Podcasts about utilities

Powering AI 2.0 is no longer just a technology story — it's an energy and infrastructure story reshaping capital markets and the global economy. As artificial intelligence scales from training to real-world inference, electricity demand is accelerating at a pace few anticipated.In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido is joined by Will Su from BlackRock's Fundamental Equities Group to examine how Powering AI 2.0 is transforming utilities, natural gas markets, renewables, and nuclear power. With data centers expanding rapidly and gigawatt-scale facilities coming online, the AI build-out is driving a structural shift in U.S. electricity demand after more than a decade of stagnation.Will explains why the energy sector sits at the center of AI investing. From the rise of “bring your own power” models to the growing role of natural gas as a dispatchable, scalable fuel source, the infrastructure required to support AI represents one of the largest capital investment cycles in modern history. The conversation also explores renewables, battery storage, and nuclear power — including the limits of restarts and the long timeline for new reactor construction.Key moments:00:00 Introduction Power Is Knowledge: AI's Exponential Energy Appetite02:31 From Tokens to ‘Yottaflops': Why Smarter Models Need More Electricity05:04 Training LLMs vs. Inference: The Next Wave of AI Power Demand06:45 Data Centers at City Scale: How Big Is the Load?11:15 Bring Your Own Power (BYOP): Why Natural Gas Is Back in Focus16:04 Renewables Reality Check: Solar Momentum, Wind Headwinds, and Batteries19:14 Nuclear's Comeback - Restarts Now, New Builds Later21:26 Can AI Beat Humans at Investing? Man + Machine as the Edge23:33 Wrap-Up, What's NextKey insights from this episode:· Why natural gas has emerged as a key “here and now” fuel for AI infrastructure· How renewables and battery storage fit into the AI electricity mix· The long-term outlook for nuclear power and reactor construction· What “bring your own power” means for hyperscalers and utilities· How electrification and reshoring intersect with AI investing· Why the relationship between compute and energy is reshaping stock market trendsPowering AI 2.0, AI investing, infrastructure, capital markets, energy transition, utilities, stock market trends, megaforcesSources: “From CES 2026 to Yottaflops: Why the AMD Keynote Highlights a Turning Point for AI Compute”, AMD 2026; “The Industrial Revolution, coal mining, and the Felling Colliery Disaster”, Lancaster University, 2026; Bureau of Economic Analysis data 2026; “Stargate's First Data Center Site is Size of Central Park, With At Least 57 Jobs”, Bloomberg 2026; “Energy Demand from AI”, IEA 2026; “Scaling bigger, faster, cheaper data centers with smarter designs”, McKinsey 2025; EEI 2024 Review; “Data Centers Ditching the Power Grid, Mark Carney's Viral Speech, and Some Joy”, Clearview Energy; “2024 North American Energy Inventory”, IER;This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The run is hot economy is here! Today we talk markets, and debunk alarmist headlines about rising Japanese bond yields. We also talk about a significant market rotation: expensive mega-cap tech stocks are faltering while capital flows into "boring" sectors like staples, industrials, energy, healthcare, and utilities, with international markets also outperforming. Watch out about chasing falling tech names or trying to pick bottoms in areas like crypto. Diversification is always the way to go so understand sentiment cycles and focus on where money is flowing rather than where it has already been. Successful investing is about discipline, context, and avoiding emotional decisions. We discuss... Japan's 10-year government bond yield rising from near 0% to over 2%, which has sparked global concern. Because most Japanese government debt is owned domestically—by the central bank and pensions—the systemic risk narrative may be exaggerated. Market headlines often amplify short-term moves without proper historical framing. A large percentage of U.S. stocks are trading at very high price-to-sales ratios, exceeding even dot-com-era levels in some measures. Companies like Apple have high valuations despite limited recent earnings growth, raising questions about sustainability. Rotations are normal cycles in markets, where leadership shifts rather than the entire market collapsing. Utilities and staples—traditionally "boring" sectors—have recently outperformed while software and high-beta tech stocks have sold off sharply. International markets, particularly emerging markets and Europe, have outperformed the U.S. year-to-date. Heavy AI-related capital expenditures announced by large tech firms may have contributed to investor concerns. We compare crypto cycles to past tech bubbles, noting that true bottoms often occur when sentiment disappears and investors stop paying attention. Focus on where capital is flowing now rather than chasing sectors based on past performance. Diversification, patience, and understanding market cycles are essential for long-term investing success. Today's Panelists: Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moneytreepodcast Follow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/money-tree-investing-podcast Follow on Twitter/X: https://x.com/MTIPodcast For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/run-it-hot-economy-is-here-791 

home profit Make Your Home Work Harder (Profit + Remodel Strategy) | Episode 589 Hey, it's James from SurvivalPunk.com. It's 39 degrees, and today we're talking about making your home work harder. This one's twofold. Part one: remodeling strategically in a broken housing market.Part two: turning your house from a pure expense into something that actually produces. The housing market sucks right now. That's just reality. But that doesn't mean you're powerless. The Housing Market Is Skewed — Use That Starter homes are struggling. Lower-tier houses are sitting. But higher-end houses? Selling like crazy. Million-dollar homes are moving because people with that kind of money don't care about rates the same way. That skews the data. People see $400k homes selling and assume everything is hot — but that doesn't help someone trying to get into their first house. If you're buying right now, one strategy is simple: buy under your ceiling. Know your range. Don't stretch yourself to death. Look at homes that need a little TLC. Cosmetic stuff. Cabinets. Paint. Fixtures. Appliances. Flooring. Those are solvable. Over time, you remodel intelligently and build equity yourself. If you're already in a house, the same concept applies. Pick one room at a time. Kitchen. Bathroom. Flooring. Do it in phases. At the end? You either: Have a fully remodeled home you love Or you sell at a higher value and move up But your strategy matters. If your goal is resale, you remodel based on trends — not your personal taste. Sage green cabinets? Trendy. I hate them. Doesn't matter. If the goal is ROI, you follow market taste. Black kitchens? Also trendy. Not my thing. If it's your forever home? Then build for you. Two totally different goals. Yard = Wasted Opportunity Most people see yard work as a chore. Leaves? Trash.Rainwater runoff? Waste.Space? Decorative. Wrong mindset. Leaves are free compost input. Not just your leaves — your neighbors' leaves too. Compost them down and: Stop buying compost Sell compost Sell compost tea Turn a waste stream into revenue You're literally converting trash into product. That's how you make a home work harder. Gardening Isn't Just Food — It's Leverage Growing your own vegetables reduces grocery bills. But microgreens? That's a business. The profit margins on microgreens are insane if you run it correctly. Small greenhouse. Controlled setup. Scalable. You need to run the numbers. But the ceiling is there. Even if you don't sell: Growing salads = not buying salads Growing vegetables = not buying vegetables Saving seeds = compounding future production If you're watering plants with rainwater you collected off your own roof, from seeds you saved from food you grew? You're basically printing your own money at that point. Water Runoff Is Money Going Down the Drain Rain barrels and cisterns are underrated. Every time it rains, your roof is producing water. Most people just let it run off. Collect it. Use it for: Gardening Lawn irrigation Emergency supply Water bills are going up. Ours doubled recently. It's still affordable, but it won't always be. Reducing dependency now is smart. Indoor Production: Mushrooms and Niche Products Growing mushrooms indoors is exploding. Lion's Mane. Reishi. Specialty varieties. The science on mushroom benefits is still unfolding, but the demand is real — and they're expensive to buy retail. If you're already spending money on them, growing them yourself cuts cost massively. Get good at it? Sell excess. There are tons of small indoor side hustles you can start from your home. Some are simple. Some are more technical. The common thread: Reduce retail markup. If you can make something yourself that normally carries huge markup — that's leverage. There's nothing wrong with profit. But there is a line between fair markup and straight-up exploitation. If you can eliminate the middle layer, your cost drops dramatically. That's power. Remodel vs Production — Pick Your Angle Your home can: Build equity through smart remodeling Reduce expenses through production Generate income through niche products Or do all three Most people treat their house as: Mortgage.Utilities.Expense. That's it. But if you treat it like a tool — like an asset that works — it changes the math. Final Thoughts The housing market might be rough. Interest rates might suck. Starter homes might be overpriced. But you still control: What you buy How you improve it What you produce from it What you stop paying retail for Make your home work harder. This is James from SurvivalPunk.com.DIY to survive. Amazon Item OF The Day VEVOR Collapsible Rain Barrel, 100 Gallon/380 L Portable Water Tank, PVC Rainwater Collection Barrel with Spigots and Overflow Kit, Water Barrel for Garden Water Catcher Think this post was worth 20 cents? Consider joining The Survivalpunk Army and get access to exclusive content and discounts! Don't forget to join in on the road to 1k! Help James Survivalpunk Beat Couch Potato Mike to 1k subscribers on Youtube Want To help make sure there is a podcast Each and every week? Join us on Patreon Subscribe to the Survival Punk Survival Podcast. The most electrifying podcast on survival entertainment. Itunes Pandora RSS Spotify Like this post? Consider signing up for my email list here > Subscribe Join Our Exciting Facebook Group and get involved Survival Punk Punk's The post Make Your Home Work Harder | Episode 589 appeared first on Survivalpunk.

How Utilities Are Changing While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems   "The really great thing about electric utilities is that they maintain a singular focus almost regardless of what's going on around them. It's safety, reliability, resilience. So they'll adapt and flex…They're not going to take a risk that sacrifices safety, that sacrifices your light coming on….The difference now that I've noticed is their willingness to move forward with technology and change decades, long processes and workflows and legacy built systems……. because they see how they can still maintain and maintain more efficiently, safety, reliability, resiliency." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast   Utilities are being transformed even as they keep the lights on. They have to become more resilient to the effects of climate changes and be responsive to new energy sources and technologies and even invent new business models while also regulated – all without dropping a moment of power.  How? Listen to Nicole Pearson, Director of Marketing for Energy and Brad Johnson, Industry head of Energy Systems at Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems "Year in Infrastructure" 2025 conference. You'll hear about: ●        How utilities have evolved and are evolving without risking service, safety, reliability and under the regulatory microscope. ●        How Bentley Systems' software is reducing risk and increasing resilience of utilities. ●        How utilities are leveraging A.I. while monitoring for cyberattacks and hallucinations to keep systems, workers and consumers safe. ●        Utilities have to plan decades ahead, even 30+ years ahead, yet technologies evolve so fast. How can they plan that far ahead? ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "The first one is own it. Own it. What is it? Your career. And when I say own it, I'm constantly, even today having meetings with people that I don't know, requesting mentorship, reaching out through LinkedIn, going to events. I try to stay very connected and not just people in my close industry or even work type …Every single person you meet is a connection and could have an impact on your life and vice versa….When you meet somebody, keep the conversation going. …So one day if they need something or you need something, you have a connection….My second piece of advice is… you should always have a list of things that you want to accomplish, that you want to put on your résumé. And regardless of what's going on around you in your job, focus on those things." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast     Read Joan's Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems ·       Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva ·       Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster ·       How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 ·       88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

Markets held the 100-DMA on Friday, but that support is in focus again today. The bigger issue is a negative divergence: price has risen while momentum and relative strength have faded. If the 100-DMA breaks, the next key level is the 200-DMA near 6,650—so stay disciplined on allocations, concentration, and risk. Breadth is improving: the gap between market-cap and equal-weight has narrowed, and equal-weight has led over the past six months. Energy, Utilities, Industrials, and Materials have been driving gains, but several are getting extended—take profits and rebalance where needed. Also watch Technology: it's oversold, and even a modest rebound could quickly shift leadership back toward mega-cap performance. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Qkkl5m8hY7w --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarketUpdate #SP500 #TechnicalAnalysis #RiskManagement #MarketRotation

Clean Energy equities have comfortably outperformed the major indices in 2025.  Laurent and Gerard are joined by friend of the show Shanu Mathew, an equity portfolio manager everyone in the sector knows to unpack what's really driving this performance.  We begin by putting recent returns into a longer-term context — and by flagging an important caveat: some of the strongest results are coming from highly concentrated portfolios.  Shanu makes a critical distinction that often gets blurred in market commentary: equipment providers versus sellers of electrons. On one side sit companies like GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar — and the surprise guest, Bloom Energy. On the other are utilities and IPPs. The divergence is striking. Equipment manufacturers have gone ballistic; utilities have performed, but at a far more pedestrian pace.  The difference, unsurprisingly, is pricing power. Equipment suppliers — particularly those insulated from Chinese competition — have been able to push through aggressive price increases, turbocharged by surging demand from Hyperscalers. Utilities, by contrast, remain constrained by regulation, public scrutiny, and political pressure.  The result? Hyperscalers are increasingly looking to self-generation: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and a growing enthusiasm for frontier technologies such as Enhanced Geothermal and Small Modular Reactors.  We walk through these alternatives, examine how public markets are valuing them today, and end where every cycle eventually leads us: Are we in a bubble? Or, as Chuck Prince, then CEO of Citigroup, famously put it on the eve of the 2008 financial crisis:“As long as the music is playing, you've got to get up and dance.”

In the latest episode of Public Power Now, Wes Kelley, President and CEO of Huntsville Utilities, the public power utility for Huntsville, Alabama, details the benefits of public power utilities participating in APPA's 2026 Lineworkers Rodeo, which Huntsville Utilities is hosting. The rodeo will take place on March 27 - 28, 2026.

The ASX 200 lived up to its new Friday ‘free fall' and dropped 126 points to 8925 (1.4%). Friday the 13th. Banks gave back some ground today as WBC delivered numbers in line. The Big Bank Basket drooped to $303.62(-1.0%). ANZ continued 1.3% higher on broker upgrades. Financials were sold down again, HUB off 4.1% and MQG falling 0.9% with GQG bucking the trend on better-than-expected results. ZIP fell hard as a tech stock should, down 8.5%. Insurers eased back. IAG the exception after results, up 1.0%. REITs were slightly firmer, GMG rallied 2.4% and SCG up 1.6%. Healthcare back in A&E with RMD down another % and CSL slipping 1.4%. COH fell 18.9% on results hitting deaf ears, as it downgraded guidance. Industrials were a sea of red, SGH off 2.7%, QAN down 1.2% and ALL down 5.0%. Utilities found friends on defensive buying. Technology stocks once again sold back into the bronze age, WTC down 10.4% and XRO falling 4.5%. The All-Tech Index losing another 4.7%.Resources were also a sea of red, gold miners slid with NST off 3.5% and EVN giving 3.7% back. BHP down 1.8% on lower copper pricing, RIO holding firm and lithium stocks depressed. Energy stocks needing a boost, WDS down 2.1% and uranium seeing some fallout.In corporate news, the bid for WJL came undone, the stock dropping 25.2%. NCK punished on LFL sales miss, down 22.2% %, ASB sunk 22.8% after some double counting revealed after the close last night.In economic news, CBA says the neutral cash rate is now 3.6%. Pretty much the same as inflation, so that is easy to work out then. Australian households were in spending mode over summer. The latest CommBank Household Spending Insights Index shows spending rose 0.5%in January, marking 16 consecutive months of growth.Standard Chartered warned of further bitcoin weakness and the largest US crypto exchange swung to a loss in the fourth quarter.US futures Dow down 20 and Nasdaq down 10.—Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.If you'd like to go further:Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Todayhttp://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcastJoin Marcus TodayUse code MTPODCAST for 10% offhttp://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – Managed ETF PortfolioA professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing.http://bit.ly/mt20-podcastPrinciples – How We Think About InvestingA short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips.http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast—DisclaimerThis podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

In this episode of People in Power, Abigail Sawyer talks with Peter Ferrell, senior director of government relations for the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, about supply chain challenges and how they are affecting the buildout and modernization of the U.S. electric grid. From tariffs, trade and immigration policy to workforce shortages and natural disasters, supply chain concerns are contributing to numerous other challenges facing electric utilities as they work to improve and expand the complicated system that delivers power to a growing number of end users.

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. v. FERC

Utilities and their regulators are often protected by a "force field of tedium," but in this episode, I pierce the veil to discuss the complex machinery of utility profit-making. I'm joined by Joe Daniel of RMI to unpack the critical distinction between "return on equity" and "cost of equity," and why the former is almost always higher than necessary. We discuss how regulators can close this gap to lower consumer costs without hindering essential grid upgrades. 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

A Wisconsin utility is seeking custom electric rates for a data center project. The application hides key details from the public. A Republican leader says a deal on property taxes […]

The ASX 200 soared today as CBA delivered in spades, the index rising 147 points to 9015 (+1.7%). How things have changed around since ‘shambolic' Friday last week. Up over 300 points since then! CBA beat forecasts and drove the banking sector higher. Not often that you see a 6.8% rise in CBA. NAB up 3.4% and the Big Bank Basket up to $292.52 (+5%). Insurers bounced back a little, SUN up 0.6% and MQG jumped 2.7% on broker comments. REITs under a little pressure with GMG down 1.0% and SCG off 0.5%. Healthcare in ICU today as CSL managed to top its shambolic CEO news with a bad set of numbers and dropped 4.6%. Some bargain hunters saving it from a worse fate. RMD dropped 4.7% as it went Ex-Dividend. Industrials were better, retail rose, JBH up 1.3% and WES up 1.0% with SGH also up 3.6% on better than expected numbers. Utilities better and ABB soared 14.8% on its deal with AGL. JHX also beat expectations and rose 10.9%.In resource land, BHP up 1.6% and FMG doing well, up 2.3%. Gold miners started slow but ended up, EVN produced a good set of numbers and strong cash generation. Up 8.9%. NEM rose 2.4% and SBM up 10.5%.  Lithium stocks improved slightly and uranium stocks off the bottom. Rare earths bounced, three-year highs in the underlying starting to feed into the sentiment. In corporate news, results featured strongly, ASX CEO has quit, DMP has a new pizzaiolo. GQG slipped again on fresh FUM.On the economic front, all eyes on US NFP, here we saw first home buyers loans jump the most since 2023!US futures Dow up 141 and Nasdaq up 111.—Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.If you'd like to go further:Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcastPrinciples – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast—Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

2026 is a Midterm Election year. We will look at the historical "Year 2" presidential cycle and examine why volatility often spikes in Q2 before a massive rally in Q4. Today's Stocks & Topics: UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH), Market Wrap, Bitcoin, Roth I-R-A Contributions, Revolve Group, Inc. (RVLV), InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC), The "Grid" Bottleneck: AI vs. Utilities, Vanguard Energy Fund (VGENX), Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF Shares (VDE), State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE), Semiconductor Space, "Pick and Shovel" Strategy, abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI), Amcor plc (AMCR).Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/INVESTAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After more than a decade of flat demand, the US power sector is now facing explosive growth, arriving faster than grids, generation, and transmission can be built. In this episode, Interim host of Interchange Recharged Bridget van Dorsten is joined by Chris Seiple, Vice Chairman of Power & Renewables at Wood Mackenzie, to unpack one of the defining challenges facing the modern energy system: how utilities, developers, and policymakers are responding to an unprecedented surge in electricity demand driven by data centres, AI, and reshoring manufacturing. Bridget and Chris explore what makes this moment different, why planning cycles are colliding with short technology investment horizons, and how this mismatch is forcing a fundamental rethink of how the power business works, from energy policy to energy finance. The main point is that the difference between regulated and deregulated markets is widening, as vertically integrated utilities strengthen their advantage in managing large loads.New mechanisms like large-load tariffs are reshaping rate design, investment risk, and affordability - Chris explains how. Plus, deregulated markets may be approaching a tipping point, as traditional price signals struggle to accommodate demand arriving at this scale and speed. What does it all mean for energy?Crucially, the episode looks beyond the immediate crunch to the longer-term implications for the energy transition. From renewable energy and solar energy pipelines to grid resilience, transmission innovation, and behind-the-meter solutions, this demand boom could become a powerful catalyst for clean tech, clean technology, and energy innovation, even as subsidy regimes change and capital costs rise.The discussion also touches on the role of hydrogen, nuclear, and emerging grid technologies in supporting future energy projects, and why this period of rapid load growth may ultimately accelerate decarbonisation rather than slow it. If you're tracking climate policy, climate change, green finance, and long-term energy predictions, this episode is for you; hear why today's data centre boom could shape the next several decades of the power system.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Power grids are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive simulation and planning. Utilities can now rehearse extreme weather events, wildfire scenarios, and load surges before they happen, fundamentally changing how the grid stays reliable.Alejandro De Diego speaks with Marcus Johansson, Senior Executive - Wildfire Mitigation, Digital Transformation, Grid Modernization at Xcel Energy. The conversation explores how digital twins, virtual replicas of the physical grid, are enabling utilities to run simulations of weather events, wildfire scenarios, and increasing electricity demand. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Deigo - VP of Insights.Modo 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- 00:03 - Introduction- 01:45 - Xcel Energy Overview- 03:05 - Grid Modernization Role- 04:26 - Digital Twin Technology- 05:27 - Analytics vs Simulations- 06:15 - Wildfire Mitigation Strategies- 07:28 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure- 08:13 - Predictive Maintenance Applications- 08:42 - Data Integration Challenges- 10:29 - Distribution Management Systems- 13:17 - AI Load Forecasting- 14:20 - Peak Demand Management- 16:01 - Sustainability Journey- 16:28 - Energy Transition Motivation- 17:10 - Infrastructure Investment Plans- 18:22 - Transmission Focus Areas- 18:58 - Join Xcel Energy- 19:18 - Contrarian Industry Views- 20:11 - Service Orchestration Mindset- 20:44 - Build vs Buy- 21:25 - Future Generation Optimism

Power grids are shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive simulation and planning. Utilities can now rehearse extreme weather events, wildfire scenarios, and load surges before they happen, fundamentally changing how the grid stays reliable.Alejandro De Diego speaks with Marcus Johansson, Senior Executive - Wildfire Mitigation, Digital Transformation, Grid Modernization at Xcel Energy. The conversation explores how digital twins, virtual replicas of the physical grid, are enabling utilities to run simulations of weather events, wildfire scenarios, and increasing electricity demand. You can watch or listen to new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.Transmission is a Modo Energy production. Your host is Alejandro De Deigo - VP of Insights.Modo 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- 00:03 - Introduction- 01:45 - Xcel Energy Overview- 03:05 - Grid Modernization Role- 04:26 - Digital Twin Technology- 05:27 - Analytics vs Simulations- 06:15 - Wildfire Mitigation Strategies- 07:28 - Advanced Metering Infrastructure- 08:13 - Predictive Maintenance Applications- 08:42 - Data Integration Challenges- 10:29 - Distribution Management Systems- 13:17 - AI Load Forecasting- 14:20 - Peak Demand Management- 16:01 - Sustainability Journey- 16:28 - Energy Transition Motivation- 17:10 - Infrastructure Investment Plans- 18:22 - Transmission Focus Areas- 18:58 - Join Xcel Energy- 19:18 - Contrarian Industry Views- 20:11 - Service Orchestration Mindset- 20:44 - Build vs Buy- 21:25 - Future Generation Optimism

Subscribe to Investing In Bizarro World: @bizarroworld Editor's Note: We will have a new gold/antimony private placement open this week in Private Placement Intel. It's a tiny company with a C$7 million market cap that has secured some very prospective projects in Victoria, Australia. We have had great success with gold/antimony in previous deals, including with Southern Cross Gold in Victoria, which now sports a C$2.6 billion market cap. We also did very well with Perpetua Resources (formerly Midas Gold), which is now being built and has a US$3.5 billion market cap. No guarantees this new deal gets that big, but there's a lot of room between C$7 million and a few billion, and it has similar hallmarks. The deal will be open tomorrow. We have very little space left at Private Placement Intel. Click here to join: https://bit.ly/4ary0i7Macro Musings - Gold, silver, and copper are still in a bull market — but the path is going to be violent. We talked about how consolidations that used to take weeks now take days, sometimes hours, and Thursday's whipsaw was the perfect example: silver went from $90 to $65 in a single session. This is what a market looks like when paper positioning, leverage, and volatility are elevated. Nick walked through why S&P volatility has been manageable even with tech-heavy selling, while precious metals volatility has been the real story. The gold volatility gauge (GVZ) has been high enough to produce outsized daily ranges, and that's exactly what we're living through. On the macro backdrop, the message stayed consistent: inflation is still cooling, growth is still there, and the rate picture isn't signaling a hawkish regime. The dollar remains weak overall, and the two-year yield continues to suggest the Federal Reserve isn't gearing up to hike — which is fuel for the metals complex as the year progresses.Market Takes - The takeaway this week was simple: don't confuse volatility with failure. We said it plainly — gold can pull back and still be bullish, silver can retrace hard and still be fine, and copper can dip without breaking the bigger trend. If you'd been told a year ago we'd be talking about $4,800 gold and $74 silver as “stressful,” you would've laughed — and that perspective matters. We also emphasized how distorted tape action gets when volatility spikes. Strong earnings and good drill results can still sell off in the moment, not because fundamentals suddenly changed, but because liquidity, positioning, and risk management take over. That's why we kept repeating the discipline: know what you own, know why you own it, and use pullbacks to build positions — not to panic-sell them. We also hit uranium: the market's fixation on spot misses the bigger driver, which is contracting. Utilities are negotiating long-term pounds in a wide range, and the bigger question is what happens when availability tightens further and the ceiling moves higher. We closed this section with a quick Crypto Cycle note: Chris flagged a crypto winter setup, Bitcoin fell below $70,000 this week, and his view is a cyclical bear market that could bottom later this year around $58,000 or lower depending on the macro. The point wasn't doom — it was process: sometimes doing nothing is the right move, and patience can be an asset class.Bizarro Banter - We went where the headlines won't. The Epstein scandal and the government's handling of the files is beyond grotesque, and we said it plainly: redacting predators while exposing victims is cruelty — and the absence of meaningful arrests is the scandal layered on top of the scandal. The story is being managed instead of resolved: Speaker Mike Johnson dismissing it as “partying,” the broader donor-protection reality, and the global nature of the network. We talked about how the same elite ecosystem that preaches rules for everyone else operates through backchannels, favors, and protection — and how partisan tribalism keeps people from uniting around the obvious moral line: anybody involved in trafficking and abuse should be pursued and prosecuted, period. Brett Ratner, director of the “Melania” move, is in the files. Kathy Ruemmler, who was White House Counsel to Obama, is in the files. Brad Karp, chairman of Trump-preferred law firm Paul Weiss, is in the file. Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Giants owner Steve Tisch are in the files. British royalty are in the files. The Rothschilds are in the files. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is in the files. It's both sides. It's the global elite. And it's rotten.0:00 Introduction1:46 Macro Musings: Gold Volatility Explained. Metals Bull Intact. Dollar Weakness Persists. Buy-the-Dip Discipline.9:15 Market Takes: Tether Gold Buying. Uranium Contract Pricing. Project Vault Stockpile. Antimony.38:00 Bizarro Banter: Epstein Files Outrage. Constitutional Amendments Read. City Council Speech Fight.1:03:33 Premium Portfolio Picks: Subscribe here: https://bit.ly/3MeuuQ8

Our Chief LatAm Equity Strategist Nikolaj Lippmann discusses why Latin America may be approaching a rare “Spring” moment – where geopolitics, peaking rates, and elections set the scene for an investment-led growth cycle with meaningful market upside.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Nikolaj Lippmann: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Nikolaj Lippmann, Morgan Stanley's Chief Latin America Equity Strategist. If you ever felt like Latin America is too complicated to follow, today's episode is for you. It's Monday, February 9th at 10am in New York. The big idea in our research is simple. Latin America is facing a trifecta of change that could set up a very different investment story from what investors have gotten used to. We could be moving towards an investment or CapEx cycle in the shadow of the global AI CapEx cycle, and this is a stark departure from prior consumer cycles in Latin America. Latin America's GDP today is about $6 trillion. Yet Latin American equities account for just about 80 basis points of the main global index MSCI All Country World Equity benchmark. In plain English, it's really easy for investors to overlook such a vast region. But the narrative seems to be changing thanks to three key factors. Number one, shifting geopolitics in this increasingly global multipolar world. We can see this with trade rules, security priorities, supply chains that are getting rewritten. Capital and investment will often move alongside with these changing rules. Clearly, as we can all see U.S. priorities in Latin America have shifted, and with them have local priorities and incentives. Second, interest rates may very well have been peaking and could decline into [20]26. When borrowing cost fall, it just becomes easier to fund factories, infrastructure, AI, and expansion into all kinds of different investment, which become more feasible. What is more, we see a big shift in the size and growth of domestic capital markets in almost every country in Latin America – something that happens courtesy of reform and is certainly new versus prior cycles. And finally, elections that could lead to an important policy shift across Latin America. We see signs of movement towards greater fiscal responsibility in many sites of the region, with upcoming elections in Colombia and Brazil. We have already seen new policy makers in Argentina, Chile, Mexico, depart from prior populism. So, when we put all this together -- geopolitics, rates and local election -- you get to the core of our thesis, a possible LatAm spring; meaning a decisive break from the status quo towards fiscal consolidation, monetary easing, and structural reform. And we think that that could be a potential move that restores some confidence and attracts private capital. In our spring scenario, we see interest rates coming down, not rising in a scenario of higher growth to 6 percent in Brazil and Mexico, 7 percent in Argentina, and just 4 percent in Chile. This helps the rerating of the region. There's another powerful factor that I think many investors overlook, and that is a key difference versus prior cycles, as already mentioned. And that's the domestic savings. Local portfolios today are much bigger, much deeper capital markets, and they're heavily skewed towards fixed income. 75 percent of Latin American portfolios are in fixed income versus 25 percent in equity. In Brazil, the number's even higher with 90 to 95 percent in fixed income. If this shifts even halfway towards equity, it can deepen and support local capital markets; it supports valuation. For the region as a whole, sectors most impacted by this transformation would be Financial Services, Energy, Utilities, IT and Healthcare. Up until now, I think Latin America has been viewed as a region where a lot could go wrong. We asked the reverse question. What could go right? If the trifecta lines up: geopolitics, peaking rates and elections that enable a more investment friendly policy and CapEx cycle, Latin America could shift from being seen mainly as a supply of commodities and labor to far more investment driven engine of growth. That's why investors should put Latin America on the radar now and not wait until spring is already in full bloom. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen to the podcast and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.

Tech earnings calls have highlighted a new risk: There isn't enough electricity to power the new data centers. We will analyze the "Utility Supercycle" as power companies raise rates to build new capacity.Today's Stocks & Topics: State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI), Market Wrap, Preferred Stocks, Tyler Technologies, Inc. (TYL), SPDR Gold Shares (GLD), SPDR Gold MiniShares (GLDM), The "Grid" Bottleneck: AI vs. Utilities, Key Benchmark Numbers: Treasury Yields, Gold, Silver, Oil and Gasoline, Silver Tiger Metals Inc. (SLVTF), Discovery Silver Corp. (DSVSF), Visteon Corporation (VC), AECOM (ACM), Rubrik, Inc. (RBRK), KPMG and AI Cost Savings.Our Sponsors:* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/INVESTAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In Podcast #371, John Davis and the MotorWeek crew come together for a special episode to debrief everyone on which cars, trucks, & utilities we like the best this year in our annual Drivers' Choice Awards! Plus, we reveal which one we liked the best for our “Best of the Year”! This episode was filmed in our studio and can be seen on our YouTube channel.

Ashley Sellers of Equifax sits down with Jordan Sullivan, Director of Retail Lending at CSL Financial, to explore how modern credit scoring is reshaping mortgage lending. As one of the first lenders to adopt VantageScore for underwriting, CSL shares real-world results, from higher approval rates and lower costs to stronger portfolio performance. The conversation dives into affordability, trended credit data, thin-file borrowers, and why delaying adoption of new credit models may be a competitive disadvantage for lenders navigating today's evolving credit ecosystem.Economist Justin Begley of Moody's Analytics provides our economic update.In this episode:Why did CSL Financial adopt VantageScore for underwriting?CSL Financial adopted VantageScore after internal testing showed it was a stronger predictor of credit risk than legacy models. The lender found it better aligned with borrower behavior and more effective for evaluating thin and non-traditional credit files.How does VantageScore help lenders approve more borrowers?VantageScore uses trended credit data to evaluate whether a borrower's financial behavior is improving or declining over time. This allows lenders to make more informed decisions than snapshot-based models, helping qualified borrowers who may have been overlooked receive approval.What results has CSL Financial seen using VantageScore?Since adopting VantageScore, CSL Financial has increased loan pull-through rates from approximately 8% to nearly 20%, while maintaining stable delinquency levels. The lender has also reduced credit-related costs and improved portfolio performance. Who benefits most from VantageScore-based underwriting?Borrowers with thin credit files, limited credit history, or past credit challenges benefit most. This includes younger borrowers building credit and older consumers who have paid off debt and have limited active tradelines.Why is delaying VantageScore adoption a competitive disadvantage?Lenders who delay adoption risk higher costs, lower approval rates, and less accurate risk pricing. Early adopters like CSL Financial report both operational savings and stronger credit outcomes, making modern scoring models a competitive advantage.

Please donate to the show!This week, the Incorruptibles are tackling H.4744, the energy bill put forth by their chair of the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. We'll take on how it would drive up your energy bill, how it would hurt our environment, and how it would be great news for corporate profits.You're listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it's so broken, imagine what we could have here in MA if we fixed it, and report on how you can get involved.To stay informed:Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@theincorruptibles6939Subscribe to the podcast at https://incorruptible-mass.buzzsprout.com/Sign up to get updates at http://ww12.incorruptiblemass.org/podcast?usid=18&utid=30927978072Donate to the show at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/impodcast

Industrial and Basic Materials stocks are leading the "reflation" narrative—both have been strong, with Industrials tagging fresh highs and Materials extending a sharp run since December. The catch: these areas are increasingly overbought, and valuations eventually matter. The key question for 2026 is whether earnings and growth can "catch up" to prices that have already sprinted ahead. In this pre-market update, we walk through why disciplined investors rebalance to targets, take partial profits, and reduce risk without "selling everything." We also highlight what rotations tend to do: money chases what's hot, then swings back toward what was ignored. Staples were deeply out of favor late last year—then rallied as flows rotated. Energy also rebounded as oil broke higher after an oversold setup, but as positions work, it's time to harvest gains and avoid giving them back during the next volatility spike. Finally, we discuss where the next rotation could emerge: defensive, higher-dividend areas like Utilities have lagged and are out of favor—often a condition that sets up future inflows when investors pivot from offense to defense. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9f2tn_O1BUc --- Articles mentioned in this report: "Precious Metals Aren't Predicting Economic Collapse" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/precious-metals-arent-predicting-economic-collapse-draft/ --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SectorRotation #RiskManagement #ReflationTrade #PortfolioRebalancing

Greg Belfrage interviewed South Dakota State Senator Chris Karr. They went over the protest at the church in the Minneapolis, property taxes, protecting South Dakota waters, Data Centers and Utilities, Sales Tax, and more...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of Public Power Now, Tom Dankert, General Manager of Austin, Minnesota-based Austin Utilities, discusses how the utility is proactively addressing succession planning and details how the utility benefits from being a member of the Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency.

Behind on bills and not sure where to start? If money is tight and payments are stacking up, this episode gives you a clear starting point. Doug Hoyes and Licensed Insolvency Trustee Maureen Parent break down what to prioritize first, what can safely wait, how to handle creditor calls, and when it makes sense to look at a more permanent fix. A practical, no-panic roadmap for protecting the basics, stabilizing cash flow, and making informed next steps when the math isn't working. If debt is keeping you up at night, you don't have to endure forever – Start Here Free Hoyes Michalos Budgeting Workbook Debt Relief Repayment Calculator Subscribe to the Debt Free Digest – A free monthly e-newsletter Learn more about Canadian debt relief on the Hoyes Michalos YouTube channel! (00:00) Falling behind doesn't mean you failed (03:10) The first 48 hours: what to pay first (07:00) Rent, mortgage, and car payments: how to prioritize (11:00) Utilities, phone, and internet: hardship options (14:30) Credit cards and lines of credit: what can wait (17:45) Payday loans and why they make things worse (20:30) Taxes and CRA debt: what actually helps (23:00) Calling creditors: what to say and what to track (25:30) Building a 30-day survival budget (28:00) When to consider a formal solution Disclaimer: The information provided in the Debt Free in 30 Podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not intended as personal financial advice. Individual financial situations vary and may require personal guidance from a financial professional. The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, or any other affiliated organizations. We do not endorse or guarantee the effectiveness of any specific financial institutions, strategies, or digital tools/apps discussed.

Today from SDPB - a utility fire mitigation bill that has some worried about the impact to fire victims, a look at a Constitutional question the state's grappling with, a bill killed on the House floor and more

As artificial intelligence drives unprecedented growth in electricity demand, data centers are rapidly becoming some of the largest—and most consequential—loads on the U.S. power grid. Utilities that haven't seen meaningful load growth in decades now face mounting interconnection backlogs, rising costs, and growing concerns about reliability, emissions, and equity.In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios is joined by Dalia Patino-Echeverri of Duke University and Aroon Vijaykar of Emerald AI to explore whether load flexibility offers a way forward. They examine how data centers and AI stress today's grid, how modest and carefully designed curtailment could unlock significant new capacity without overbuilding infrastructure, and what emerging technologies and policies—from flexible interconnection to software-driven demand response—could mean for electricity affordability, grid reliability, and the future of AI development in the United States.The Driving Forces Behind a New Wave of Electricity Demand (2:12)What's Constraining the Grid? (6:18)Rethinking Grid Limits through Load Flexibility (17:20)Inside a Flexible Data Center (40:13)What This Means for Policy, Costs, and Emissions (54:13)Learn more by reading about Emerald AI's pilot in Phoenix and Duke's report on load growth and flexibility, Rethinking Load Growth: Assessing the Potential for Integration of Large Flexible Loads in US Power Systems. ★ Support this podcast ★

Ayla Burnett and Abigail Sawyer chat with Sarah Edmonds and Rebecca Sexton of the Western Power Pool on their backgrounds and the paths that led them to be leaders in the Western energy world. They also discuss the inception of two groundbreaking initiatives: the Western Resource Adequacy Program and the Western Transmission Expansion Coalition.

John Hardie reports that Russia continues targeting heat and light infrastructure in Kyiv, while Ukraine retaliates by striking Russian infrastructure. The segment examines the escalating war of attrition against civilian utilities as both sides seek to undermine morale and economic capacity through systematic attacks on essential services.1855 CRIMEA

US data centre announcements are averaging 435MW a month, and there's around 175GW of large-load capacity already committed or under construction. AI hyperscalers are looking for innovative ways to meet their energy demands. It's one of the biggest infrastructure challenges in energy right now: how to deliver reliable, fast power without derailing climate and decarbonisation goals. Joining interim host Bridget van Dorsten is Akhil Batheja, Director of Technology Strategy at Bloom Energy, to unpack why fuel cells have moved from “interesting clean technology” to the epicentre of the data-centre power conversation - and what that shift means for utilities, energy projects, and energy policy.Together they discuss how solid oxide fuel cells differ from turbines, engines and batteries - from efficiency and permitting advantages to “Lego block” scalability - and why “time to power” is becoming the defining metric for data center owners. Bridget and Akhil explore grid resilience and the realities of operating off-grid campuses, how fuel cells can handle spiky AI workloads using supercapacitors, and why a future high-voltage DC architecture could reshape data-centre efficiency. Finally, they look at pathways to cleaner fuels, including hydrogen, renewable energy-linked fuels like biogas/RNG, and carbon capture, plus the role of energy finance and green finance in accelerating climate change solutions across the energy transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trees are a major cause of power outages. They're also a wildfire risk—when branches hit a conductor, a small spark can become a big blaze. Lynn Petesch of Overstory joins thinkenergy to talk trees, exploring how AI, satellite imagery, and vegetation intelligence help utilities prevent outages and reduce wildfire threats. Including Hydro Ottawa, who saw a 44% drop in tree-related outages since partnering with Overstory. Listen in for how we work together to keep the grid safe in an era of extreme weather.   Related links  Overstory: https://www.overstory.com/ Lynn Petesch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnpetesch/  Trevor Freeman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-freeman-p-eng-8b612114  Hydro Ottawa: https://hydroottawa.com/en    To subscribe using Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinkenergy/id1465129405   To subscribe using Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wFz7rdR8Gq3f2WOafjxpl   To subscribe on Libsyn: http://thinkenergy.libsyn.com/ --- Subscribe so you don't miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/user/hydroottawalimited Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hydroottawa Stay in the know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HydroOttawa Keep up with the posts on X: https://twitter.com/thinkenergypod ----- Transcript: Welcome to thinkenergy, a podcast that dives into the fast, changing world of energy through conversations with industry leaders, innovators and people on the front lines of the energy transition. Join me, Trevor Freeman, as I explore the traditional, unconventional and up and coming facets of the energy industry. If you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas for topics we should cover, please reach out to us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com, Hi everyone. Welcome back. Today on thinkenergy, we're going to be talking about trees. Yes, you heard that correctly. Trees. I know this is a show about energy, but there's actually a very real connection between our electricity grid and those slow growing, majestic givers of shade, lumber, fruit and so many more benefits. Honestly, who doesn't love trees? But I'm not just kicking this episode off in my capacity as a tree hugger. Let's take a look at this through a utility lens, and I will use Hydro Ottawa as an example. Hydro Ottawa service territory includes some very rural and very forested areas. Even our urban territory has a fairly extensive tree canopy. As a result, Hydro Ottawa trims about 60,000 trees each year. Why? Because trees contracting power infrastructure is a big problem. Tree interference remains a leading cause of power outages for us. Strong winds force them onto our wires. Heavy snow or freezing rain builds up and weighs down branches, breaks limbs, and increases the risk that part of a tree may touch a line, and in some extreme cases, heavy storms can even send trees or branches crashing into our poles, damaging the poles. The struggle between power lines and trees, which, again, don't get me wrong, we all love trees, has been going on for years. There is a constant struggle between trimming enough and getting the right trees trimmed and maintaining as much tree coverage as we can. In 2022 we identified a disruptor in this dance, the solution came through a partnership with Overstory, a company that uses satellite imagery, infrared technology and artificial intelligence to help utilities manage vegetation and trim trees more efficiently. And the timing could not have been better. Just days after we started working with Overstory in the spring of 2022 the derecho hit Ottawa. Our Ottawa based listeners will remember this storm well. It was monumental in the history of our city, and indeed for us as utility, winds reached 190 kilometers an hour. For our non-metric listeners, that's nearly 120 miles per hour. The storm ripped through poles houses and cause considerable damage to our city's urban forests. Overstory played a crucial role during the cleanup and in helping us level up our vegetation management strategies moving forward, we realized that the insights we got from Overstory would help improve our proactive approach to tree encroachment and hazard identification, and this is essential in this era of extreme weather events. We know that climate change is causing more frequent and more extreme weather events. According to Climate Central, the number of weather related power outages in the United States increased by 78% between 2011 and 2021 and severe weather accounted for over 1000 outages across Nova Scotia just in the year of 2024 we want to keep you connected during these heavy storms, and that's why we're looking to organizations like Overstory. So what does Overstory do to help us keep the lights on? Well, without giving away too much, because we're going to get into the details shortly, Overstory through a detailed analysis of the scans they do of our entire grid, identifies high risk areas, which we can then prioritize and better focus our resources when it comes to vegetation management, this level of monitoring and focus reduces the risk of trees from coming into contact with our poles and disrupting Your connection to the grid, the results speak for themselves. Since partnering with Overstory, we've reduced vegetation related outages by 44% and that's only part of the story, as we'll discuss further, Overstory also plays a crucial role in helping utilities prevent wildfires in high risk areas across North America, similar to extreme weather, wildfire frequency and intensity is also increasing, in part due to climate change expanding cities and many other factors. And when wildfires do happen, these stories are heartbreaking. What many people don't realize is that lots of wildfires are sparked by trees making contact with power lines, and that is why Overstory plays a key role in tagging areas where those fires are most likely to ignite and spread, making it easier for utilities to prioritize trimming work and vegetation management in those areas. To dive more into how Overstory is helping us here at Hydro Ottawa and. And other utilities helping us identify and act to mitigate risk associated with vegetation. I'm really excited to have Lynn Petesch on the show today. Lynn is Overstory's, Head of Customer Success, and has spent the past 10 years building customer facing teams with a specific focus on technologies that tackle the climate crisis. She began her career working for the United Nations and the diplomatic service of her home country, Luxembourg, before moving into the tech sector to really work in environments where she could drive impact more quickly and at greater scale. Lynn Petesch, welcome to the show.   Lynn Petesch  05:34 Thank you. Thanks for having me.   Trevor Freeman  05:36 Okay, so let's start at the very top with a high level look at what Overstory does and how the organization came to be.   Lynn Petesch  05:45 Yeah, let me tell you about Overstory. I mean, we are a vegetation intelligence platform. We use remote sensing and AI to give electric utilities, including Hydro Ottawa and others, a clear, system wide view of their risk. They always do it because they want to address three things, or sometimes more, but kind of, there's always a few goal posts, and it's either improving reliability, reducing wildfire risk, if that is if they're in an area where there is a concern, and or improving operational efficiencies. So Overstory very much becomes a decision-making tool for their programs were used mostly by the vegetation management people, operations people, wildfire mitigation teams, and they each time they want to either use a program that exists, prioritize it, reshape their work. They might be preparing for storm. They might be working on a wildfire mitigation risk so the company, more broadly, was founded in 2018 by Anniek Schouten and Indra den Bakker. This was back in the Netherlands, and they were leveraging, or getting really interested in satellite imagery, and were very initially using it for deforestation purposes. So, the climate resilience DNA has always been with us. But like any startup, we were looking at that kind of target audience that was most interested in what we had to offer. And pretty quickly, we landed on the electric utilities. They had the most pressing need to use remote sensing at scale to solve very big problems, honestly. And so we pivoted into that space of electric utilities, and then in 2020 Fiona Spruill, who's our CEO right now, she joined us. She shaped the company into what it is today, and that is really around building safer and more reliable operations.   Trevor Freeman  07:33 That's great, and I want to dive into some of the details. Our listeners will know that we talk a lot about grid modernization here and talk a lot about better intelligence of what's happening on the grid in all aspects, and something we haven't really talked about, and I'm excited to talk to you about today is the sort of vegetation management side of it. So really excited to get into the details. But before we do that, I'm always really curious to understand, you know, the people behind the conversations. How did you get into this area of, you know, high tech vegetation management? I touched a little bit on your bio in the intro, but give us a sense of, you know, how did Lynn come to be in the space that you're in right now?   Lynn Petesch  08:12 Yeah, I wouldn't say I grew up thinking I was going to work in this space, but I love working in it now. So actually, right out of college, I went to work for the United Nations, but then in the last 15 years, I started working at high growth tech companies, startups, and I've always been focused on leading and building CS operations, which is basically the customer success teams. They're the ones that are in front of the customers, implementing these software programs, kind of working very closely with customer solving problems. And about four years ago, I decided that I did want to focus the rest of my career on solving the climate crisis more broadly. And I remember very clearly that I came across Overstory. And there was two things that really resonated with me. One was hearing that utility caused wildfires could be as thing of the past, like they are preventable. And the other thing was learning about this world where vegetation is the biggest cause of outages, which is, you know, I did not know before. And so I think, you know, having these very clear goals is very compelling to kind of work on something where it's so easy to understand what the big problems are. So I joined Overstory, and for the last couple of years, I've been building a team that gets really deeply embedded in these utilities, specifically with the vegetation management and the WiFi mitigation teams. And we work on their programs. We understand their programs, we help them reshape their programs. We roll out, obviously, the software element that is Overstory. It's been very fun and rewarding work   Trevor Freeman  09:40 That's great. And I really love, you know, talking to people from a variety of areas that they touch on climate change and the climate crisis. And I think there's a bunch of us who share that passion of wanting to do something. I spoke with a group of you know, recent grads about what is a green. In career. What is it? What does a career in climate change look like? And really it looks like whatever you want it to look like. There are so many aspects that touch on this. So kind of neat to hear how that was your passion, and then you figured out where it made sense for you to enter into the climate sphere. So that's great.   Lynn Petesch  10:15 Yeah, I guess when I was young, I thought you had to be a scientist to work on time, yeah. And I think now anyone can find an angle on how to contribute to it. And I think it needs everyone to help contribute.   Trevor Freeman  10:24 Yeah, any job can be a green job if you care about it and if you make it that okay. So let's get back to Overstory. Tell us a little bit about the evolution of the company. You talked about it kind of founding about seven years ago. Tell us how it's evolved and progressed over those seven years.   Lynn Petesch  10:41 Yeah, so when we started working with utilities, I think at that point, everyone was kind of assessing whether satellites could be kind of good use case for analyzing vegetation. We're now talking about 30 centimeter imagery. So the resolution of satellites has become incredible. You can really see branches. You can detect species of trees. You can see if they're healthy or not. So initially, that was kind of our m-o we really were the leading provider to find out, where are the trees, how close are they, in terms of proximity to your network, so to the conductor, which is the risk. You know, we're looking at the terrain. If you're looking in the mountains and in Colorado, you have very different terrain than maybe in Ottawa. So detecting tree species has been really interesting, detecting the health of trees, how that decline is furthering. A lot of utilities are experiencing a lot of tree decline die off right now. So that was how we started. And then we started working with the really big utilities. And you had to think about this problem at scale. Now, we might be scanning with satellites, hundreds, 10s of 1000s of miles at a time, and some of these utilities, they might have 1000s, if not 10s of 1000s, of trees that could pose a risk to their network. They might have had a really big, large weather event, a storm that knocked over some of their system. So at that point, it all becomes about that decisioning tool. Everything starts becoming a prioritization, and I think that's now where we're really leaning into is making not just surfacing the data, but making it very actionable. Utilities have a lot to deal with. They deal with very tight budgets, they deal with crew constraints. They might have an aging workforce, their regulatory pressure, they're really vulnerable to storms. Increasingly, there's a lot of wildfire exposure. So everything becomes a decision of, where should I focus my intention? Where can I get the biggest bang for my buck? What should I do? What should I not focus on? And that decisioning is where we really want to be a key player in.   Trevor Freeman  12:44 Absolutely. And looking forward, I know I'm kind of we're jumping the gun here. We haven't gotten into the details of what you do. But looking forward, what is your vision for, kind of the future of this space and how it's going to continue to evolve? Are you mature as a company yet, or as a sector, or is it still a lot of growth to happen?   Lynn Petesch  13:01 Yeah, I think vast majority utilities are now leveraging remote sensing. It could be lighter, it could be drones, it could be satellites. So that has become a pretty established tooling within the sector. I think what our vision really is, is providing utilities that shared resilience, first picture of risk. So you know, we imagine a world where you can, kind of like, see the emerging risks, and you can start becoming proactive. Being proactive in the space of vegetation management has been really challenging. You never know where the next tree is going to fall. And over the last couple of years, customers suddenly have access to this risk across their territory so that they can start being proactive about it. As a matter of fact, that was a key use case, also with the team at Hydro Ottawa, is to start launching these proactive programs. And I think when we think about it, we get very excited about the world in which anyone from the field crews to the vegetation managers to the operation folks to the execs, to the regulators, the community partners who think about the safety of their communities, the regulators all have that kind of shared view of risk. Just imagine, they all understand the same risk. They operate off the same sheet, and they make the same data driven decisions that could solve a lot of problems, because now the data is often scrambled across different people. Certain people have access to it and certain people don't.   Trevor Freeman  14:25 Great. Okay, so let's get into the specifics here. I want to actually talk about specifically what you what Overstory does. How do you find we've kind of talked about vegetation management, obviously, you're supportingHydro Ottawa and other utilities in our vegetation management programs. How do you find and tag high risk vegetation? What is high risk like? What do you actually do on a day to day basis?   Lynn Petesch  14:47 Yeah, that's the part that I deal with the most often. So excited to get into specifics. Implementing with Overstory is actually pretty easy. I mean, when we start working with a customer, we need to know where is your grid. So we need to understand where your power lines are. Planning. We need to understand the main configurations of them. How tall are the poles, etc, so we can really compute that whole focus of where the trees in relation to your power lines, to your conductors. That's all ultimately that we're focusing on. Increasingly, we're all seeing focusing on the ground. I'll be talking about that as well. We then task these satellites over your territory. We do that during the leaf on season, so that will be the summer, essentially. And then we run all these models. So we are first needing to understand, where are the trees, what is their height, what is their health? An unhealthy tree is much more likely to fall and cause damage to your power lines. We're looking at the fuels on the ground. We can help you determine what type of equipment you might need to attack certain types of vegetation. And we always compute it to that risk to the conductor. And we look at your right of ways. Now, I think the interesting part about your question is the what is high risk? And that is, can be very different across different utilities, and I think that's the maybe the unique part with Overstory is that we can configure it to your standards. So every utility has very unique components. If you're on the West Coast and you're concerned about wildfires, your tolerance to risk will be very different. And if you're on the East Coast, where you're mostly concerned about not causing too many outages, including that you might have specific trimming specifications. The crews running around with chainsaws, they know exactly how far out they need to trim, how much they can trim, and there's a bit of a risk tolerance thing. So we built very configurable risk frameworks for all of our utility partners, so high means one thing to hydro Ottawa means something different to a customer in California that is facing a very different type of risk.   Trevor Freeman  16:49 So you're out there assessing, essentially, just for the context of our listeners, you know, we've got power lines that run overhead. They run through residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, but also forested areas, treed areas where there's lots of vegetation near our equipment, your company really gets an understanding of the the interaction between the vegetation and our lines, and says, these ones are too close, or this is a tree that's, you know, not healthy, and could come in contact with your lines based on your analysis. So help us, like, let's paint that picture a little bit more detailed. How do utility companies take the information that you are coming up with, that your analysis is coming up with, and use that to run a vegetation management program more effectively? What does the utility do with that information?   Lynn Petesch  17:37 Yeah, so we always center it around four main use cases. One is optimizing a program that already exists. It's creating a targeted program for you. It's quantifying your work and risk reporting. And I'll dive into each and every one of them a little bit to illustrate a bit more what that could mean. So when we think about program optimization, a lot of utilities, they have existing vegetation management cycle. They might have a regulatory obligation to visit their territory every four years, for example. Now, a lot of times they've been doing their program the same way for the last 10 maybe 20 years, but the conditions in their territory are different, right? I mean, the things we're seeing, the storms are heavier. There's more tree decline that we're seeing right now. So they know they need to adapt and they need to adjust it. But it's big programs with lots of budgets attached to it, a lot of crews running around. So starting to think about how you can start pulling a socket that you're meant to trim forward, or starting to tackle an area where you say, is more residential, there's fewer trees, focusing on your high risk areas. First re managing these programs is one key component that we work with a lot of companies on. And thinking about Oklahoma, Gas and Electric, for example, that they have a budget, and they can only do that much with the budget, and it was really about reinventing where they can get the biggest impact. The other one, the second use case, is this targeted program creation, and I'll use the Hydro Ottawa use case for that. You know, they had suddenly a view about where are all of their hazard trees? Hazard trees are these trees that are declining, they're dying, or they're dead, and they could have an impact on your system. Now, suddenly you know where they are, so you can start building a targeted program about dedicating some time and budget and crews to actually going and addressing those trees that has a big impact on your reliability and on reducing tree cost outages. And there's many others, sort of like hotspotting, is a very common term about starting to become proactive and doing something for a specific program. And the third one is work quantification. And I think there, when you think about it again, there's large contractors that are running around, managing your territory. And now we utilities, for the first time, often have that data to actually assess how much work there is. So that's really helpful in terms of negotiating your contracts, getting better bids. Some utilities say it's really hard to find contractors that want to work on their system, because it's very hard to estimate how much work there is, or they might have a budget to mow certain vegetation along a transmission corridor. Just knowing how much vegetation there is is a really helpful tool to address it and prioritize it in the right way. And then the fourth use case is the risk reporting, and that is about getting that baseline view about your risk and tracking it year over year. And this is really where we want utilities to have that data to report it out to their boards, insurers, regulators, and often it's used to defend your budgets, secure your budgets, or really have some data to kind of back you up on what the problems are that you're facing.   Trevor Freeman  21:05 Great. So you talk about data, and you know, each of those use cases that you mentioned, or strategies that you mentioned really are about getting the right information in the hands of the right people to make decisions and sort of more efficiently and effectively make decisions, but it's a lot of data. And so Hydro Ottawa has over 6000 kilometers of lines. You know, this, of course, as our partner, we have a big territory, and we have a fairly treed territory. That's a lot of data points. You're collecting a lot of data from your satellites. You're doing analysis on that. How are you doing that analysis? Is it, you know, AI is kind of a buzzword, and every sector right now, and the utility sector is no different. Are you using some form of AI or machine learning analytics? What are you doing in terms of, you know, crunching the numbers and coming up with the right actions?   Lynn Petesch  21:59 Totally, yeah, AI is a buzzword, but it's also very exciting. I think utilities have really embraced it already. They're using it for demand forecasting. They're using it for customer service. They're using it for asset planning. I mean, at the core, Overstory has been using AI to turn remote sensing data into operationally useful intelligent about their vegetation. So when you say yes, Hydro Ottawa has that many 1000s of kilometers of overhead lines, we need to a rank it to them. This is your worst circuit. This is your worst area. This is the area where you have the most hazard trees, for example. So we can really rank order on a span level, from the worst to the best, right? So that could be one thing, it's still an overwhelming amount of data. So where we started by using AI to kind of predict that whereas the trees How tall are, they were and they were relation to the conductors. Now what we're really excited about, or kind of leaning into, with AI, is how to intelligently, kind of assess and prioritize risk. So not every hazard tree has the same impact. If a hazard tree falls on a line where more houses are dependent on you will knock out the power of more people. So it's always a prioritization exercise, and leveraging AI for that is what is most exciting to us right now. And I think it's important to note that we also don't just want it to be a black box. All of the models we've built, they're always validated by certified arborists and kind of our utility partners. And I think at this stage, this is very important, because every tree that we find exists in the real world, and so validating this, AI in the with ground truthing, has been really important for us to also build that trust in the technology.   Trevor Freeman  23:42 That's great. And I do think it's helpful for our listeners to kind of understand the context before this, this work is sort of done, you know, in the absence of a tool like yours, it's, it's sort of done. You know, there's a degree of manual effort here. There's a degree of patrolling the lines. There's a cycle of vegetation management. So if you've done a line this year in three years or four years or five years, you want to be looking at it again. This takes a little bit of that, I don't want to call it guesswork, but it takes a little bit of that manual effort out of the equation, and really focuses efforts in the right way. And it's only with the tools that you know you folks are using that you're able to do that volume of analysis and get that pinpoint accuracy. So that's fantastic. Let's, let's get into kind of the success of it at all, like the big picture. We've obviously talked a couple times here that you're our partner here at Hydro Ottawa, so I know that the success that we're having with you, but you know, tell us some of the great success stories with other utility partners. Are you, you know, are you actually reducing weather related outages? Are you seeing the impact of using the overstory tools and methodology to support utility partners?   Lynn Petesch  24:58 Yeah, I mean weather related outages can mean many things. You have trees knocking over, like the pole might crack, etc, you know, those there's a lot of things that can happen during a storm. And I've heard a lot of stories about side of some of the storms that Ottawa has experienced in the past years, where, you know, you could have had anything, and they're just heavier, and that the consequences are really strong, but what we can impact is the tree cost outages, right? And that we've proven with Hydro Ottawa, where, within a year, by focusing that targeted program on going to an area where you had a massive amounts of these trees that were dying off and they at any point, was just a little bit too heavy wind could be toppled over and fall on the line, we had a 44% reduction in tree cost outages. That's a real, tangible number. You can see, I'm thinking about utility as well. In the on the East Coast, a co op that runs through very rural areas. In those areas, you have a trees outside of the right of way that are toppling over on two lines. So tree cost outages are a huge issue for them, and it's really impacting their safety and safety those key, key KPIs that utilities are always tracking and by us just giving them a rank order of which has a tree they had so many of them, which has a tree to even go to first, because if that has a tree were to fall on a line, a ton more people are going to be out of power than if the other one were to fall the line, you will have, like one rural cabin that will not have power. And that led to a reduction of something around 90% of tree cause outages is to 70% it's still a long way to go, but it was a really tangible number that you can see, and it shows that if you then do that proactive work, you have real impact on your tree cost outages. And it's if I think about our customer in California, Pacific Gas and Electric, for example, it's a lot around helping them understand where they don't need to go. So it's kind of doing something of a visual inspection and actually skipping certain spans, that can be itself a really big use case. Because right now, if you don't have an understanding about where your risks are, you might be spending trucks to roll for hours around areas where there is not really any tangible work to be done. So redirecting them to the right areas is where we've seen a lot of success there, and that obviously leads to budget wins, right? You'll be saving a lot of money by doing that. And those are kind of the use cases that we chase and that we kind of help prove the cases on.   Trevor Freeman  27:29 Absolutely, yeah, there's, there's only so many resources you can you can throw at this, and making sure that we prioritize and focus those resources in the right spot is absolutely critical. You were just talking about the West Coast, and you mentioned this earlier. I know wildfires is is an area that is obviously of great interest for your organization. We're fortunate here at Hydro Ottawa, and that we haven't really had to deal with that much. But anybody who's you know following the news knows this is a major problem for us. So how, what is your role in helping those utilities prevent wildfires? Maybe give us, like, a very quick primer on why utilities are a factor when it comes to wildfires first, and then how your organization is supporting that.   Lynn Petesch  28:13 So unfortunately, utility cost wildfires tend to be the most catastrophic wildfires because they're critical infrastructure, and we've obviously seen that happen across the world, in in the US recently, again and again. But utility cost wildfires, as I said at the beginning, are also the actual wildfires that are preventable. So that's really where we're lying to lying into a lot of the forests right now. They've become Tinder boxes. That is obviously because of fire suppression policies? That's because of forest management techniques that have been leveraged in the last couple of 100 years that are slowly changing at different paces? Canada's had some, unfortunately, some really bad fire seasons recently as well. And so where overstory wanted to place itself as a net prevention space to even not add to the point where you have a spark, because there's a lot of tools out there that focus on mitigation and what is, what do you do when you see that first plume of smoke coming up? And so we've landed in kind of really focusing on the prevention side, so that utilities are hopefully in the future, not the ones that spark any of those catastrophic wildfires we've already always been looking at that the vegetation that could touch your conductor, right? That's I've been speaking about that a lot, but now we're really excited for the first time, and we recently announced that we launched a fuel detection model. So that's us looking at the ground fuel conditions, and those are actually usually the key contributors to the spark that spreads the fire. We're now providing that to utilities as a much higher resolution than ever before. For me, it's interesting because I've spent a lot of time looking at trees, and now I'm going into the field and I'm looking at the ground, and it's a new perspective. But yet again, we could just, you know, we don't want to overwhelm our customers. A lot of maps and showing the fuel conditions, necessarily, we can really help them identify those spans where a single failure would have the greatest consequence. So yet again, it's about how to make that data that, you know, there's a lot of wildfire risk map out there, but make it a very actionable list of spans that if they were to tackle those they are very proactively reducing the risk of igniting a fire. And as a result of the protecting their communities.   Trevor Freeman  30:29 Got you so it's not just about the overhead trees, branches, etc, contacting the line. It's, you know, if a switch goes, if an insulator pops, if, if something happens that will cause sparks. What's happening on the ground below that line, and how do we make sure it is able to withstand sparks? That might happen.   Lynn Petesch  30:49 Exactly if you have dry grasses, if you have sagebrush, if you have certain types of fuels, they're just much more likely to spark a fire and then spread, spread out without there even be any any trees you have these prairies along Texas that can blow up in a fire very quickly, and the fires can spread to tremendous sizes. And so understanding the fuels on the ground is really important.   Trevor Freeman  31:15 Super interesting and fascinating work to get involved in. As you mentioned, this is obviously an area of, I don't even know if I call it growing concern anymore, great concern for for the utility industry and all of us. Yeah. So with the technology that's, you know, we talked about AI a little bit ago, it's literally growing before our eyes. It's really evolving fast. Do you see your technology evolving along with it. What's what's kind of next for your organization? You talked about getting into sort of the ground vegetation management. What comes next? How do you see it evolving as AI and tools evolve?   Lynn Petesch  31:52 Yeah, I mean, if we see that the future is where we want to support a grid that is much safer and reliable, as I mentioned, we also want to make it sure it's resilient to the climate and the economic pressures that there are. So our initial focus and our continued focus, and where we have a lot of our expertise has been with vegetation. Now we're starting to look at the ground fuels, then that naturally evolves into looking at the asset vulnerabilities. So you know, the actual polls, and if there's any failures potentially on those as well as further weather exposures, right? It becomes, then about the soil moisture. It comes about the wind speed. It becomes around the rain, precipitation, etc. So there's a myriad of things that we can start looking at and that we want to start looking at in order to get that more holistic view of risk, and go beyond just vegetation right now, where we're investing most heavily in is that wildfire risk. There's also the resolution that we see with satellites right now is at 30 centimeter that may drop down to 15 or 10 centimeters, so the resolution will get higher. There's other sources that we're exploring already flying, sometimes aerial imagery that is at that five to 15 centimeters, then you would really start seeing soon, you can start seeing a leaf on a on a tree. It gets really impressive. There's lighter there's lots of other kind of remote sensing technologies that we're looking to leverage in the future. And then, as a company as well, we're starting to, obviously expand internationally. We started working with utilities in New Zealand that have very similar problems and various regulatory changes. They also have a problem with wildfire risks. So that is, that is another angle that at Overstorey We're chasing right now.   Trevor Freeman  33:35 Yeah, I'm glad you brought up that. You know, understanding of other assets beyond just vegetation, has kind of been running through my head of we talk about, and I think we've talked about it here on the show. If we haven't, I should do an episode on that, like a digital twin, a digital twin of our grid, and really having a good understanding of not just, you know, a line drawn on a map of, Hey, your circuits run this way, but really physically, what's happening out there, and being able to sort of model that interact with it in a digital way, to understand, if we do X, Y and Z, what happens. So the technology that you guys are using to really get good imagery and understanding of what's out there, well, I think what I'm hearing from you is could potentially be leveraged in that next level to understand, what pulls do we have? What health are they in? What you know, what's happening with that conductor? Is it sagging too much? Is it in good health? Like there's, there's all this opportunity that's really fascinating to hear.   Lynn Petesch  34:31 Yeah, already. Now, when we look at transmission corridors, we look at the sag of these lines, and the terrains are also really challenging, something to look at. So there's a lot of factors that need to be taken into account. And that can only expand as we want to look at risk more beyond just the vegetation element.   Trevor Freeman  34:48 Very cool. Well, Lynn, very interesting to hear this. I'm really glad you came on the episode or the show today to talk to us. Fascinating to hear what Overstory have to I know that we're super excited to be. Working with you here at Hydro Ottawa and excited for what comes next. We always end our interviews with a series of questions, so I'm going to dive into those and here we go. What is a book that you've read that you think everyone should read?   Lynn Petesch  35:13 I was thinking about an author more than a book. My favorite author is Jonathan Franzen. If I would recommend one book, it'd probably be Corrections, his most famous one, I believe. But they're like, these chunky, 800-900 page books where you kind of get immersed in these families and you feel like you know them at the end, and they kind of, I think about them for like, months afterwards. They're really good reading, at least for the winter when it's cold and you spend a lot of time inside. So probably Jonathan Franzen books, yeah.   Trevor Freeman  35:41 Yeah, we're we're recording this just before the holidays, and I think we'll be releasing the episode after but winter is such a great time to curl up with a book, and it's awesome to have a good recommendation of a nice thing.   Lynn Petesch  35:53 It'll be called in January.   Trevor Freeman  35:56 Absolutely. So same question, but a movie or a show?   Lynn Petesch  36:00 Yeah, I'm not a big movie buff, but I recently rewatched What's Eating Gilbert Grape, seen it with Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, and I always felt like Leonardo DiCaprio should have received an Oscar for that performance back when he was 14. But, yeah, it's a beautiful movie. awesome.   Trevor Freeman  36:20 Awesome yeah, that's a bit of a blast from the past, but you're right. That is a fantastic one. If someone offered you a free round trip flight anywhere in the world, where would go?   Lynn Petesch  36:27 French Polynesia, because it's so far I've never been a friend who went. I'm sure it's very expensive to go there, so it'd be great for someone too. Yeah, no, that's a place I'll go one day.   Trevor Freeman  36:41 So, yeah, fantastic. Who is someone that you admire?   Lynn Petesch  36:45 Yeah, that's a it's a tricky one, because I was thinking about, like, people, you know, in, I know, family, etc. But like, if I were to think about a, and it's a little left field, about a public persona, and also a bit of a blast from the past, I'll think about Tina Turner. She's been my icon since I'm a kid, I was always listening with my dad to Tina Turner. And I think the word that I've probably most used in today's episode was like resilience. And I always think about her as like possibly the most resilient woman in the world who reinvented herself and her career in her 40s and 50s, and is this complete power woman, you know, always done everything at her own terms. So get so much energy from not just her music. I've seen so many documentaries about her, and she's always been this kind of woman that I know, filthy with energy and kind of like drive. So I'm a big, big fan of Tina Turner.   Trevor Freeman  37:38 That's fantastic. I have to say, that's never come up on the show before, and now I need to go and dive down a rabbit hole of like, learning about Tina Turner listening to some music.   Lynn Petesch  37:47 Yeah, she's great woman.   Trevor Freeman  37:48 Yeah, good answer. Last question, what's something about the energy sector, or let's expand that to kind of the climate sector that you're really excited about?   Lynn Petesch  37:59 Yeah, I'm gonna take a very high level. But I think the thing I've always been following the most is, like, that broad topic of the energy transition, and I think the recent changes, or like, kind of the way we talk about it, has become a lot more interesting, because it used to be this kind of fluffy, big kind of vision, and now we're in that phase where it just has to be very practically implemented, and we're trudging along with it, no matter the political climate, etc, there is kind of a move forward. And I actually really liked the way that, I think, when I first started learning about it, or getting interested in it, it was always about renewables, and now it's around just sort of like needing to build a system that is both, like low carbon and climate resilient. And there's something in that, like way we talk about it now that I find really interesting. There's immense amounts of innovation in it. So yeah, I'm just enjoying following what's happening on that and how we are. We're moving that direction, no matter what's happening right now. So that's exciting.   Trevor Freeman  38:55 Yeah, okay, when I know my listeners are probably roll their eyes, because I say this all the time, but it's a very exciting time to be in this industry, and very exciting to kind of see the evolution of energy and how we're interacting with it, how it's impacting our society. And we really feels like we're at an inflection point. And very great to have you working on one aspect of it that people probably don't think about a lot. So thanks very much for what you're doing.   Lynn Petesch  39:19 Yeah, exactly. When you start working for Overstory, the one thing that happens is, wherever you go, you see trees and power lines. And I have very keen eye for, unfortunately, trees that are in poor health right now. So that's one of the professional things I've developed.   Trevor Freeman  39:35 Carry like a spool of red ribbon around you can, like, tie on the at risk trees and just so someone could come along. Lynn, thanks so much for coming on the show today. Really appreciate it. It's been great chatting with you.   Lynn Petesch  39:45 Thank you so much.   Trevor Freeman  39:46 Take care. Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the thinkenergy podcast. Don't forget to subscribe. Wherever you listen to podcasts, and it would be great if you could leave us a review. It really helps to spread the word. As always, we would love to hear. From you, whether it's feedback comments or an idea for a show or a guest, you can always reach us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com..

AI Fuels Power Growth, Politics Shape the Path As utilities enter 2026, the investment narrative evolves from a pure growth story to one defined by smarter positioning and selective opportunity. While AI‑driven power demand and data center expansion remain powerful secular tailwinds, political scrutiny about electricity affordability-especially in states with tightly contested elections-introduces complexity. Some state governments are addressing these concerns by designing data‑center tariffs that shift costs away from residential customers, ideally lowering consumer bills while unlocking economic development. In the opinion of BofA Global Research utilities analyst Ross Fowler, recent weakness in power stocks likely reflects rotation and a somewhat unfair association with AI spending risks in corners of the market rather than fading fundamentals. This has created some particularly attractive entry points. Utilities that balance growth, regulation, and reliability are well positioned to perform in this current market regime. As for the source of generation growth, different costs and profiles will mean various utilities will see growth, from solar and storage to nuclear.   You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.   "Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Ireland is in danger of facing an electricity shortage event in the next two to five years due to the rapid energy demand. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities published a new plan outlining how data centres are the primary source of the demand. But is there time to prepare for this? To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Eamonn O'Reilly, Chairman of the Energy and Climate Action Committee at the Irish Academy of Engineering and also Dr Muireann Lynch senior research officer at the ESRI.

Unbilled utilities don't scream.They whisper and slowly drain your NOI while no one's looking.In today's Multifamily Operations Tip of the Day, Mike Brewer unpacks a silent but costly threat in property management: unbilled utilities.It's one of the easiest ways to bleed margin — and most teams won't notice until it's too late. Faulty meter reads. Sloppy allocation. Gaps in billing during unit turns. It all adds up. And here's the kicker: AI is your best defense.AI can run a real-time audit of your utility billing processes, flagging mismatches between usage and charges the moment they happen. That's not just efficient. That's smart income protection.But it gets better. We're entering an era where AI doesn't just observe, but acts. Real-time prevention. Autonomous corrections. And in 2026 and beyond, a new acronym will lead the charge: IF. Fair and accurate utility billing isn't just about recouping costs. It builds trust, promotes conservation, and protects your NOI. Precision is no longer optional — it's table stakes.If you're ready to stop invisible losses and start using AI to protect your portfolio's bottom line, like this video, subscribe, and share your utility billing best practices in the comments.Support comes from: https://www.365connect.com/?utm_campaign=mmnHosted by: https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.comPlus: why in-person events like RETCON https://retconference.com/ matter more now than ever.

Scott Wapner and the Investment Committee debate whether you should buy the volatility as President Trump's new threats of tariffs against Europe push stocks sharply lower. Plus, the desk share their latest portfolio moves.  And later,  Josh Brown spotlights Utilities in his "Best Stocks in the Market."Investment Committee Disclosures Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Equity investment analyst and portfolio manager Bobby Chada looks at the European utilities sector.  Bobby outlines what these companies can bring to a portfolio and why their traditional boring label is outdated as we enter a golden age of electrical grid building. #CapGroupGlobal This content is intended to highlight issues and be of a general nature. It should not be considered  advice, an endorsement or a recommendation. Products mentioned are not an offer of the product and  may not be available for sale or purchase in all countries. All investments have risk, and you may lose  money. Past results are not a guarantee of future results. Statements attributed to an individual represent  the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of  Capital Group or its affiliates. For our latest insights, practice management ideas and more, subscribe to Capital Ideas at  getcapitalideas.com. If you're based outside of the U.S., visit capitalgroup.com for Capital Group insights. Watch our latest podcast, Conversations with Mike Gitlin, on YouTube: https://bit.ly/CG-Gitlin-playlist This content is published by Capital Client Group, Inc., and copyrighted to Capital Group and affiliates,  2025, all rights reserved.  For more information, including our detailed disclosures, visit www.capitalgroup.com/global-disclosures. U.K. investors can view a glossary of technical terms here: https://bit.ly/49rdcFq To stay informed, follow us LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42uSYbm YouTube: https://bit.ly/4bahmD0 Follow Mike Gitlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegitlin/ About Capital Group Capital Group was established in 1931 in Los Angeles, California, with the mission to improve people's  lives through successful investing. With our clients at the core of everything we do, we offer carefully  researched products and services to help them achieve their financial goals. Learn more: capitalgroup.com Join us: capitalgroup.com/about-us/careers.html Copyright ©2026 Capital Group

Energy represents one of the largest and most manageable cost centers for water and wastewater utilities—accounting for 10–40% of operating budgets. Unlike other operational expenditures like labor, utilities can modify the amount of energy used and how much it costs by choosing the right combination of technologies. As electricity demand in the global water sector is projected to reach 4–8% of total global consumption by 2040, utilities face mounting pressure to reduce costs, manage volatility, and meet carbon reduction targets. In this episode, Bluefield senior analyst Maria Cardenal joins host Reese Tisdale to discuss findings from a new global report on energy optimization across water and wastewater operations. The conversation covers: Where the biggest savings lie: Pump optimization and aeration control represent 70–80% of total energy consumption, with digital solutions delivering 15–40% energy savings and payback periods as short as 2–3 months Regional adoption patterns: Why Europe is leading through regulatory mandates like the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, while North America remains ROI-driven with uneven uptake The technology shift: How utilities are moving from hardware-first approaches to software-led optimization built on AI, digital twins, and advanced analytics Hidden benefits beyond energy bills: Extended asset life, deferred capital expenditures, and reduced maintenance costs that often represent the largest financial returns If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven't already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you'd like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: Energy Optimization for Water Utilities: A Digital Playbook for Cost and Carbon Reduction

Bobby Deery sits down with Praveen Chandrahomhan, SVP of Origination Growth at Cotality, to explore how AI is reshaping mortgage lending. They discuss the rise of “micro AI” in origination, the balance between speed and empathy in the borrower journey, and why personalization and retention are becoming critical in a purchase-driven market. In this episode:How is AI changing mortgage lending?AI is improving customer service, underwriting, document processing, and workflow automation while keeping humans in the loop. AI helps lenders increase speed, accuracy, and empathy throughout the borrower journey.What mortgage challenges does AI help solve?The conversation highlights how AI reduces friction, improves clarity for borrowers, lowers operational costs, and supports more personalized experiences—especially in a highly regulated, purchase-driven market.Why are personalization and retention so important right now?With fewer refinance opportunities and evolving trigger legislation, lenders are prioritizing retention and relationship-based lending. AI-powered data and automation help lenders stay connected to borrowers across the full lifecycle of homeownership.

As geopolitical tensions rise, digital warfare has become the new front line. We will discuss why Cybersecurity stocks are becoming the "Utilities" of the 2026 economy—providing essential, recession-proof revenue.Today's Stocks & Topics: Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (SWKS), Market Wrap, KPP Newsletter, Call Options ETFs, Buying Physical Silver, ATI Inc. (ATI), Key Benchmark Numbers: Treasury Yields, Gold, Silver, Oil and Gasoline, “The "Cyber" Supercycle: The New Utility”, Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO), Kraken Robotics Inc. (PNG.V), Broadcom Inc. (AVGO), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS), New Warning from Pimco.Our Sponsors:* Check out ClickUp and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://www.clickup.com* Check out Invest529: https://www.invest529.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The First Lady of Water returns. Cathy Bailey, Assistant City Manager for the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, joined the podcast to talk about her transition from Executive Director of Greater Cincinnati Water works to the City Manager's Office. She discussed highlights from her time leading the utility, how her background informs how she approaches the job as an Assistant City Manager, and the importance of community engagement. Cathy shared how she shifted the culture of the utilities department from customer-first to employee-first and why that was important. She also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years. Host: Ben Kittelson

The impact data centers could have on Wisconsin's utility landscape and infrastructure. What Wisconsin's version of C-SPAN shutting down means for transparency in our state's politics. Meet this year's Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate.

The hurricane-level wind speeds of the mid-December storms had a broad impact across the Treasure State. Well over 100,000 electricity users were without out power in every geographic direction of our 147-thousand square miles. The vastness and rural nature of […] The post Restoring Power – Utilities Recap Major Windstorm Efforts first appeared on Voices of Montana.

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 PictureConspiracy no more, the D’s in Mass want to limit miles people can drive because of climate change. Biden/Obama forces electrical prices higher, Trump is now bringing the prices down and AI datacenters will be powered separately. The [CB] awakening has begun. Sometime you need to show the people the truth. The world is changing, Trump has shutdown the money supply around the world, the [DS] is in a deep panic and soon the people of Iran will take back their own country. As the [DS] criminal syndicate falls apart are they planning an armed civil war? Trump admin designates the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, other chapters to follow. In the end the Patriots have full control, once the chaos begins the partios will round them all up, it will be clean and swift. Economy https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2010831605430976627?s=20  Telecommunications, Utilities, & Energy and now heads to the Senate Ways and Means Committee (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");    major changes beginning this week to ensure that Americans don't “pick up the tab” for their POWER consumption, in the form of paying higher Utility bills. We are the “HOTTEST” Country in the World, and Number One in AI. Data Centers are key to that boom, and keeping Americans FREE and SECURE but, the big Technology Companies who build them must “pay their own way.” Thank you, and congratulations to Microsoft. More to come soon! President DJT Trump Will Request to Limit Credit Card Interest Rates to 10% for One Year to Combat the Scams of the Big Financial Companies   Trump Administration. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP This initiative is a great for reversing the damage caused by leftist policies that prioritized uncontrolled spending and galloping inflation over the well-being of the working people. Under the Biden administration, credit card interest rates skyrocketed, reaching an average of 21.5 % in 2024, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank, exacerbated by inflation that reached peaks of 9 % in 2022. This escalation was not an accident, but the direct result of Democratic policies that injected trillions in unnecessary stimuli, increasing the national debt and forcing the Fed to raise base rates to contain the crisis. Source:  gatewayhispanic.com  https://twitter.com/truflation/status/2011071380175860037?s=20   price data has been showing  https://twitter.com/julie_kelly2/status/2010924086981984640?s=20 https://twitter.com/DrJStrategy/status/2011032604313518251?s=20  a hoax. What Powell actually did •Powell chose to go public with a dramatic video statement saying DOJ subpoenas “threatened a criminal indictment” over his testimony on the Fed's multibillion‑dollar building renovations. •He explicitly framed the subpoenas as “pretexts” and cast them as retaliation for the Fed setting rates independently of the president, elevating a renovation/cost‑overrun inquiry into an existential attack on central bank independence. The framing of criminal indictment came from Powell! In what look liked a scripted response, all of the Fed acolytes on Wall St cried foul, they bought in hook line and sinker!!! What the U.S. Attorney is saying •The U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C. has stated they contacted the Fed “on multiple occasions” about cost overruns and Powell's congressional testimony, were ignored, and therefore resorted to formal legal process, which they stress “is not a threat.” •Jeanine Pirro has been explicit that “the word ‘indictment' has come out of Mr. Powell's mouth, no one else's,” and that “none of this would have happened if they had just responded to our outreach.” “Above the law” behaviour. •Powell now publicly insists “no one is above the law,” even as the record shows the Fed disregarded informal outreach and only engaged once grand jury subpoenas landed, which is the opposite of transparent cooperation. Recall Choke Point 2.0 and the unbanking of individuals. •By recasting a straightforward question of cost overruns and possible misstatements to Congress as an illegitimate “criminal indictment threat,” Powell is effectively demanding a special zone of immunity wrapped in the rhetoric of independence. Why central bankers are “charging the hill” •Former Fed chairs and global monetary grandees have rushed out statements condemning the probe as an attack on Fed independence, treating any prosecutorial look at a central banker as inherently out of bounds. The former Fed officials' statement is doing exactly what the “51 intel officials” letter did on the Hunter Biden laptop: using elite signatures to launder a political narrative into institutional dogma and declare scrutiny itself illegitimate. Powell and his allies are recasting a narrow DOJ inquiry into cost overruns and testimony accuracy as an existential assault on “independence,” and an all‑too‑willing media is once again treating the letter as revealed truth instead of asking hard questions This closes ranks around the idea that central banks sit on a higher plane than normal agencies, immune not only from political pressure on rates, which is legitimate, but also from standard legal and fiscal oversight, which is not. MSM and the death of the 4th estate •Much of legacy media has adopted Powell's framing almost verbatim: “unprecedented attack on independence,” “monetary policy under assault,” while relegating the core factual dispute,ignored outreach, cost overruns, accuracy of testimony, to secondary status. Powell and the central banking crowd are behaving in a way that is frankly odd: they stonewall basic oversight, scream “independence” the moment anyone reaches for legal tools, and act as though they stand above the law—while a compliant MSM gladly carries their narrative, proof the fourth estate has checked out. All of this does not meet the smell test. Is the Fed above the US Constitution? Why did Powell go public and choose the framing that he did? Why did MSM and so called objective pundits not do any objective analysis. Smells like elements of a Russia Russia Russia hoax strategy to me. https://twitter.com/MetaLawMan/status/2010816276508082343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2010816276508082343%7Ctwgr%5E6585e9ff019ea8191354a3bf06c918cdfd10f00c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fjoehoft.com%2Fcorrupt-fed-head-jerome-powell-added-trillions-in-unnecessary-us-debt%2F   service of a subpoena on the Fed is not a threat to indict him. Subpoenas are investigative tools. It's possible that the government separately advised Powell that he was a “target” of the investigation, but he didn't say that. 3. Nowhere in the statement does Powell say his testimony to Congress about the Fed construction project was truthful and accurate. https://twitter.com/USAttyPirro/status/2010886969518170452?s=20  Powell's mouth, no one else's. None of this would have happened if they had just responded to our outreach. This office makes decisions based on the merits, nothing more and nothing less. We agree with the chairman of the Federal Reserve that no one is above the law, and that is why we expect his full cooperation. Political/Rights https://twitter.com/DailyCaller/status/2011107269585616922?s=20 https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2011108530842108290?s=20 https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2010742739562901678?s=20   Procedure is same used in any location, such as hospital etc. https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2011067479603257616?s=20 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2011085032606102012?s=20  American law and the accompanying reduction in crime. However, there are a few certain locations where law enforcement refuses to assist in law enforcement, and the local politicians and a base of Marxist-organized civilians actively oppose (sometimes violently) ICE’s lawful operations. It’s those latter locations, few in number but outsized in media reporting–all run by Democrats–that give a false impression as to how much Americans appreciate getting what they voted for. https://twitter.com/KCPayTreeIt/status/2010475982038147336?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2010965644867485898?s=20   Tehran, according to the Wall Street Journal https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2011029585161568307?s=20 lowballing. In 2019 they said 230 died, Reuters reported 1,500. Iran International estimated 2,000+ last week based on hospital reports and morgue footage. Now the regime’s confirming it. But they’re framing it as “terrorists killed these people” not “we shot 2,000 protesters.” That’s the setup for mass trials and executions. 2,000 dead in 2 weeks. That’s 140+ per day. During a communications blackout. In a country claiming it has “total control.” Source: Reuters, Iranian official https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/2011018647255322754?s=20   a coordinated blackout aimed not only at security control but at concealing the truth, reflected in internet cuts, crippled communications, media shutdowns, and the intimidation of journalists and witnesses. Publication was delayed until the evidence converged. The assessment is based on a multi-stage review of information from a source close to the Supreme National Security Council; two sources in the presidential office; accounts from several sources within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Mashhad, Kermanshah and Isfahan; testimonies from eyewitnesses and families of those killed; field reports; data linked to medical centers; and information provided by doctors and nurses in multiple cities.  Trump administration designates 3 Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations   The Trump administration labeled three Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist organizations on Tuesday, imposing sanctions on them and their members. The Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood pose a risk to the United States and American interests, according to the Treasury and State departments. “These designations reflect the opening actions of an ongoing, sustained effort to thwart Muslim Brotherhood chapters' violence and destabilization wherever it occurs,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. “The United States will use all available tools to deprive these Muslim Brotherhood chapters of the resources to engage in or support terrorism.” The Jordanian and Egyptian branches were designated by the Treasury as specifically designated global terrorists for providing support to Hamas. The Lebanese branch was labeled a foreign terrorist organization, which is the most severe, meaning it is a criminal offense to provide material support to the group. Source;  wsbt.com  Rubio Designates Egyptian, Jordanian and Lebanese Chapters of Muslim Brotherhood as Foreign Terrorist Organizations Keep in mind the Muslim Brotherhood is the fabric on the umbrella of political Islam. Each faction represents and individual spline on the umbrella construct, but the Muslim Brotherhood overall is a political extremist system for various levels of authentic Islam. The regional chapters that really matter, the difficult ones to navigate will be in Qatar, Syria and especially the Turkish factions. These are more politically connected to the home government interests. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com 1237 Apr 22, 2018 1:31:31 AM EDT Q !xowAT4Z3VQ ID: 3e4934 No. 1141069  “The process of settlement is a ‘Civilization-Jihadist Process' with all the word means. The Ikhwan [MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers…” https://clarionproject.org/muslim_brotherhood_explanatory_memorandum/ Q 3881 Q !!Hs1Jq13jV6 ID: b03e04 No.8238822 Feb 24 2020 20:36:43 (EST) EMHyS2xXkAA8JrB.png https://twitter.com/cain_nate/status/1231066589996318720 Listen carefully. Think: re: why [no] arrests (justice) yet? What if (almost) every critical position [sr] within the US GOV apparatus was infiltrated? WHAT MUST BE DONE FIRST? THE SWAMP RUNS DEEP. +Sleepers Backgrounds are important. Muslim Brotherhood List of ‘in the news now [names]‘ w/ known ties to Islam? THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 4-YEAR ELECTION. [assumptions correct – package well rec [known]] Q https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2010902536757162398?s=20 765 Feb 15, 2018 1:08:41 AM EST Q !UW.yye1fxo ID: 276796 No. 382161  WATCH THE WATER. Q War/Peace Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2010746570853990773?s=20 https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2010419447987937370?s=20 Antifa TikTok Agitator Urges Armed Leftist Militias to ‘Fight' ICE Agents Radical TikTok agitator Danesh Noshirvan has crossed a dangerous line. The Antifa-aligned mega influencer is now openly calling for organized, armed left-wing militias to confront ICE agents and federal law enforcement in America's largest cities. Danesh Noshirvan is directly linked to Scott Dworkin, founder of the Democratic Coalition Against Donald Trump. According to reports, Dworkin and even foreign interests bankroll Noshirvan's activities. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2010988104853659986?s=20 https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2010833162151346316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2010833162151346316%7Ctwgr%5Ec535903544267d9392f4466181097498d09593a1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2026%2F01%2Fnew-minnesota-ag-keith-ellison-minneapolis-mayor-jacob%2F   should be in JAIL. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Says There Are “DISTURBING TAPES” of Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Taking Money to Stop Investigations Into Somali Fraud   the U.S. Treasury Secretary confirmed that federal authorities are aggressively “following the money” amid explosive fraud investigations tied to Minnesota's sprawling Somali-linked financial networks. According to Bessent, the Treasury Department has launched multiple enforcement actions focused on suspicious financial flows between Minnesota residents and businesses and overseas destinations, including East Africa, as the federal government intensifies its immigration and fraud crackdown in the state. But the real bombshell dropped during an interview with Blaze: Scott Bessent:“It's hard to follow the money. There are evidently some disturbing tapes of AG Ellison in meetings with people who donated to him—calling for political favors to stop the investigations. We'll see. I don't want to get out ahead of the investigation. It's going to be very methodical. But I can guarantee you—when the bear trap snaps, we're going to get these folks. We're going to follow the money, whether it's here in Minneapolis and St. Paul or over in East Africa. There are tons of luxury properties and cars that have been bought over there.” WATCH: Source: thegatewaypundit.com    Countries who illegally entered the USA though Sleepy Joe Biden's HORRIBLE Open Border's Policy. Every place we go, crime comes down. In Chicago, despite a weak and incompetent Governor and Mayor fighting us all the way, a big improvement was made. Thousands of Criminals were removed! Minnesota Democrats love the unrest that anarchists and professional agitators are causing because it gets the spotlight off of the 19 Billion Dollars that was stolen by really bad and deranged people. FEAR NOT, GREAT PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THE DAY OF RECKONING & RETRIBUTION IS COMING! Minnesota’s total population as of July 1, 2024, is estimated at 5,793,151.  Approximately 8% of the state’s population is foreign-born, meaning about 463,452 individuals, while 92% (around 5,329,699) are native-born (U.S.-born). Minnesota is home to the largest Somali-American population in the United States, with people of Somali descent making up a notable ethnic group.  Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) for 2024 put the number of individuals of Somali descent in Minnesota at around 107,000 to 108,000, representing about 1.85% of the state’s total population.  (Note: Some sources provide slightly varying figures, such as 76,000 as a lower estimate, but the ACS data consistently points to the higher range. )Breakdown Within the Somali Population in MinnesotaThe Somali community in Minnesota includes both U.S.-born individuals and foreign-born immigrants or refugees. Here’s a detailed split based on nativity and citizenship status:  https://twitter.com/DataRepublican/status/1919002207896174765?s=20  or his NGOs appeared in the Journal of Democracy. It’s the flagship journal of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the same organization featured prominently in that widely circulated “Uniparty NGO” network diagrams below. NED is a U.S. government-funded outfit. It includes currently sitting members of Congress on its board… from both parties, not just former officials. Soros's involvement is deep. He has co-chaired NED conferences abroad and his Open Society NGOs regularly partner with NED operations, especially in countries undergoing “transitions” (read: regime change or soft power penetration). Together, Soros and US-backed NGOs have shaped funding pipelines, media narratives, and even foreign electoral strategies. So when people ask, “Why isn't Soros banned?” … they need to understand: he’s not an outsider. He’s part of our government. The Uniparty protects and partners with him, because he helps carry out a shared foreign policy vision… the same one that labels President Trump as a threat to democracy. NED members include:    Victoria Nuland – Director of the National Endowment for Democracy; Acting United States Deputy Secretary of State under Biden (served in both parties).   Karen Bass – Vice Chair of the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Representative and current Mayor of Los Angeles (Democrat).    Todd Young – Honorary at the National Endowment for Democracy; U.S. Senator from Indiana (Republican).    Elise Stefanik – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; U.S. Representative from New York and House GOP Conference Chair (Republican).   Mel Martinez – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Senator from Florida (Republican).   Steve Biegun – Director at the National Endowment for Democracy; former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (Republican).    Todd Young – Honorary at the National Endowment for Democracy; US Senator from Indiana (Republican). https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2011165232815882294?s=20 Just In: Bill and Hillary Clinton Refuse To Testify in Front of House Oversight Committee, Daring Chairman Comer To Hold Them in Contempt of Congress After months of dispute against House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, Bill and Hillary Clinton have today (13) REFUSED to testify in the House's Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This escalates the battle with Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and the former U.S. President and Secretary of State are effectively daring him to hold them in contempt of Congress. The New York Times reported: Source: thegatewaypundit.com President Trump's Plan Lefty DOJ Lawyers Rage-Quit After Harmeet Dhillon Blocks ICE Witch Hunt A group of lawyers in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) have reportedly resigned after Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon declined to investigate the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer involved in last week’s shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group had apparently pushed Dhillon to let a DOJ delegation fly to Minneapolis to investigate the January 7 shooting death of far-left agitator Renee Nicole Good, who was shot after she used her two-ton Honda Pilot as a weapon against the officer. Despite pressure from the lefty lawyers – described as “career prosecutors” – to initiate a witch hunt against the officer, Dhillon put a kibosh on their plans. They were apparently informed of the decision not to move forward with an investigation of the ICE agent last Friday.  After being told “no,” a group of “top leaders” in the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division “have left their jobs to register their frustration with the department.” Shock, horror. Sounds like the DOJ is well rid of this cabal, and these departures could be part of a trend of mass resignations amongst the old guard. This, of course, also saves Dhillon the trouble of having to draw up their pink slips.  Source: redstate.com  https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2010791586980933826?s=20   later. This is a system built for abuse by design https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2010886531838595278?s=20 https://twitter.com/ElectionWiz/status/2010777023673999531?s=20 https://twitter.com/USDOL/status/2010771852696617401?s=20 (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

What impact new data centers could have on Wisconsin's utility landscape and infrastructure. Changes to the Milwaukee County Transit bus operations. We speak with the Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate.

Get my new book: https://bronsonequity.com/fireyourselfDownload my new special report - How to Use Inflation to Your Advantage - www.bronsonequity.com/inflationIn this episode of the Mailbox Money Show, Bronson uncovers the high-reward world of land development with Brandon Cobb. They break down the two-phase process: land entitlement (securing approvals for forced appreciation) and horizontal development (infrastructure like roads and utilities for ready-to-build lots). Brandon reveals how to mitigate risks via pre-sold contracts with national builders (e.g., Lennar, D.R. Horton), structure deals with 18% preferred returns and 65% LTC debt, and capitalize on current market freezes. From Tennessee's cyclical opportunities to biohacking for peak performance (cold plunges, green smoothies, sleep optimization), discover why development offers multiple exits and legacy-building potential—perfect for diversifying beyond multifamily amid rising rates.Brandon Cobb is the CEO of HBG Capital, a real estate development and investment firm specializing in single-family residential projects. With a background in homebuilding, he now focuses on land entitlement and horizontal development, creating shovel-ready lots for major builders.00:42 - Guest Intro: Brandon Cobb01:41 - Real Estate Cycles: Sector Shifts for Optimal Returns02:29 - Phase 1: Land Entitlement for Forced Appreciation03:11 - Phase 2: Horizontal Development (Roads & Utilities)03:36 - Niche: Single-Family Lots for Builders Like Lennar04:54 - Current Focus: Pre-Sold Entitlements in Slow Markets05:38 - Structure: 18% Pref Return, 100% Equity Plays07:16 - Risk Mitigation: Builder Deposits & Double Closes09:04 - Financing: 65% LTC Debt, Builder Funds as Equity10:45 - Land Banking: Hold for Surrounding Development Gains14:26 - Timelines: 15 Months Entitlement, 1-Year Development15:36 - Market Evolution: Post-2022 Freeze to Builder Opportunities19:57 - Advantages: 3 Exits, Low Saturation in Development21:10 - Biohacking: Wealth for Full Life Enjoyment21:33 - Green Smoothies: Organic Daily Digestion Boost22:48 - Cold Plunge: Fog Buster & Recovery Enhancer24:37 - Sleep Optimization: Whoop Tracking for Foundation27:12 - Blood Tests + ChatGPT: Personalized Performance Tweaks29:36 - ResourcesCONNECT WITH THE GUESTLand Development 101: learnlanddevelopment.comJoin the Waitlist: hbgcapital.net/waitlistWebsite and E-book: hbgcapital.net#LandDevelopment#RealEstateEntitlement#HorizontalConstruction#Biohacking#ForcedAppreciation#InvestorRiskMitigation#SleepOptimization

Markets pulled back modestly Wednesday after reaching an intraday all-time high, as afternoon selling trimmed gains. While overall market trends remain constructive and prices are well above key moving averages, leadership is beginning to shift beneath the surface. Healthcare—one of the most oversold sectors back in September—has now rotated into the most overbought territory, with standout strength from names like Google and Eli Lilly. Meanwhile, traditionally defensive areas such as Staples, Utilities, and Real Estate are now among the most oversold sectors, suggesting potential opportunities if volatility picks up. Looking ahead, markets may face short-term catalysts from the Bloomberg Commodity Index rebalancing, which could introduce volatility within commodity-related assets. The first employment report of the new year arrives tomorrow, followed by the start of earnings season next week—both of which could move markets more meaningfully while volatility remains suppressed. Given elevated positioning and sensitivity to incoming data, we continue to advise caution with allocations as these key reports are released. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zc2wXLn5o&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 --- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketUpdate #SectorRotation #StockMarketNews #EconomicData #MarketVolatility

Jan. 8, 2026 - Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, a Hudson Valley Democrat, makes the case for a state takeover of an investor-owned utility with a suspect record in the Hudson Valley. We explore what the new entity would look like it and why she thinks drastic changes are necessary.

Our Thematic and Equity Strategist Michelle Weaver and Power, Utilities, and Clean Tech Analyst David Arcaro discuss how investments in AI data centers are affecting electricity bills for U.S. consumers.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michelle Weaver: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Michelle Weaver, Morgan Stanley's U.S. Thematic and Equity Strategist.David Arcaro: And I'm Dave Arcaro, U.S. Power, Utilities, and Clean Tech Analyst.Michelle Weaver: Today, a hot topic. Are data centers' raising your electricity bills?It's Tuesday, December 23rd at 10am in New York.Most of us have probably noticed our electricity bills have been creeping up. And it's putting pressure on U.S. consumers, especially with higher prices and paychecks not keeping pace. More and more people are pointing to data centers as the reason behind these rising costs, but the story isn't that simple.Regional differences, shifting policies and local utility responses are all at play here. Dave, there's no doubt that data centers are becoming a much bigger part of the story when it comes to U.S. electricity demand. For listeners who might not follow these numbers every day, could you break down how data centers' share of overall electricity use is expected to grow over the next 10 years? And what does that mean for the grid and for the average consumer?David Arcaro: Definitely they're becoming much bigger, much more important and more impactful across the industry in a big way. Data centers were 6 percent of total electricity consumption in the U.S. last year. We're actually forecasting that to triple to 18 percent by 2030, and then hit 20 percent in the early 2030s. So very strong growth, and increasing proportion of the overall utility, electricity use.In aggregate, this is reflecting about 150 gigawatts of new data centers by 2030. Just a very large amount. And this is going to cause a major strain on the electric grid and is going to require substantial build out and upgrading of the transmission system along with construction of new power generation – like gas plants and large-scale renewables, wind, solar, and battery storage across the entire U.S.And generally, when we see utilities investing in additional infrastructure, they need to get that cost recovered. We would typically expect that to lead to higher electric rates for consumers. That's the overall pressure that we're facing right now on the system, from all these data centers coming in.We've got these substantial infrastructure needs. That means utilities will need to charge higher prices to consumers to cover the cost of those investments.Michelle Weaver: What are the main challenges utilities companies face in meeting this rising demand from data centers?David Arcaro: There are a number of challenges. If I were to pick a few of the biggest ones that I see, I think managing affordability is one of the biggest challenges the industry faces right now, because this overall data center growth is absolutely a shock to their business, and it needs to be managed carefully given the political and regulatory challenges that can arise when customer bills are getting are escalating faster than expected. The utility industry faces scrutiny and constant attention from a political and regulatory standpoint, so it's a balance that has to be very carefully managed. There are also reliability challenges that are important.Utilities have to keep the lights on, you know, that's priority number one. The demand for electricity is growing much faster than the supply of new generation that we're seeing; new power plants just aren't being built fast enough. New transmission assets are not being built, as quickly as the data centers are coming on. So, in many areas we're seeing that leads to essentially less of a buffer, and more risk of outages during periods of extreme weather.Michelle Weaver: And you mentioned, companies are thinking about how can they insulate consumers. Can you take us through some of the specifics of what these utility companies are doing? And what regulators are doing to respond, to protect existing customers from rate increases driven by data centers?David Arcaro: Definitely. The industry is getting creative and trying to be proactive in addressing this issue. Many utilities, we're seeing them isolate data centers and charge them higher electric rates, specifically for those data center customers to try to cover all of the grid costs that are attributable to the data center's needs.A couple examples. In Indiana, we're seeing that there's a utility there who's building new power plants, specifically for a very large data center that's coming into the state and they're ring fencing it. They're only charging the data center itself for those costs of the power plants. In Georgia, a utility there is charging a higher rate for the data centers that are coming in to the Atlanta area – such that it actually more than covers the costs and compensates other consumers in the form of bill credits or even bill reductions as those data centers come on.Similarly, then, in Pennsylvania, there's a utility that has excess transmission infrastructure than the state's [infrastructure]. They're better able to absorb data center activity. They're able to lower customer bills as the data centers come on, as they spread their costs over a larger customer base in that case. So, this isn't universal though. There are some areas around the country where there are costs related to data center growth that get socialized across all consumers.One approach I also wanted to mention that we're seeing data centers pursue more and more actively is to power themselves. Essentially bring their own power, and they're using gas turbines, engines, and fuel cells that they're deploying right on site. This is actually in many cases faster than connecting to the grid, but it also avoids any consumer impact. Companies like Solaris Energy and Bloom Energy are two providers of that type of solution. And we're also seeing at a broader industry level. Another approach is the idea of data centers being flexible or turning off and not consuming power from the grid at certain times when the grid is facing stress, in an extreme weather scenario in the winter or summer. And that idea is gaining traction as well. So, we think the industry is looking for approaches that could ease the pressure on the system and on reliability, manage the affordability issues while continuing to enable and build data centers.Michelle Weaver: You mentioned what a few different states are doing on this front. But data centers are not evenly distributed through states or evenly distributed across regions. Are there regional differences in how data center growth is impacting electricity prices?David Arcaro: There are a couple of key differences that we're seeing around the country. Some areas just aren't getting that many data centers, you know, so I'd point out the northeast – in New England, in New York, we're just not seeing that much data center growth. So, it's less of an issue, the impact of data center power demand impacting customer bills in those areas. And then in some regions around the country, the utility structure is important to be aware of. There are some regions where the price of electricity fluctuates based on the supply and demand of power, rather than being directly set and controlled by a regulator. In those markets, data centers can actually more directly impact the price of electricity and there just isn't an easy way in that case to ring fence them and protect consumers from the impact of price increases.So that's where we think unique challenges can arise. And over time, we would expect to see the most meaningful rate impacts to consumers in those areas specifically. And examples would be New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio. Those are a couple of the states where we're seeing those more volatile and directly impacted prices.So, as we look at utilities, we think the state exposure is going to be more and more important. And so, a few companies like NextEra, Sempra and AEP are a few utilities that are in states that have less affordability concerns and less direct exposure to rate impacts from data centers. And then several power companies like Vistra and Talen have more of their power plants that are in states that have excess infrastructure; and as a result, potentially less affordability concerns.So, clearly the energy sector is facing real challenges and changes. So, Michelle, how are rising electricity bills actually affecting U.S. households?Michelle Weaver: It's putting even more pressure on a consumer that's already being stretched thin by multiple years of inflation and elevated price levels, and electricity is a really different type of good. It's very different from gasoline or other consumer goods or staples – in that it's an essential good. You need to have it. And it's a network service that households are structurally locked into. Unlike gas where you could adjust your trip frequency or take a different type of transport, there really aren't good substitutes for electricity.And so this dynamic weighs on consumers. They have to continue paying these bills, and it weighs particularly heavily on lower income consumers where utility bills make up a much larger portion of their household budget.So, it crowds out some of that other potential spending.David Arcaro: That makes a lot of sense. It's an important expense to consider in terms of the impact on consumers. And, you know, as a result, are consumers blaming data center electricity demand for this rise that we're seeing in bills or are they pushing back?Michelle Weaver: Yeah. Data center development is quickly becoming a NIMBY or “not in my backyard” issue with communities pushing back and even getting projects canceled. Companies really need to find ways to address local concerns about environmental and water related externalities. And message that they're able to insulate consumers, or do something to mitigate these potentially higher electricity bills.A recent poll of around 2200 voters found that just over half of respondents attribute overall electricity price increases to AI data centers, at least somewhat. While around another third, consider them very responsible. And these responses are consistent across all regions and across political affiliations. And I think this consistency across regions is really interesting. As we're talking about before, data centers are not impacting bills in every region. But consumers are still blaming them and still attributing bill increases there.It's clear that both the energy sector and U.S. consumers are navigating a complex landscape with data center growth at the center of the conversation. As policy responses evolve and the U.S. midterm elections approach, this issue is only going to gain more attention. And we'll be sure to bring you the latest. Dave, thanks for taking the time to talk.David Arcaro: Great speaking with you, Michelle.Michelle Weaver: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.