. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Stay informed on current events, visit www.NaturalNews.com  - PJM Grid Crisis and Data Center Impact (0:10) - PJM's Reserve Shortfall and Price Controls (3:26) - Impact of Data Centers on PJM Grid (6:04) - Preparation for Power Outages (12:44) - Battery Technology and Future Investments (27:26) - IPOs and Market Bubbles (30:56) - Introduction of First Green Electric Skid Steers (54:09) - Advantages of Electric Skid Steers (1:05:56) - Challenges and Future of Electric Equipment (1:12:49) - Remote Control and Job Efficiency (1:22:42) - Skepticism and Operator Experience (1:27:35) - Product Models and Market Positioning (1:28:39) - Pricing and Maintenance (1:30:33) - Future of Electric Heavy Equipment (1:34:40) - Safety and Operator Training (1:44:13) - Customer Experience and Dealer Network (1:49:04) - Regulatory and Market Dynamics (1:52:02) - Future of Battery Technology (1:52:43) - Decentralized Living and Off-Grid Solutions (1:53:58) - Anniversary and Guest Announcements (2:25:52) - UNA Consultations and Market Demand (2:31:45) - Legal Recognition and Benefits of UNAs (2:35:07) - Risk Management and Liability (2:37:58) - Technology and Innovation (2:40:48) - Show Production and Guest Invitations (2:52:22) - Supporting Providers and Product Recommendations (2:52:38) - Closing Remarks and Future Plans (2:52:56) Watch more independent videos at http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport  ▶️ Support our mission by shopping at the Health Ranger Store - https://www.healthrangerstore.com ▶️ Check out exclusive deals and special offers at https://rangerdeals.com ▶️ Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html Watch more exclusive videos here:

Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, an in-depth investigatory show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (6/3/26). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth is, or claiming they have the answer, is likely leading you astray, for one reason or another. Stay Vigilant. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble");   Rumble("play", {"video":"v78ljpa","div":"rumble_v78ljpa"}); Source Links (In Chronological Order): (21) Chris Menahan

The Other Side of the Story with Tom Harris and Todd Royal – Judging from recent reports on the reliability of the PJM electric power grid, as well as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, not to mention California's dance with converting to more and more intermittent wind and solar power, it sure looks like it. What will happen to Ottawa, Canada, one of the coldest capital cities in the...

The Other Side of the Story with Tom Harris and Todd Royal – Judging from recent reports on the reliability of the PJM electric power grid, as well as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, not to mention California's dance with converting to more and more intermittent wind and solar power, it sure looks like it. What will happen to Ottawa, Canada, one of the coldest capital cities in the...

Energy resilience for homeowners is the mission behind Energy Access Innovations, a multi-brand clean energy company building an end-to-end ecosystem for solar and battery storage. Nicole Tomasin, Chief Commercial Officer at EAI, joins Tim Montague to explain how the company serves the consumers the rest of the industry ignores, including DIYers and rural markets.Battery storage and solar access for homeowners is moving beyond coastal markets and high-income consumers. Energy Access Innovations has built a multi-brand portfolio covering distribution, DIY support, installation, and financing under one mission: making energy resilience affordable for every American. Nicole walks Tim through how the company's sister brands, including EG4, Signature Solar, Outback Power, Solar 76, Sun Atlas Power, and EA365, work together to serve customers that most distributors and installers turn away. The company's new XR60 battery, 60 kWh with a 16 kW inverter for under $20,000, and its EA365 prepaid lease, which returns a 30% rebate directly to homeowners, are proof that affordability and transparency are not competing goals. Here is what you will learn in this conversation about residential battery storage affordability and energy resilience:You will find out how the XR60 delivers 60 kWh of storage and a 16 kW inverter for under $20,000, why it ships as a single freestanding unit weighing 1,600 pounds, and when it arrives in market.Learn how the EA365 prepaid lease returns a 30% rebate directly to homeowners, making the residential ITC phase-out less damaging for consumers who no longer qualify for the tax credit.Understand why Energy Access Innovations built Sun Atlas Power, its own EPC company, to capture DIY customers who need installation help, and how it taps a network of 2,000 to 3,000 regional contractors already buying through Signature Solar.Find out why Tim pushed back on a California developer's claim that consumer-owned residential batteries are done, and what EAI's experience with DIY customers suggests about that prediction.You will hear why Texas surpassed California in storage deployment, how PJM grid services programs are generating returns that recover a battery investment in two to three years, and why Illinois is a priority market for EAI.The residential ITC phase-out is compressing margins across the solar industry and pushing more customers toward third-party ownership models. Illinois is incentivizing 1.8 gigawatts of distributed batteries through its clean energy incentive program, and Texas has already surpassed California in storage deployment. Contractors who are not yet offering storage are running out of time to get positioned.Connect with Nicole Tomasin, Energy Access Innovations Nicole Tomasi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-santos-tomasin/Sun Atlas Power: https://www.sunatlaspower.com/Episode 325, James Showalter: https://youtu.be/7CoJQ_lTLkU Support the showConnect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  CleanPowerHour@gmail.comCorporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com

The era of stagnant electricity demand in the US is over. Data centres, electrification, and reshoring of manufacturing are driving a surge in demand that is stronger that anything that anyone currently working in the industry has yet seen in their professional lifetimes. The question of which market and regulatory structures are needed to respond to this new and fast-changing world is now at the centre of the policy debate.Host Ed Crooks is joined by Drew Maloney, President and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute, the trade body representing America's investor-owned utilities, which together serve more than 70 per cent of the US population. Drew argues that the current moment is exposing a fundamental divide in the US power system: vertically integrated, regulated utilities can plan generation, transmission, and distribution over 20-year horizons, while competitive markets like PJM are struggling to send the investment signals needed to get new power plants built.The conversation starts with one of the hottest topics in US politics: affordability and household electricity bills. There are some misconceptions about electricity bills that have gained traction with the American public. Drew points to EEI research showing that 34 states have kept increases in electricity rates below general consumer price inflation over the past five years. And he adds that the states where prices are rising fastest tend to be in deregulated markets, where capacity costs are climbing but no new generation is being built.Ed draws on the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's 2025 study of electricity bills and data centres (You can read that study here.). That study found that demand growth alone did not explain rising bills, and that the drivers vary significantly by region, from wildfire mitigation costs in California to capacity market dynamics in PJM and New England.They move on to another hot topic in the industry today: whether data centres and other large loads should go “off grid” and rely entirely on local on-site generation. Drew pushes back against the narrative that this model is now becoming widespread, arguing there is more talk than action. Building duplicative generation to create “five nines” reliability for a data centre is expensive, and can still be unreliable without grid backup. It also pulls investment and workforce away from the shared infrastructure that benefits all customers. Most data centres want grid access, even if some are pursuing hybrid approaches in the interim until their hook-ups to the network can be connected.The episode also covers FERC Chairman Laura Swett's emerging approach to market intervention, the prospects for bipartisan permitting reform in Congress, and the ratepayer protection plan brokered between the White House and the major hyperscalers. Drew closes with an optimistic long view: the current moment, though it needs careful management, could be an opportunity to transform the US grid for the better.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Episode 2 of The Briefing Room's energy series, Dom Butchko sits down with Jason Stanek, Executive Director of Governmental Services at PJM Interconnection, to unpack the role of energy regions in Maryland's power future. The conversation breaks down what PJM is, how it works with states and local governments, why the interconnection queue has drawn so much attention, and what improvements are underway. The episode also looks ahead to the future of the regional grid, including where new generation, transmission, reliability, and demand pressures may shape the next phase of the energy conversation.Follow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook

Alberto Lamadrid, professor of economics at Lehigh University College of Business, talks about the rise in data centers.More on Lehigh's ACES (Center for Advancing Community Electrification Solutions)What is PJM?Learn More about Alberto Lamadrid

The County Council is trying to balance new progressive income tax brackets by removing the flat homestead tax credit of $692 that goes to county homeowners when they live in the house they own. Maryland People' Counsel David Lapp explains his complaint against the regional electricity grid operator, PJM, for unlawfully allocating the cost of new transmission projects to Maryland ratepayers. And a group of clean water advocacy nonprofits are suing the state of Maryland over the lax control over industrial stormwater runoff in the state. And more. Music by Silver Spring rock musician MYSTR Treefrog.

Join the conversation with C4 & Bryan Nehman.  The latest on Hantavirus. Trump rejects Iran response to a deal.  Calls to suspend federal gas tax.  Moore vs PJM.  Dr. Kari Moore Debbink, Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health, joined the show discussing Hantavirus.  Should Anne Arundel Co School teachers be required to assist in potty training 5-year-olds?  Listen to C4 & Bryan weekdays from 5:30-10am on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio app!!

Join the conversation with C4 & Bryan Nehman.  President Trump did not like the latest deal Iran Brought to the table.  Numerous acts of violence in the city over the weekend.  Is there a deal between Bill Ferguson & Governor Wes Moore.  David Lapp from the MD Office of People's Council joined the show to discuss PJM atempting to assign $2 billion in data center costs to Marylanders.  President of the MD State Senate also joined the show to weigh in on the data center discussion.  Are we ready for another virus.  Listen to C4 & Bryan weekdays from 5:30-10am on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio app!!

Episode 309 starts with cracks forming inside OPEC as clean energy and EV adoption begin to reshape global oil demand. We look at why producers may rush to sell while they still can, then shift to fusion power timelines that are still far off, a transit upgrade that paid for itself in months—not years—and Spain's grid proving renewables weren't to blame for its massive blackout. Plus, how LEDs quietly crushed one of the biggest sources of household electricity use. Commonwealth Fusion Systems applying to connect a 400 MW plant Planned for Virginia's "Data Center Alley" Would serve part of the PJM grid (65M+ people) Timeline: not anytime soon   BART Gates Pay Off in 6 Months $90M upgrade to new fare gates Expected 9-year payback → actually 6 months Story: https://growsf.org/news/2026-02-12-bart-fare-gates-10-million/ Spain's Blackout: Renewables Cleared 2025 blackout initially blamed on solar   Lightning Round Lithium supply more than sufficient EV buses: 56% of EU sales Oslo road deaths ~1/year after redesign India skipping coal boom thanks to cheap renewables Contact Us cleanenergyshow@gmail.com or leave us an online voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/clean Support The Clean Energy Show Join the Clean Club on our Patreon Page to receive perks for supporting the podcast and our planet! Our PayPal Donate Page offers one-time or regular donations. Store Visit The Clean Energy Show Store for T-shirts, hats, and more!. Copyright 2026 Sneeze Media.

In episode 219, we analysed the relationship between hyperscalers and US utilities from the hyperscaler perspective. To complete the picture, we revisit the debate from the utility's point of view.Gerard and Laurent welcome Rajiv Bajaj, VP of Solutions Sales at Constellation, to understand how utilities approach this rapidly evolving landscape. Spun out of Exelon a few years ago, Constellation was initially seen as the “ugly duckling,” but it was sitting on a major advantage: a large nuclear fleet. What was considered a liability in the 2010s has become a strategic asset as hyperscalers search for clean, reliable 24/7 power.The acquisition of Calpine and its large CCGT fleet turned Constellation into the largest US utility in terms of capacity, with around 60 GW (half nuclear, half gas) and roughly 200 TWh of annual generation—placing the company at the centre of discussions with hyperscalers and data centre developers.Constellation's approach remains cautious. The company is only gradually moving into batteries, is bullish on demand response following the surge in PJM capacity prices and is exploring upgrades to its nuclear fleet while remaining sceptical about. Geothermal. where the Company is active, is attractive but seen as difficult to scale.The overall picture is one of disciplined conservatism. Constellation cannot easily be pushed by aggressive data centre developers because it already has the right generation mix at the right time. Its core objective is simple: maximise fleet load factors and sell MWh at the highest possible price. Gas assets operate in the mid-merit order with strong spark spreads, while nuclear requires higher long-term prices to justify further investment, as illustrated by the Microsoft-supported Three Mile Island restart.With around 90% of its capacity built in the 20th century, Constellation is focused on upgrading and optimising its existing fleet rather than pursuing large-scale expansion. For hyperscalers, understanding this mindset is key when engaging with utilities.

When the workings of an electricity market come to the attention of the White House, it's usually a sign that something's wrong. Back in January, 13 state governors went to the White House to agree plans for PJM, the largest electricity market in the US. The market is scrambling to find more energy supply to keep up with the boom in data centers, while holding down ratepayers' bills. Managing the PJM grid is one of the toughest jobs in the US power industry. And these days it is being carried out in the full glare of political and public scrutiny.If you want to understand the pressures bearing down on the US electricity, PJM is the place to look. It is the largest grid in the country, serving 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. And it is some of the world's most intense hotspots for new data center development, including the famous “data center alley” of northern Virginia, which takes roughly 90% of the country's internet traffic . When things get complicated for PJM, they get complicated for everyone.On this episode, host Ed Crooks is joined by Asim Haque, Senior Vice President for Governmental and Member Services at PJM, and by regular guest Amy Myers Jaffe, Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University. Together, they unpack how PJM got itself noticed by the White House, and how its problems can be tackled.Asim explains the organization he works for. PJM is a nonprofit that operates the grid, runs the electricity market, and plans the transmission system. It is regulated by FERC, but also accountable to a thousand-plus members across 13 states, each with its own energy policies, its own governor, and its own politics. That structural complexity is central to why running PJM is so challenging.Those problems converged from two directions: decarbonization and data centers. The result has been soaring prices in the PJM capacity market. And when those prices were capped, the alarms about a future reliability crisis started flashing red.The White House responded by convening all 13 governors of the states covered by PJM, and produced a statement of principles for bringing new generation capacity into the market. As Asim explains, these principles lie behind the plan for a backstop reliability procurement, designed as a one-time mechanism to bring new electricity supply onto the system quickly.There is also an expectation that data centres will bring their own generation; and a "connect and manage" framework for those that don't. The key feature of that: data centers can have their supply curtailed before residential customers lose power. The White House and the governors agreed that the bill for grid and generation improvements to meet rising demand should be paid by the data centers. It sounds straightforward, but is it really? Asim explains his perspective.The episode also examines the deeper design questions about PJM's capacity market: whether a three-year forward procurement window can send the right signals for the long-term investment the grid now needs. Amy brings the consumer and policy lens throughout. Are the complexities of cost allocation and market design inherent to the electricity system, or are they manufactured and even sometimes exaggerated? And can they sometimes militate against lower-cost solutions such as renewables and batteries?Asim ends by offering some advice for other grid operators. If you are not going to gate demand, you need a connect-and-manage approach; if you are not going to gate demand, it will get expensive; and if it is going to get expensive, you need to decide who pays. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Read more from VPM News: Gov. Abigail Spanberger's last-minute actions on 11 issues State-run hospitals lack clear policy on ‘forensic patient' custody transfers Other links: Virginia police search vehicle surveillance data 24/7. It isn't always clear why (Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism at WHRO)  Avula pitches Richmond spending database — without invoice descriptions, payer names (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*  Henrico issues immediate burn ban: What that means for you (WTVR)  In the wake of Centra's Farmville maternity care closure, some families say the risk to have more kids might be too high (Charlottesville Tomorrow)  10 Virginia hospitals listed as ‘at risk,' but what does that really mean? (Cardinal News)  Spanberger joins other governors in push for PJM to prioritize ratepayer protections (Virginia Mercury)  *This outlet uses a paywall.  It's our pledge drive through April 17! You can support our award-winning work by visiting VPM.org/challenges to help us bloom and grow this spring. When you designate your donation to the news challenge, you will help VPM News unlock a $10,000 bonus in support of an informed community! 

In 2019, when Julia Hoos moved to Houston for a role with Boston Consulting Group, she had no interest in the energy industry. For one thing, it was — and largely remains — a boy's club. For another, energy just didn't excite her. But as she started learning about the energy transition, Julia became curious. Before long, she was crunching numbers for an oil and gas client looking to understand how California's zero-emissions vehicle mandate would impact demand for its fuel products. Then, in 2022, Julia joined power market analytics firm Aurora Energy Research, where she focuses on the eastern U.S. and the PJM power market. This week on With Great Power, Julia talks to Brad Langley about the pressures that PJM is facing, and its reform efforts. They also discuss how demand flexibility could support more data centers without adding new generation, and how utilities are using large load tariffs to manage costs and grid reliability. Credits: Hosted by Brad Langley. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor. Edited by Anne Bailey. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor. The GridX production team includes Jenni Barber, Samantha McCabe, and Brad Langley.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Benoy Thanjan sits down with Nobel Chang, Co-Founder & CEO of Palladium Energy, to discuss how AI is transforming solar and infrastructure development. Nobel shares how Palladium built Scout IQ, an AI-driven development engine that has enabled a 3-person team to originate 2.7 GW of projects and dramatically compressing timelines, reducing costs, and redefining scalability in solar development. The conversation explores the future of AI in renewables, the convergence of solar, storage, and data centers, and what it takes to become a “10x developer” in today's market. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Nobel Chang Nobel Chang is the Chief Commercial Officer at Palladium Energy.  Nobel leads business development, market strategy, and commercial execution. Starting his solar career in 2009, Nobel has originated and developed DG and utility-scale projects in CAISO, Northwest, MISO, ISO-NE, PJM, and Southeast markets in the United States. He also has developed and financed projects in Mexico, Chile, and Japan. Prior to co-founding Palladium Energy, Nobel was the VP of Development at US Topco Energy, started a greenfield development company, then joined Pine Gate Renewables as the VP of New Markets and Capital Strategy. He earned his BS in Business and MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com  LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Website: https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com/      Nobel Chang     Website: https://www.pd46energy.com/     Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nobelchang/     ScoutIQ Press Release:     https://www.scoutiq.dev/news/scoutiq-opens-to-power-infrastructure-developers      Please provide 5 star reviews      If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share the Solar Maverick Podcast so more people can learn how to accelerate the clean energy transition.    Reneu Energy Reneu Energy provides expert consulting across solar and storage project development, financing, energy strategy, and environmental commodities. Our team helps clients originate, structure, and execute opportunities in community solar, C&I, utility-scale, and renewable energy credit markets. Email us at info@reneuenergy.com to learn more.

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 policy is critical to economic strength, competitiveness, and national security. Topics include: Top priorities for the National Energy Dominance Council, AI-driven electricity demand and the race for global leadership, Stabilize, optimize, and grow: a three-part framework for grid transformation. Co-location of data centers and generation resources, PJM market reforms and the future of power markets, Balancing affordability, reliability, and infrastructure investment, And the importance of regulatory flexibility and stakeholder collaboration. Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA Guest: Peter Lake, Senior Director of Power, White House National Energy Dominance CouncilLiked this episode? Share it on X @EPSANews or LinkedIn at Electric Power Supply Association. Want more competitive power updates? Sign up for our monthly Power Moves newsletter.

Energy bills are rising, data centers are multiplying, and the grid is straining to keep up. What happens next? For two decades, electricity prices in the United States barely moved. Demand was flat, natural gas was cheap, and the system was largely stable. That era is over. A surge in data center construction, accelerating electrification, and the legacy of years of underinvestment in energy infrastructure have collided to create a system under strain.Nowhere is that more visible than in PJM, the largest wholesale power market in the US, stretching from Illinois to North Carolina, and home to some of the world's most active hot spots for data center development. Host Ed Crooks is joined by Paul Segal, CEO of LS Power, and Melissa Lott, Partner for Energy Technologies at Microsoft, to assess how the system can meet the new challenges it faces.LS Power is a leading developer and operator of electricity generation and transmission, so Paul is right at the heart of these questions. He is making multi-billion dollar decisions that shape the ways that America's electricity gets supplied.He makes the case that competitive markets, given the right rules and durable signals, can deliver the solutions the grid needs. LS Power is pursuing demand response, battery storage, renewable projects, and gas generation simultaneously. And he warns that political interventions, such as price caps, risk weakening the signals that drive investment. The question of who pays is at the heart of the debate. A bipartisan group of state governors got together with the Trump administration to call for emergency procurement of new generation capacity in PJM, with data centers expected to bear the cost. Paul argues this is inevitable. For hyperscalers to maintain a social license to keep building, he says, households cannot be left to pick up the bill for load growth created by data centers. Melissa brings the consumer perspective, noting that US household electricity prices rose 26% between 2019 and 2024, outpacing income growth and falling hardest on the most energy-vulnerable families. The episode also looks at longer-term structural solutions, including the case for more competition in transmission planning and the lessons from Texas's wildly successful CREZ program to build out grid infrastructure.It closes with a discussion of another issue that is high on Paul's agenda: mentorship and training. He believes industry leaders have a responsibility to create opportunities for the next generation, despite the threat to entry-level roles created by AI. There is a huge task in front of us to build the grid of the future, and we need skilled and experienced people to do it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a major renewable operator decide what gets built, where, and with whose capital? Lolita Carry, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Engie North America, explains how Engie manages a 20GW BESS, wind, and solar pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO.In this episode Alejandro de Diego speaks with Lolita Carry about how one of the US's largest battery storage operators structures its investment decisions across multiple ISO markets.They take a look at how Engie steers a 20GW development pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO; the capital recycling model behind Engie's 2.7GW asset sale to SES; what the Broad Reach Power acquisition brought to Engie's battery portfolio; how ancillary service saturation and energy price cannibalisation are reshaping BESS investment cases; and why Engie remains bullish on batteries despite tightening revenues.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters:0:00 Introduction — Engie's 20GW pipeline and the portfolio challenge4:01 Capital allocation and key technologies in focus5:17 Priority ISO markets: ERCOT, PJM, MISO, CAISO6:04 What makes each market unique 9:27 BESS + solar development: from site to FID11:00 Risk assessment and project showstoppers12:32 Network upgrades and interconnection queue dynamics14:49 Raising and lowering the investment bar across markets18:01 Where Engie captures the most value: development vs. construction vs. operations18:59 The capital recycling model — Engie's 2.7GW SES deal explained20:20 How grid-scale batteries operate day to day21:45 BESS revenue decline: ancillary services, cannibalisation, and energy arbitrage22:34 Investment stance23:27 In-house energy management vs. external optimisers24:07 Advantages of scale vs. smaller developers29:10 Career advice for those entering the energy investment sector30:20 The Broad Reach Power acquisition — lessons and integration32:05 Final plug and contrarian view on the energy industry

How does a major renewable operator decide what gets built, where, and with whose capital? Lolita Carry, Director of Portfolio Strategy at Engie North America, explains how Engie manages a 20GW BESS, wind, and solar pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO.In this episode Alejandro de Diego speaks with Lolita Carry about how one of the US's largest battery storage operators structures its investment decisions across multiple ISO markets.They take a look at how Engie steers a 20GW development pipeline across ERCOT, PJM, MISO, and CAISO; the capital recycling model behind Engie's 2.7GW asset sale to SES; what the Broad Reach Power acquisition brought to Engie's battery portfolio; how ancillary service saturation and energy price cannibalisation are reshaping BESS investment cases; and why Engie remains bullish on batteries despite tightening revenues.You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Diego - US Market AnalystModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage understand the market — and make the most out of their assets. Want all the latest power market news? Sign up for our free Weekly Dispatch newsletter: https://bit.ly/TheWeeklyDispatchChapters:0:00 Introduction — Engie's 20GW pipeline and the portfolio challenge4:01 Capital allocation and key technologies in focus5:17 Priority ISO markets: ERCOT, PJM, MISO, CAISO6:04 What makes each market unique 9:27 BESS + solar development: from site to FID11:00 Risk assessment and project showstoppers12:32 Network upgrades and interconnection queue dynamics14:49 Raising and lowering the investment bar across markets18:01 Where Engie captures the most value: development vs. construction vs. operations18:59 The capital recycling model — Engie's 2.7GW SES deal explained20:20 How grid-scale batteries operate day to day21:45 BESS revenue decline: ancillary services, cannibalisation, and energy arbitrage22:34 Investment stance23:27 In-house energy management vs. external optimisers24:07 Advantages of scale vs. smaller developers29:10 Career advice for those entering the energy investment sector30:20 The Broad Reach Power acquisition — lessons and integration32:05 Final plug and contrarian view on the energy industry

When Kurt Borchardt opened his latest electricity bill, he thought there was a mistake.当库尔特·博查特（音译）收到最新一期电费账单时，他简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。"Our electric bill doubled in one month. Almost a $3,000-$4,000 jump on a single bill," wrote Borchardt, co-owner of Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs, New York, describing the shock on social media."我们一个月的电费翻了一番。单张账单就涨了近三四千美元，"纽约萨拉托加斯普林斯市Artisanal Brew Works啤酒厂合伙人博查特（音译）在社交媒体上描述了当时的震惊。The brewery had already endured a slow winter season, traditionally its weakest period. Then came what he said was a 133-percent increase in electricity prices. The company's National Grid bill has now become its second-largest expense after rent, squeezing margins at a time when customer traffic remains slow.该啤酒厂刚熬过传统上最惨淡的冬季淡季。紧接着就遭遇了133%的电价涨幅。如今，国家电网公司的账单已成为该厂仅次于房租的第二大开支，在客流量持续低迷之际进一步挤压利润空间。"When I saw that bill, I fell out of my chair," Borchardt told local television station WTEN. His frustration reflects a broader national trend."看到账单时，我惊得从椅子上站了起来，"博查特对当地电视台WTEN表示。他的无奈折射出美国正面临的全国性趋势。Electricity prices in the United States are emerging as a new source of economic strain, raising concerns about inflation, industrial competitiveness and political risk, particularly after a colder-than-average winter drove up heating demand and tightened natural gas markets.美国电价正成为新的经济压力源，引发对通胀、工业竞争力和政治风险的担忧——特别是在遭遇比往年更冷的冬季，取暖需求上升而天然气市场供应趋紧之后。The most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report showed that overall inflation rose 2.4 percent in the past 12 months ending in January while electricity prices increased 6.3 percent. Though gasoline prices have fluctuated, electricity bills have continued to climb steadily, placing sustained pressure on both households and businesses.美国劳工统计局最新消费者价格指数报告显示，过去12个月（截至1月）整体通胀上涨2.4%，而电价涨幅达6.3%。尽管汽油价格有所波动，电价却持续攀升，给家庭和企业带来持续压力。One key factor behind the rise in electricity prices is surging power demand from data centers and artificial intelligence applications. As the US accelerates investment in AI infrastructure, electricity consumption from large-scale computing facilities has expanded rapidly, placing additional strain on an already aging power grid.电价上涨的关键推手之一是数据中心和人工智能应用的电力需求激增。随着美国加速AI基础设施投资，大型计算设施的耗电量快速扩张，给本已老化的电网带来额外负担。"Since electricity is a very inelastic good, these price increases will continue to put upward pressure on inflation," Aaron Pacitti, an economics professor at Siena University, told China Daily. "One of the main drivers of this increase is the rise in electricity demand from data centers and increased usage of AI.""由于电力属于极度缺乏弹性的商品，这些涨价将持续推高通胀，"锡耶纳大学经济学教授亚伦·帕西蒂（音译）向《中国日报》表示，"主要驱动因素之一就是数据中心用电需求增长和AI使用量增加。"According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, data centers accounted for about 4.4 percent of total US electricity consumption in 2023. Depending on the pace of broader economic growth, that share is projected to rise to between 6.7 percent and 12 percent by 2028.据劳伦斯伯克利国家实验室数据，2023年数据中心约占美国总用电量的4.4%。根据整体经济增长速度，预计到2028年这一比例将升至6.7%至12%。Similar challenges are emerging in other major technology markets as governments seek to balance the rapid growth of artificial intelligence with the need for a reliable power supply.随着各国政府寻求在AI快速发展与可靠电力供应之间取得平衡，其他主要科技市场也面临类似挑战。In the United States, the surge in electricity demand is already beginning to show up in capacity markets.在美国，电力需求激增已开始在容量市场中显现。PJM's latest capacity auction for the 2027-28 delivery year fell 6,623 megawatts short of its reliability requirement, underscoring a growing imbalance between electricity supply and demand, according to a Dec 17 news release from the grid operator, which serves 13 states and the District of Columbia.根据为13个州及哥伦比亚特区服务的电网运营商PJM去年12月17日发布的新闻稿，其最近一次2027-2028交付年度的容量拍卖较可靠性要求缺口达662.3万千瓦，凸显电力供需失衡加剧。Capacity auctions are forward-looking markets in which grid operators secure commitments from power plants to ensure sufficient supply during future peak demand periods.容量拍卖是电网运营商确保未来高峰用电期供应的前瞻性市场。"But this auction leaves no doubt that data centers' demand for electricity continues to far outstrip new supply, and the solution will require concerted action involving PJM, its stakeholders, state and federal partners, and the data center industry itself," said Stu Bresler, executive vice-president of market services and strategy at PJM."但此次拍卖明确表明，数据中心的电力需求仍远超新增供应，解决方案需要PJM、利益相关方、州和联邦合作伙伴以及数据中心行业本身采取协同行动，"PJM市场服务与战略执行副总裁斯图·布莱斯勒（音译）表示。Economists warn that persistently higher utility costs could weigh on overall economic momentum.经济学家警告，持续高企的公用事业成本可能拖累整体经济动能。Production costs生产成本For manufacturers, especially in energy-intensive sectors, higher electricity prices translate directly into rising production costs.对制造商而言，尤其是在能源密集型行业，电价上涨直接转化为生产成本上升。"Higher energy costs will act as a drag on growth and competitiveness for US firms and heighten the affordability issues facing US households," Pacitti said. "Since demand from data centers and AI is unlikely to subside anytime soon, these price increases will act as a modest headwind to growth.""能源成本上升将拖累美国企业的增长和竞争力，加剧美国家庭的支付难题，"帕西蒂说，"由于数据中心和AI需求短期内不太可能减弱，这些涨价将成为增长的轻微阻力。"Beyond demand growth, structural challenges are also contributing to the problem. In many parts of the country, utility companies purchase electricity through wholesale markets, and when demand rises faster than supply, prices increase for all consumers, according to Ari Peskoe, director of the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard Law School.哈佛大学法学院电力法律倡议主任阿里·佩斯科认为，除了需求增长，结构性挑战也在加剧问题。美国许多地区的公用事业公司通过批发市场购电，当需求增长快于供应时，所有消费者的电价都会上涨。economic strain /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈstreɪn/经济压力fluctuate /ˈflʌktʃueɪt/波动inelastic good /ˌɪnɪˈlæstɪk ˈɡʊd/缺乏弹性的商品capacity markets /kəˈpæsəti ˌmɑːkɪts/容量市场capacity auction /kəˈpæsəti ˌɔːkʃən/容量拍卖utility costs /juːˈtɪləti ˈkɒsts/公用事业成本

PJM is the largest wholesale power market and transmission planning region in the US. Currently, it is stuck between a rock and a hard place: on one side, rising demand from data centers; on the other, a choked and congested interconnection queue that can't keep pace. The result: rising prices and political discontent. I talk with Clara Summers of the Citizens Utility Board about how PJM can solve this dilemma and get prices under control. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribe

The League Episode #42 – Show Notes In episode 42 of The League, David Magid and Benoy Thanjan break down major developments shaping power markets, grid modernization, and clean energy investment. David highlights PJM's proposed emergency capacity auction featuring 15-year contracts, a potential game changer for project finance and new generation. He also covers Massachusetts' vehicle-to-grid pilot, signaling early progress toward virtual power plants. Benoy shares insights from DistribuTech, where AI-driven load growth, microgrids, and grid resiliency dominated conversations. He also reports from the Cleantech Forum, where venture capital is becoming more cautious and capital efficiency is now critical for startups. The big picture: the energy transition continues, but market signals, grid constraints, and tighter capital are reshaping how projects get built and financed.   Host Bio: Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market.  As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio.  Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Connect with Benoy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoythanjan/ Learn more: https://reneuenergy.com https://www.solarmaverickpodcast.com   Host Bio: David Magid David Magid is a seasoned renewable energy executive with deep expertise in solar development, financing, and operations. He has worked across the clean energy value chain, leading teams that deliver distributed generation and community solar projects. David is widely recognized for his strategic insights on interconnection, market economics, and policy trends shaping the U.S. solar industry. Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmagid/  If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at info@reneuenergy.com.  

Last year, the PJM capacity crunch became a focal point for an entire industry struggling to navigate the explosive growth of hyperscaler data centers. Yet even in the first two months of 2026, capacity prices have continued to skyrocket, and the economics of energy generation have only become more tenuous.  In this episode, Shayle Kann talks to Paul Segal, the CEO of LS Power. A major player in the space, LS Power owns a diverse portfolio of generation, storage, and transmission assets across the U.S. Shayle and Paul dive into the volatility currently defining the two most talked-about power markets in the country: PJM and ERCOT. They cover topics like: How PJM flipped nearly overnight from a state of "stasis" to a capacity shortage The federal government's emergency order to make large data centers "pay their way"  Why 10 gigawatts of expected load failed to show up during the recent Texas winter storm Why Paul sees ERCOT as a “cyclical” market that is currently difficult for new gas generation, despite massive load growth Paul's strategy for ensuring sufficient “bridge” generation before new large-scale projects come online Resources Catalyst: PJM and the capacity crunch Latitude Media: PJM's $178 billion fork in the road Catalyst: The potential for flexible data centers Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Max Savage Levenson. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor. Catalyst is brought to you by Uplight. Uplight activates energy customers and their connected devices to generate, shift, and save energy—improving grid resilience and energy affordability while accelerating decarbonization. Learn how Uplight is helping utilities unlock flexible load at scale at uplight.com.  Catalyst is brought to you by Antenna Group, the public relations and strategic marketing agency of choice for climate, energy, and infrastructure leaders. If you're a startup, investor, or global corporation that's looking to tell your climate story, demonstrate your impact, or accelerate your growth, Antenna Group's team of industry insiders is ready to help. Learn more at antennagroup.com. Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.

Most people think the electric grid is a giant battery—store power when there's extra and pull it out when you need it. Simple. And completely wrong. In this episode, David R. Legates explains how the electric grid actually works: a just-in-time system where electricity must be generated and consumed almost simultaneously. Using clear analogies, he walks through generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption—and shows why reliability depends on energy sources that can be used when needed. The discussion also explores why wind and solar, which are non-dispatchable, cannot keep the lights on without constant real-time backup, and how rising demand, grid operators like PJM, and policy choices affect reliability and cost. If you want to understand why blackouts happen, why electricity prices are rising, and why the grid is far more fragile than most people realize, this episode is for you.Sources:https://www.caesarrodney.org/post/delaware-s-energy-crossroads-rising-demand-shrinking-reliabilityhttps://16f05e07-790c-4e37-8967-e07503198f80.usrfiles.com/ugd/16f05e_950ecbbff4b54cbc8b9223d8dc890591.pdfVisit our podcast resource page: https://cornwallalliance.org/listen%20to%20our%20podcast%20created%20to%20reign/Our work is entirely supported by donations from people like you. If you benefit from our work and would like to partner with us, please visit www.cornwallalliance.org/donate.

You won't want to miss this episode of the Energy Impacts podcast with Jim Welty, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, as we gear up to talk about the global Natural Gas markets. We are covering the impact on the US consumers and manufacturing growth. We will be live on LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. The main topics discussed in this Podcast are:1. The importance of natural gas in providing reliable energy during extreme winter weather conditions, particularly in the Marcellus Shale region and the PJM grid.Jim Welty discusses how natural gas generation has been crucial in ensuring electricity and heating supply during recent cold snaps, with natural gas providing around 40% of the PJM grid's generation. He contrasts this with the issues faced in the ISO New England region, where fuel switching to oil was required due to insufficient natural gas supply.2. The challenges of building energy infrastructure, particularly pipelines, in the Northeastern United States.The transcript discusses how policies and regulations have hindered the development of pipelines like the Constitution Pipeline, which would have helped supply natural gas from the Marcellus Shale to the Northeast. This has led to the region relying on more expensive and higher-emission energy sources.3. The growth of data centers and the role of natural gas in powering this new economy.The discussion covers the significant investment and development of data centers and AI facilities in Pennsylvania, and how natural gas is well-positioned to meet the growing energy demands of this sector in a reliable and cost-effective manner.4. The clean credentials of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale region, especially in comparison to other global suppliers.The transcript highlights how natural gas from the Marcellus Shale has the lowest methane intensity of any major gas-producing region, making it an attractive option for European and other international markets seeking to reduce emissions.5. The political and policy challenges faced by the natural gas industry, particularly in navigating the push for renewable energy sources.The discussion touches on the tensions between the natural gas industry and policymakers who are promoting renewable energy, even when it may not be the most practical or reliable solution in certain regions and applications.Check out Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-welty-336b77105/Check out the articles on David Blackmon's Substack. https://blackmon.substack.com/

The nation’s largest electric grid operator outlines its plan to manage rapid growth in data center electricity demand. --- PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator, is preparing to file a wide-ranging proposal with federal regulators aimed at managing the rapid growth of electricity demand, including AI-driven data centers. The plan stands out as one of the first comprehensive efforts by a grid operator to address surging load from new technologies while maintaining system reliability and limiting cost impacts on consumers. The proposal arrives at a moment when the electric grid is under growing stress. Tightening power supply-demand balances, high-profile grid failures, and a series of narrowly avoided outages have raised concerns about whether the power system can continue to meet demand reliably. At the same time, those pressures have increasingly shown up in electricity prices, which have increased sharply in many areas. PJM’s proposal tries to answer a question grid operators across the country are now facing: how to say “yes” to large new loads without turning reliability into a gamble or costs into an afterthought. The plan lays out a structured approach to integrating data centers and other large loads, with an eye toward keeping commitments realistic and aligning responsibility with impact. Abe Silverman is an assistant research scholar with the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University and a former general counsel to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Tom Rutigliano is senior advocate for climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where his work focuses on PJM. Both participated in the policy discussions surrounding PJM’s proposal, and provide their perspective on its potential impacts on grid reliability, consumers, and the potential rate of datacenter growth. Abe Silverman is an assistant research scholar with the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University and a former general counsel to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. Tom Rutigliano is senior advocate for climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, where his work focuses on PJM. Related Content Communities Are at Risk If We Don’t Slow the Roll on Data Center Development https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/commentary/blog/communities-are-at-risk-if-we-dont-slow-the-roll-on-data-center-development/ Energy System Planning: New Models for Accelerating Decarbonization https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/research/publications/energy-system-planning-new-models-for-accelerating-decarbonization/ Energy Policy Now is produced by The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. For all things energy policy, visit kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Rodas, environmental reporter for NJ Advance Media, explains why utility costs in New Jersey have spiked over the last several years and the details of Gov. Mikie Sherrill's state of emergency on utility costs.

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 Mason Emnett, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at Constellation Energy, the nation's largest nuclear power plant operator and largest private-sector power producer. They discuss what's really behind today's energy demand forecasts, why misunderstanding new load profiles can lead to costly overreactions, what the Crane Clean Energy Center restart tells us about the future of nuclear power, what's happening in PJM, and why competitive markets – where investors bear the risk, not consumers – matter more than ever as the U.S. enters a new era of electricity growth. Topics include: Why AI and data centers are changing electricity demand, The biggest misunderstandings about new load growth, Who should bear the risk when demand forecasts or projects are wrong, How competitive markets protect consumer from risk better than vertically-integrated models, What the Crane Clean Energy Center restart means for nuclear's future, How permitting, interconnection, and market reform can unlock private investment, What Maryland's CPCN process reveals about state energy policy choices, And why abandoning competition would raise costs and slow progress. Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA Guest: Mason Emnett, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Constellation Energy Liked this episode? Share it on X @EPSANews or LinkedIn at Electric Power Supply Association. Want more competitive power updates? Sign up for our monthly Power Moves newsletter.

Increasing power prices are a hot topic in the United States. Last week the Trump administration, eight Democratic governors and five Republican governors announced a plan to protect households in mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states from paying more for electricity because of electricity demand from data centers. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with Peter Fox-Penner, a leading expert on electricity markets, to discuss the causes of power price increases, the role of data centers, the recent bipartisan agreement in the PJM region, and more.   This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Increasing power prices are a hot topic in the United States. Last week the Trump administration, eight Democratic governors and five Republican governors announced a plan to protect households in mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states from paying more for electricity because of electricity demand from data centers. Join host David Sandalow as he talks with Peter Fox-Penner, a leading expert on electricity markets, to discuss the causes of power price increases, the role of data centers, the recent bipartisan agreement in the PJM region, and more.   This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the conversation with C4 & Brian Nehman. Governor Moore claims that there will be a 'trim in the general fund' when it comes to Maryland's budget, after attending a meeting at the White House with other state governors on PJM. Virginia's newest Governor proclaims that law enforcement in the state will not cooperate with ICE. Harford County and other county school boards are asking for more money to fund their schools. More is underway in Minnesota after protestors reportedly take over a church whose pastor may have been a part of ICE. Pres. Trump starting to impose tariffs on countries that do not support the US control of Greenland. Another juvenile car chase in Howard County leads to death of the young driver. Delegate Mike Griffith joins the show to discuss his newest legislations, "Kanaiyah's Law" and more reports of mistreatment of foster children under MD DHS. A smaller version of the Sphere in Law Vegas is making its way to Maryland. Listen to C4 & Bryan Nehman live weekdays from 5:30 to 10am on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio App!

SUMMARY DEL SHOW Los futuros suben este viernes con apoyo de buenos resultados bancarios y momentum en growth: $SPX +0.42%, $US100 +0.56% y $INDU +0.21%. La Casa Blanca busca acelerar plantas eléctricas para data centers de IA con contratos a 15 años en PJM; posibles ganadores: $VST, $CEG y $NRG. Noticias corporativas: $LCID apunta a producción completa en Arabia Saudita en 2026 y $BA reduce riesgo laboral con acuerdo provisional en Wichita.

Join the conversation with C4 & Bryan Nehman.  C4 & Bryan started the show this morning discussing the press conference held by the Ravens yesterday in the wake of John Harbaugh's departure as head coach.  Protests in Minnesota continue.  First day of session in Annapolis.  Could there be an issue with PJM's data centers.  Jennifer Grondahl, SVP of Communications for the Baltimore Orioles, joined the show to talk about 2026 promotional items, special ticket packages & more.   Listen to C4 & Bryan Nehman live weekdays from 5:30 to 10am on WBAL News Radio 1090, FM 101.5 & the WBAL Radio App!

As an aging grid faces rising demand, increasing complexity, and more frequent stress events, one thing has become clear: we don't just need more power, we need power that can show up at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price. What's far less settled is how we get there. Should large energy users build their own power? Should they treat the grid as something to work around rather than work with? Or is there a way for new load to actively strengthen the grid by contributing capacity when it's needed most?This moment is being shaped by real market signals. Just two weeks ago, PJM, the largest power market in the U.S., cleared its latest capacity auction at the market cap yet again, underscoring how tight supply has become and how quickly affordability pressures are building. As data center demand accelerates, those pressures are no longer abstract, they're showing up in prices, planning decisions, and who ultimately pays.These questions have been a throughline for us this year on Watt It Takes. We've talked with founders working across the grid, from storage and interconnection to transmission and large-scale development. Today's conversation brings many of those threads together.Dana Guernsey and her team at Voltus are tackling that challenge at the intersection of demand and supply, turning customer-side flexibility into dependable grid capacity. Voltus sits between energy users and grid operators, aggregating flexible demand from sources like demand response, EV charging, batteries, and onsite generation, and translating it into dispatchable capacity that markets value and pay for. Voltus's business model is a value-share: the company monetizes that flexibility in energy markets and shares the resulting value with the customers providing it.Voltus operates across all major North American power markets, even in an industry where each ISO and RTO plays by different rules. Today, the company manages more than eight gigawatts of flexible capacity and supports tens of thousands of customer sites, with resources dispatched thousands of times each year.On this last episode of the year, I spoke with Dana Guernsey, Co-Founder and CEO of Voltus. We talked about her journey, from growing up in Queens, New York and coming of age around 9/11, to discovering energy markets during her time at EnerNOC, to founding Voltus while starting a family. That path shaped how Dana thinks about complexity, customers, and reliability, and ultimately led her to build Voltus into a platform designed to help make clean, affordable, and reliable power something we don't have to trade off against growth.About Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse VenturesPowerhouse Ventures backs seed stage startups developing innovative software to advance clean energy, mobility, and industry. If you are thinking about building something in this space, get in touch with our team.Powerhouse Innovation is a best in class consulting firm, powered by the strongest energy innovation network, data and team in our industry. We partner with world's leading corporations, investors, and utilities to source and evaluate disruptive startups shaping the future of energy and industry.To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.

Maryland House of Delegates elects a new speaker and overrides 19 governor vetoes. PJM, the regional electric grid operator which includes MD, VA, and DC, holds a capacity auction that predicts sharp increases in rates but is held in check by a price cap. Frederick County Council considers whether to approve an expanded area for data center building near Adamstown. Damascus and Wootton High School communities contest who will get a new building first. Montgomery County Public Schools announced its new operating budget, but we are still stuck And more. Music by Kara Levchenko.

We are thrilled to share this Special Edition COBT as our final episode of 2025. Like many of you, we have been closely watching the escalating situation in Venezuela, and we had the honor of hosting former Attorney General Bill Barr to hear his unique perspectives. Bill served twice as Attorney General, first under President George H. W. Bush from 1991 to 1993 and again under President Donald Trump from 2019 to 2020. He is the author of “One Damn Thing After Another” and has held senior roles at Kirkland & Ellis and Verizon. He earned his law degree from George Washington University and studied Government and Chinese Studies at Columbia. Bill is currently a Partner at Torridon Group. It was our pleasure to visit with Bill and hear his insights on the latest developments in Venezuela. In our conversation, we explore the current Venezuela crisis and U.S. military buildup, why Bill welcomes the Trump Administration's response, and why he sees Venezuela as both a national security threat and humanitarian crisis. Bill outlines narco-terrorism versus traditional organized crime, how cartels use drugs as a weapon against the U.S., and why he views Venezuela as a strategic adversary with deep ties to Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, and Hezbollah. He explains why domestic-style law enforcement doesn't work inside hostile foreign territory and walks through the long-standing U.S. doctrine of acting when foreign states are “unable or unwilling” to deal with threats to the U.S. in their territory. We discuss lessons from U.S. action in Panama, stopping short in Iraq after Gulf War I, what “if you break it, you own it” means for Venezuela, why Venezuela is the focus now, versus Mexico and others, the role of Russia and China in Venezuela, and how renewed enforcement pressure on sanctioned tankers and oil flows can further squeeze the regime. We cover the effectiveness and limits of sanctions and the emerging quasi-blockade, how the President should think about escalation from a legal and constitutional perspective, Maduro's options and potential off-ramps, the case for swift, decisive action, how failed regimes drive refugee crises that put pressure on U.S. borders, the potential collateral benefits for Venezuela and the broader region if things go well, and much more. As always, we appreciate hearing Bill's perspectives. It was a fascinating conversation. Mike Bradley kicked us off by noting that Thursday's November CPI report printed much lower than expected, which lifted bonds and equities. On the electricity market front, he highlighted that the PJM Capacity Auction for 2027-2028 resulted in a record price ($333 per megawatt day). The more concerning takeaway, however, was that PJM did not obtain enough capacity to meet future reliability requirements. In energy news, Mike noted that Meg O'Neill, current CEO of Woodside Energy, has accepted the CEO role at BP PLC. On the oil market front, he observed that WTI price appears to have temporarily stabilized in the $56-$57/bbl range. Oil markets continue to be overly concerned with a “perceived” oil supply price glut in 2026, and at the current WTI strip price (mid-$50s/bbl), 2026 E&P budgets will be negatively impacted when they report in the coming months. He wrapped by walking through Venezuela's past/present oil production (under both the Chávez and Maduro administrations) and the severe economic damage that's been inflicted under the Maduro presidency. Arjun Murti built on Mike's comments and reflected on Venezuela's oil industry in the 1990s, when international oil companies partnered with PDVSA to develop the country's vast heavy-oil resources under favorable fiscal terms and strong technical collaboration. He contrasted that period with the deterioration that followed under Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, as contract terms were tightened and assets were eventually nationalized, contributing to the collapse of Venezuela's oil sector and the country's

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming back our good friend Les Csorba, Partner in Charge of the Houston office and a member of the CEO and Board of Directors Practice at Heidrick & Struggles. Les has over 30 years of experience in executive search, leadership consulting, and executive coaching, and he has long been a thoughtful, balanced voice within the energy community. Earlier this fall, he published “Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly” (linked here). It's a fascinating exploration of how confronting blind spots, deepening both internal and external self-awareness, and cultivating environments where candid feedback is encouraged can transform leaders and organizations. As always, we appreciate hearing Les's perspective and were thrilled to visit with him. In our conversation, we cover why 2026 will test leaders, with fast-changing macro and geopolitical dynamics putting pressure on executives to lead with clarity, agility, and foresight. We explore how to create cultures where people speak candidly, including giving trusted team members permission to call out blind spots, as well as the difference between chain of command and chain of communication, and the importance of leaders being visible, accessible, and in direct contact with all levels of the organization. Les shares what led him to write “Aware” and the research Heidrick conducted showing that across 75,000 assessments, only ~13% of people demonstrated true self-awareness, inspiring Les to conclude that meaningfully raising that percentage could dramatically enhance organizational performance. We discuss internal versus external awareness, how leaders must treat macro/geopolitical chaos as primary inputs rather than background noise, how AI can boost efficiency but may dull self-awareness, and how to build feedback cultures and measure awareness. Les reflects on the early reception to the book and why self-awareness matters not just for leaders but for teams, boards, and personal relationships, why self-awareness is at historic lows, the importance of hiring and building around weaknesses, and how leaders can optimize and fully leverage their strengths. Les emphasizes the need to get outside of your information bubble, seek diverse perspectives, and cultivate the blend of confidence and humility that characterizes the most effective leaders. We close by discussing what's next for Les, the four forces for energy leaders in 2026 (agility, internal activism, strategic awareness, and foresight vs. forecast), and the most common board weakness, lacking someone who can push back thoughtfully and respectfully. Mike Bradley kicked us off by noting the 10-year bond yield was holding steady (~4.15%) following last week's FOMC meeting. He flagged the dissenting votes for an interest rate cut and suggested the split could foreshadow dynamics under the next Fed Chairman. On the broader equity market front, he observed that markets appear to be losing trading momentum and that 2026 could be a “year of reckoning” for 2025's market leaders (AI/Tech) as investors begin scrutinizing data center spending and associated returns more closely. In the oil market, he highlighted that WTI fell to a four-year low (~$55-bbl) on continued 2026 global oil surplus concerns rather than any specific event. He also noted that at the current 12-month strip ($55/bbl), 2026 upstream budgets, which will be announced in the next 1-2 months, will likely be negatively affected. On the natural gas front, he pointed out that over the past seven trading days, prompt U.S. natural gas price has plunged ~$1.50/MMBtu (to $3.85/MMBtu) due to a warmer short-term winter outlook. On the electricity front, he noted that 2027+ PJM capacity market auction results will be released Wednesday afternoon. Most investors are expecting prices to again hit the ceiling (~$335/mw), which might serve a

After years of stalled transmission buildout, there are new signs of progress. Earlier this month, SPP approved $8.6 billion in transmission projects across 14 states. Major plans are emerging in MISO, PJM, and ERCOT. Despite the DOE canceling its loan guarantee, the Grain Belt Express is still moving forward. And regardless of court battles, so is the New England Clean Energy Connect.  Are these signs that the U.S. could start building transmission at scale again? In this episode, Shayle talks to Rob Gramlich, founder and president of Grid Strategies. He and Shayle cover topics like: Why Rob says the DOE's efforts to fast-track large-load interconnection is a positive sign for transmission buildout The recent buildout of 880 miles of transmission and why it may look better than it is Why transmission hasn't benefited from data center investment  Specific projects, including SPP's transmission backbone and the Grain Belt Express Rob's outlook on buildout over the coming year The uncertain future of permitting reform despite bipartisan support Resources: Catalyst: Unpacking DOE's proposal to transform data center interconnection    Latitude Media: How the Grain Belt Express lost its LPO loan   E&E News: Data center growth cited in defense of MISO transmission plan  Fill out our short podcast listener survey for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is our executive editor.  Catalyst is brought to you by EnergyHub. EnergyHub helps utilities build next-generation virtual power plants that unlock reliable flexibility at every level of the grid. See how EnergyHub helps unlock the power of flexibility at scale, and deliver more value through cross-DER dispatch with their leading Edge DERMS platform, by visiting energyhub.com.Catalyst is brought to you by Bloom Energy. AI data centers can't wait years for grid power—and with Bloom Energy's fuel cells, they don't have to. Bloom Energy delivers affordable, always-on, ultra-reliable onsite power, built for chipmakers, hyperscalers, and data center leaders looking to power their operations at AI speed. Learn more by visiting BloomEnergy.com.

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Pennsylvania folded, they decided to abandon the regional carbon trading market. Energy was getting very expensive. Trump will begin drilling in Alaska, something the [DS]/[CB] have been trying to stop. Coffee, Beef and Bananas will be coming down in price. The housing market is about to change. The [D]'s are pushing the Epstein hard and there are some Republicans that are joining in. Trump has warned them, he can see the board very clearly now. The release of the Epstein files is not just about getting Trump it looks like the [D]'s are trying to clear themselves. This will fail. Trump knew that Epstein was part of Obama's resistance. Trump trapped the [D]'s and he is in control of the Epstein narrative.   Economy First Casualty Of Power Bill Crisis? Pennsylvania Abandons Regional Carbon-Trading Market The worsening power bill crisis across the Mid-Atlantic region, a combination of nation-killing climate change policies colliding with surging load growth from data centers, has forced Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to sign legislation allowing the state to abandon the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). The Pennsylvania legislature ended the state's RGGI participation in the new state budget, which also cut funding tied to the climate initiative, effectively reversing the state's 2019 entry under former Governor Tom Wolf. It's straightforward: climate taxes = higher power bills.  Independent reports (from grid operator PJM and state regulators) have warned RGGI would: pressure to close gas and coal plants early loss of grid resilience higher risk of capacity shortages Given surging load growth from data centers, RGGI was a disaster waiting to happen that would've stripped the grid of spare capacity, destabilized regional power supply, and effectively paralyzed the state into a power crisis, as its neighbors just south, in Maryland, have done through failed globalist climate crisis policies. Source: zerohedge.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Trump Administration OKs Oil, Gas Drilling in Alaska Wildlife Refuge The Trump administration on Thursday finalized plans to open the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to potential oil and gas drilling, renewing a long-simmering debate over whether to drill in one of the nation's environmental jewels. U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the decision Thursday that paves the way for future lease sales within the refuge's 1.5 million-acre ( 631,309 hectare) coastal plain, an area that's considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in. The plan fulfills pledges made by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans to reopen this portion of the refuge to possible development. Trump's bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, passed during the summer, called for at least four lease sales within the refuge over a 10-year period. A federal judge in March said the Biden administration lacked authority to cancel the leases, which were held by a state corporation that was the major bidder in the first-ever lease sale for the refuge held at the end of Trump's first term.   Source: newsmax.com https://twitter.

In a packed week for bitcoin mining news, MARA has dismissed its CTO, BlackRock cooks up a $40 billion data center firm acquisition, and Bitdeer unveils its $2 billion AI ambitions. Click Here To Join the BitAxe Giveaway! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! This week, Luxor CEO Nick Hansen joins us to talk multi-month hashprice lows (how low do we go?), MARA firing its CTO, Ionic Digital's Microsoft-linked AI deal, Bitdeer's gangbusters September and $2B AI plans, and BlackRock taking the lead on a $40B data center company acquisition. Plus, the US government seizes $14.1B (potentially $16.5B total) in bitcoin from an international scam operation. **Notes:** • Hash price dropped below $50/PH/day at $47 • Difficulty adjustment down 2.5% after months of increases • Bitcoin price fell from $125K to $108K post-tariff news • Marathon quietly cans CTO  • Bitdeer mined 452 BTC in Sept, up 20.5% month-over-month • Bitdeer projects $2B annual revenue from AI starting in 2026 • BlackRock leads $40B Aligned Data Centers acquisition • US seized $14.1B+ Bitcoin from crime syndicate • PJM needs 43GW battery storage by 2045 • Ionic Digital secured 240MW Microsoft lease, expandable to 1.2GW Timestamps: 00:00:00:00 Start 00:01:51:00 Difficulty Report by Luxor 00:11:28:10 MARA CTO fired 00:15:40:17 Ionic Digital gets into the AI action 00:18:16:13 PJM needs 43 GW of battery by 2045 00:23:22:16 Bitdeer's big September 00:27:56:23 BlackRock & Nvidia deal 00:35:03:28 Cry Corner: Uncle Sam gets that bag

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this Friday Headline Brief of The Wright Report, we cover the third day of the government shutdown, new polling on political violence, a Minnesota immigration bust, shocking revelations in the Epstein case, crackdowns on unsafe foreign truck drivers, the rising cost of AI power demands, European drone threats, the UK's immigration and crime crisis, a free speech case in Switzerland, a new defense pact in the Pacific, and the science of living to 117. Quick hits to set your radar for the weekend.   Day Three of the Shutdown: Trump celebrated, “I can't believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity.” He is targeting Democrat-leaning agencies and clawing back billions from NYC's subway system and Biden's green energy projects to fund AI and mineral wars.   Poll on Political Violence: NPR and PBS found 30 percent of Americans say violence may be necessary to “steer the country in the right direction,” up from 19 percent last year. Bryan warns that equals 60 million people.   Immigration Fraud Bust in Minnesota: Operation Twin Shield uncovered 275 likely cases of sham marriages, fake jobs, and forged documents. Nationwide “neighborhood checks” are set to follow.   Epstein Blackmail Claims: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a former neighbor, said Epstein's massage room “was on video” and called him “the greatest blackmailer ever.” His account echoes Cindy McCain's 2020 remark that “we all knew” what Epstein was doing.   Foreign Truck Driver Crackdown: DOT Secretary Sean Duffy imposed strict new visa, immigration, and English requirements after finding 25 percent of California CDLs are bogus. Trucking groups applauded the move.   AI Sends Power Bills Higher: Bloomberg reports AI data centers pushed utility costs up $16.1 billion in the PJM grid, raising household bills. But Johns Hopkins found AI can predict surgical complications better than doctors, offering life-saving potential.   Russia's Shadow Fleet and Drone Threats: France detained a Russian oil tanker tied to drones buzzing Denmark. Bryan warns adversaries could launch drones or missiles from disguised ships off U.S. shores.   UK's Crisis of Immigration and Crime: A Syrian named Jihad al-Shamie attacked a synagogue, while a British blogger was arrested for posting “F- Hamas.” Seven Pakistani men were sentenced for grooming gangs, and the NHS briefly praised first-cousin marriage before pulling the report.   Swiss Man Jailed for Free Speech: He refused to pay fines for calling gender ideology a “mental illness” and chose 10 days in jail. Bryan notes Trump and Vance are right to warn Europe is committing “national suicide.”   Pacific Defense Pact: Papua New Guinea signed a deal with Australia, reversing a drift toward Beijing and securing vital waters for U.S. and allied navies.   Life at 117: Spanish researchers studied a woman who lived to 117, crediting strong gut bacteria, olive oil, daily walks, and plain yogurt. Bryan quipped, “Unless you live in Portland, where Antifa will get you first.”   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Trump government shutdown day three, Trump cuts Democrat agencies, NYC subway green energy clawback, NPR PBS poll political violence, Minnesota Operation Twin Shield sham marriages, Epstein blackmail Howard Lutnick massage room, Cindy McCain Epstein hiding in plain sight, Sean Duffy DOT truck driver crackdown, AI data center power bills Bloomberg, Johns Hopkins AI surgical risk, France detains Russian tanker drones Denmark, UK Jihad al-Shamie synagogue attack, UK blogger arrested Hamas post, UK grooming gangs Pakistani men, NHS cousin marriage report, Switzerland man jailed free speech skeletons, Papua New Guinea Australia defense pact, Spain woman age 117 gut bacteria

Recorded in front of a packed room at NYU's Kimmel Center during Climate Week NYC, Ed Crooks and Amy Myers Jaffe moderate a debate on the high-stakes topic of AI and energy. They dig deep into the questions raised by the surge of investment in data centers: what it means for grid stability and electricity bills, and how new technologies and market structures can help the power industry adapt.Climate Week this year often felt more like AI Week, given how many discussions were centred around it. To explore the issues, the team Ed and Amy are joined by representatives of two of the key companies at the heart of the revolution. Josh Parker is Head of Sustainability at NVIDIA, and Craig Sundstrom is Head of Energy & Sustainability Policy at AWS. Xizhou Zhou, Wood Mackenzie's Head of Power and Renewables, also joins the discussion, to add his perspectives on how the industry is changing The load shock is real. Xizhou says that more than 116 GW of US data centers are under construction or fully committed to interconnect in the next few years: equivalent to about 15% of US peak load today. After two decades of flat demand, the electricity industry must rebuild its muscle memory for rapid infrastructure build-out. US power prices went up 6% in the past year, with rates in some states going up far more. What is driving that surge? And what can be done to provide some relief for hard-pressed consumers? One answer comes from rapid progress in the technologies that make AI possible, including the chips. NVIDIA's Josh Parker notes NVIDIA has cut energy use for inference tasks by 100,000× over the past decade ,and by about 30× in just the past two years. Craig from Amazon explains how new grid-enhancing technologies could quickly make a difference, pointing to an AWS/RMI study showing that 6.5 GW of extra capacity could be freed up on the PJM grid without building any new transmission lines. He adds that AI is already helping in California, where smart battery dispatch is cutting costs in real time. Data centers don't only use electricity for computation: they create a lot of heat, too. Josh says there are ways to use that heat, and describes Scandinavian projects that use it for their local district heating networks. With geothermal and new small modular reactors unlikely to reach widespread deployment until well into the 2030s, the panel agrees that the real solutions in the next few years lie in upgrading transmission, expanding storage, redesigning rates, and building in flexibility.It's a busy and lively discussion, with a couple of questions from the audience answered by the panel. If you have any further questions or comments on the show, we'd love to hear them. You can comment on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or find us on YouTube and leave a comment there. Thanks!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.