Energy Solutions: A Podcast From EPSA
Electric Power Supply Association
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America runs on reliable, affordable electricity - but the demands on our grid are changing. From natural gas to renewable power, electric vehicles and the competitive power markets, what are the energy solutions to cultivate cleaner air, new technology and more innovative and reliable power generation - at the least cost? Experts and voices from throughout the electric industry and government join the Electric Power Supply Association to discuss emerging trends, current issues, energy customer needs, and new projects. Discover how competition unlocks solutions to build the grid of the future.
Available episodes
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Nov 21, 2023
"We Have to Be Vigilant” - Top Energy Regulator Talks Electric Reliability
Winter is coming. Is America’s power grid ready? That’s top of mind for Chairman Willie Phillips, who heads the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In this episode, he addresses infrastructure development and streamlining to meet growing energy demand, making sure the power system can weather extreme heat and cold, and the importance of affordability and environmental justice. But as you’ll hear, reliability remains the top priority.
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Oct 18, 2023
What’s Next for Wyoming? How the top Coal Producer Is Evolving.
Wyoming is the top coal-producing state in the U.S. But like much of the country, the state is transitioning to new sources of energy. This comes as the region faces reliability challenges from heat, drought, and other factors. How are Wyoming and other Western states balancing the growth of lower carbon power sources with the need for a reliable grid and continued economic growth? The University of Wyoming’s Kara Fornstrom, formerly Director of State Regulatory Policy for the Southwest Power Pool and Chair of the Wyoming Public Service Commission, weighs in.
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Sep 19, 2023
Power Grid in Peril? A Conversation With WSJ Reporter Katherine Blunt
From wildfires to winter storms to cyber and physical attacks, the power system is under greater stress than ever – all while under pressure to transition rapidly to new sources of electricity. In this episode, Todd speaks with Katherine Blunt, reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of California Burning, a look at PG&E operations and the fallout from 2017 and 2018’s tragic wildfires. Katherine discusses the state of America’s changing electric grid and mounting reliability concerns – and the power we rely on is impacted by efforts to reduce emissions, extreme weather and climate change, and the business decisions utilities and power companies make.
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Aug 28, 2023
Bringing Business to the Buckeye State
How did Ohio go from the 41st to the 7th best state for business in the nation? Among other factors, a foundation of reliable and cost-effective energy drove economic growth and helped attract businesses and employers to invest in the Buckeye State. Meanwhile, emissions have dropped while competitive energy markets have grown. In this episode, Dana Saucier of Jobs Ohio shares how energy keeps Ohio’s economic engine running.
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Jul 19, 2023
Keeping the Lights On in the Empire State: Commissioner Diane Burman
New York has ambitious climate goals. But its electric grid operator has also recently signaled reliability warnings as power plants are driven into retirement. Diane Burman has served on the New York State Public Service Commission for nearly ten years. She joined Energy Solutions to talk about the current energy policy landscape in New York, her priorities as a regulator, and what other policymakers can learn from the Empire State.
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Jun 15, 2023
A New Frontier for the Western Electric Grid
The Western states have seen their share of challenges in recent years when it comes to electric reliability – with rolling blackouts in California, extreme drought and wildfires, and political differences across a broad geographic expanse. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation included the region on its watch list for areas that could experience electric shortages this summer should temperatures spike. We check in with Scott Miller, Executive Director of the Western Power Trading Forum, to hear what’s unique about America’s frontier, what’s ahead this summer for the region’s power grid, and how efforts to enhance reliability, cost savings, and emissions reductions by expanding organized power markets are progressing.
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May 23, 2023
The Complex World of Power Markets ft. Economist Lynne Kiesling
As the world rapidly changes and new challenges emerge, many are questioning the best way to continue providing safe, reliable, cost-effective, and cleaner power. For some, that means reforming electric power markets. For others, it could mean doing away with competition entirely. In this episode, Lynne Kiesling, an economist and expert on electric competition unpacks the complex world of power markets, their benefits as compared to a vertically integrated model, what critics get wrong, and what’s on the horizon for new energy solutions.
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May 2, 2023
Competitive Power Summit 2023: Calpine’s Thad Hill on the Need for Reliable Power
How is a major natural gas power provider preparing for a decarbonized future while working to protect against reliability challenges like those faced during Winter Storms Uri and Elliott? This month, we’re rolling out audio from EPSA’s 2023 Competitive Power Summit in a special series. In this episode, hear a fireside chat with Calpine President and CEO Thad Hill and EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler. Calpine owns and operates the nation’s largest natural gas power generation fleet, in addition to the world’s largest geothermal power facility, while also building and planning battery storage and carbon capture and sequestration technology. Hill shares lessons from recent extreme weather events, the role for natural gas generation going forward, and needed energy market changes to enhance reliability.
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Apr 19, 2023
Competitive Power Summit: LS Power's Nathan Hanson on Managing a Reliable Grid
What is needed to manage a reliable power grid in today’s current landscape? Nate Hanson, president of power generation at LS Power, says we’re on the tip of doing so effectively – and calls for policies and competitive market constructs to meet rising electric demand, even as his company builds low-and-zero carbon solutions including EV charging and competitive transmission. This month, we’re rolling out audio from EPSA’s 2023 Competitive Power Summit in a special series. In this episode, hear a fireside chat with Hanson and EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.
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Apr 19, 2023
Competitive Power Summit: Shell's Carolyn Comer on Building a Sustainable Energy Future
How is major global energy company Shell preparing for a decarbonized future while meeting reliability needs today? What needs to be considered when it comes to cost, sustainability, emissions, and diversity and inclusion? This month, we’re rolling out audio from EPSA’s 2023 Competitive Power Summit in a special series. In this episode, hear a fireside chat with Shell Energy North America President and SVP of Shell Energy Americas Carolyn Comer and EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler.
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Feb 28, 2023
Defending the Electric Grid: Manny Cancel on Power System Attacks
Cyber and physical attacks on America's power system are at their highest level in at least a decade, posing a risk to reliable electricity. The good news is that all hands are on deck when it comes to preparing for, guarding against, and responding to these threats. We check in with Manny Cancel, who leads the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC), which brings together industry, government, and other stakeholders to safeguard the system and keep the lights on. He shares the latest threat landscape, what the electric sector and government are doing, and what individuals can do to protect not just their own digital property but also the electric grid.
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Feb 1, 2023
Energy Costs, Competition, and Reliable Power: A 2023 Outlook With Vistra Corp.'s Jim Burke
2023 has no shortage of energy challenges, following Winter Storm Elliott's power outages, cyber and physical threats, rising costs, and continued need for innovation. EPSA Chairman and Vistra Corp. President and CEO Jim Burke joins Todd to discuss priorities for the new year, a new Congress and FERC leadership, what’s on tap for new investments, and how competitive power can lead a reliable energy transition.
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Dec 21, 2022
Ep. 21: FERC, NERC, Innovators, and the House of Lords: We Recap 2022's Energy Voices
What top energy policy issues and themes stood out in 2022? We look back at key moments with Energy Solutions podcast guests as they reflect on power grid disturbances, global dynamics and Russia’s war on Ukraine, challenges facing competitive power markets, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission priorities, policy proposals like carbon pricing, and innovative new technologies as we seek to build a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner power system in 2023 and beyond.
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Nov 17, 2022
Innovators: How Gecko-Like Robots Improve Power Reliability
With small gecko-like machines that scale power plant walls, founder of Gecko Robotics Jake Loosararian says technology can help solve the reliability and cost challenges facing the electric grid. He shares how his robots collect useful data to enhance the reliability of critical infrastructure, and how we can encourage American innovation to deliver a reliable and affordable energy transition.
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Oct 21, 2022
Engineering a Reliable Grid
In July, the organization responsible for monitoring the reliability of America’s power system released a stark warning – the grid faces “unprecedented” challenges to its ability to keep the lights on. In this episode, Todd talks with Mark Lauby, senior vice president and chief engineer at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, to understand more about what’s driving reliability concerns and what’s needed to keep the lights on this winter.
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Sep 21, 2022
“We’re Facing a Reliability Crisis” - FERC's Christie on the Changing Electric Grid
America’s power grid was pushed to the brink this summer – making system reliability even more top of mind for one of the nation’s chief energy regulators. Commmissioner Mark Christie, one of five members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, shares why he’s concerned, and what else is on his mind as FERC weighs how to address electricity costs, infrastructure needs, carbon emissions, competitive power markets, and cybersecurity.
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Aug 30, 2022
"We've Got to Have That Baseload" - Rep. Balderson on Congressional Energy Priorities
After the passage of the most expansive energy policy in years through the Inflation Reduction Act, what's next for lawmakers on Capitol Hill when it comes to the nation's power grid? Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson talks with Todd about why power grid reliability is critical, how he forges bipartisan connections to get priorities into legislation, and why industry innovation can deliver energy solutions.
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Jul 27, 2022
How do we ensure reliability and affordability in a just energy transition? From EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit
As policymakers across the country examine how to meet ambitious climate goals, what will ensure grid reliability while reducing emissions efficiently and at the lowest cost? Experts at EPSA's Competitive Power Summit discuss how fostering a just transition means more than providing clean energy - but also managing the disproportionate cost burden being shouldered by those who can least afford it, shoring up reliability and improving our country’s energy resilience.
Featuring ISO New England's Gordon van Welie, E3's Arne Olson, Shell's Jill Davies, Brookfield Renewable US' Stephen Gallagher, and John Moore, director of the Sustainable FERC Project at the NRDC.
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Jun 20, 2022
How Do We Address Reliability Challenges Today and Into the Future? From EPSA’s Competitive Power Summit
In recent weeks, the nation’s electric power supply has been called into question. Expected extreme weather this summer will drive up demand, and power supplies are increasingly coming from intermittent sources that rely on favorable weather conditions to power the grid. During this episode, we highlight speakers at EPSA’s recent Competitive Power Summit and the solutions they would like to see implemented. Speakers include: Jim Robb, North American Electric Reliability Corporation; Manu Asthana, PJM Interconnection; Thad Hill, Calpine; and Devin Hartman, R Street Institute.
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Apr 14, 2022
Can Electricity Markets Meet Growing Demand While Reducing Emissions? With Suedeen Kelly
April is Earth Month. How do we address climate change while keeping power flowing at an affordable cost? We talk to Suedeen Kelly, who served three terms at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, about today's big energy policy questions and how competitive power markets can meet new demand from global conflict between Russia and Ukraine, rising costs and inflation, and the push for cleaner electricity.
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Mar 23, 2022
EPSA's Competitive Power Summit
For more than two decades, competitive electricity markets and independent power generators have unlocked savings for consumers, enhanced reliability, improved our environment and unleashed energy innovation. But key questions must be addressed to ensure that these benefits continue to advance the energy transition.
Next week, EPSA will host a day-long summit at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to discuss critical issues facing competitive power today – and what it means for America’s energy future. In this episode, EPSA staff discuss what attendees can expect and dig into the issues a bit. There's still time to register at www.epsa.org.
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Feb 28, 2022
Pat Wood on the Past, Present and Future of Electric Competition
As former chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission and eventually the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Pat Wood helped found Texas' competitive power market and introduce competition for electric generation across the United States. In this episode, he shares what it took to break up energy monopolies, the hurdles - including the Enron scandal - faced along the way, and how competitive power markets have delivered savings, choice, and technological transformation over nearly three decades.
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Jan 24, 2022
A Global View on Carbon Pricing With Lord Gregory Barker
In this episode, we look at how leaders on the global stage are addressing climate change. Our guest, Lord Gregory Barker is co-chair of the World Bank's Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition as well as executive chair of the En+ Group. He's optimistic that progress is being made on the drive to decarbonize - and that a price on carbon would really move the needle. Plus, his takeaways from COP 26.
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Dec 21, 2021
Conservatives Take On Climate
Energy solutions require both political parties to be part of the conversation. In this episode, we talk with Utah Representative John Curtis, a Republican who founded the Conservative Climate Caucus. He shares what approaches to reduce emissions fit a conservative framework, and what's needed to forge consensus - both at home and on a global scale.
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Nov 23, 2021
What's Up With Winter Energy Prices?
As winter approaches, electricity suppliers are working hard to ensure reliable and affordable power is on hand when customers need it. It’s a full team effort, relying on all parts of the energy production, generation and delivery chain. We check in with the Natural Gas Supply Association for the outlook on natural gas supply and prices, which are projected to be slightly higher this year - as well as how to enhance reliable electric service nationwide as we add more clean generation to the grid.
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Oct 28, 2021
Can RTOs Deliver the Energy Transition?
In many parts of the country, regional transmission organizations and independent system operators – RTOs and ISOs – govern the flow of electricity. Many experts say RTOs and ISOs are the foundation to get to where we want to go on climate, cost and energy security. But this episode's guest, *Vince Duane*, says RTOs may no longer be able to meet today's complex energy challenges. We dig in on what's needed to continue the progress these competitive models have enabled.
*Guest:* Vince Duane, principal, Copper Monarch, LLC and former senior vice president and general counsel, PJM Interconnection
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Sep 28, 2021
The Electricity Market Referee on How to Get a Stronger, Cleaner, Cheaper Grid
Americans want reliable, affordable and cleaner electricity. This episode's guest, Dr. Joe Bowring, says if working properly, competitive markets will deliver those goals – but there are a lot of challenges from the pressure to subsidize power plants and new policy goals. He’s the referee – or independent market monitor – for PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest grid operator and competitive wholesale electricity market. We discuss why subsidies to nuclear plants like those passed in Illinois drive up costs and harm market efficiency, the true impact of the Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) on energy resources in PJM, and how we can better design markets to deliver emissions reductions while keeping costs low and the lights on.
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Aug 18, 2021
Climate Policy Conservatives Can Love
Can conservatives learn to love climate policy? As more and more Republicans understand the need to reduce emissions, Alex Flint talks to industry and walks the halls of Capitol Hill to find and share ideas that can accelerate decarbonization – without sending America over the fiscal cliff. Hear what matters to conservatives when it comes to improving our environment, economy and energy security – and why competitive market-based solutions like a carbon price will accelerate the energy transition and could gain elusive bipartisan agreement.
*Guest:*
*Alex Flint, *executive director, Alliance for Market Solutions
*Host:*
*Todd Snitchler, *president and CEO, Electric Power Supply Association
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Jul 20, 2021
When the Lights Go Out, It's a Bad Day for Everyone
With February's Winter Storm Uri power outages in Texas, calls for energy conservation in California, and even threats to system reliability in New England, a changing electric grid, cyber threats and extreme weather events bring new challenges for keeping the lights on and America powered up. Jim Robb, president and CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation joins Energy Solutions to share why the power system is under stress – and why it's time to recommit to reliability as the energy landscape evolves.
Hosted by Todd Snitchler, president and CEO, Electric Power Supply Association
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Jun 24, 2021
American Business Puts Its Buying Power Behind Affordable Clean Energy
Google, Amazon and Disney are some of America’s largest companies and innovators. They are also some of the largest buyers and users of electricity. That means finding affordable, reliable and cleaner energy is essential to their business success. And they all believe that competitive power markets will help them point their buying power at reducing carbon emissions and putting more renewable energy on the grid. Miranda Ballentine, head of the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, joins Energy Solutions to explain why these iconic brands are speaking up about power markets – and what they need to buy more clean energy.
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May 20, 2021
Toward Climate Policy Consensus
How can climate policy support reliable, affordable energy, American business and continued economic growth? New proposals from major U.S. energy and business trade groups show momentum for solutions that balance trade-offs by pointing market competition at decarbonization.
In this episode, we talk with officials from the *American Petroleum Institute* and the *U.S. Chamber of Commerce* to explore what’s driving their growing climate focus and the possibilities ahead.
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Apr 27, 2021
How Fast Can We Build a Cleaner Electric Grid?
The Biden Administration has announced new carbon emissions targets. But what will it take to decarbonize power generation - and the rest of the economy - and how fast can we get there without breaking the bank or the electric grid?
Is a 100% renewable power system possible and what would it cost? How do we encourage the innovation needed to build the grid of the future?
E3's Arne Olson shares research on the costs and benefits of various clean energy policy approaches such as carbon pricing or a clean energy standard. Then, you'll hear how the energy development firm Competitive Power Ventures is planning to build and invest in lower-carbon resources while providing cost-effective reliable electricity today.
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Mar 24, 2021
Powering Through the Pandemic
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