In this Industry Insights episode, Alisha Pinto, senior energy industry analyst at CFC, and Chris Whittle, energy and data analyst at CFC, explore the contents of CFC’s newly released issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability." Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "Pinto, Whittle Explore New CFC Issue Brief."
• Download CFC's issue brief, "Considerations of a Changing Grid: How Electric Cooperatives Are Ensuring Reliability."
• Listen to the June 15 CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Reliability in a Rapidly Changing Economy."
• Read the CFC Solutions Cooperative News article, "Hoosier Energy Builds Flexible Power Portfolio."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

Nate Melby, vice president and chief information officer at Dairyland Power Cooperative in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, speaks with CFC's Brian Sloboda about how electric cooperatives can identify high-value opportunities and begin their own artificial intelligence journey. Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "How AI Is Delivering Real Value for Electric Cooperatives."
• Listen to the CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Keeping It Human: AI and the Future of Member Service."
• Read the CFC Financial Feature, "Uncovering the Latest Constraint in the AI Economy."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Director, Alliances and Research Amy LaVigna outlines practical AI uses for cooperatives with guardrails, showing how leadership can balance innovation with oversight. Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "AI Use Rises as Co-ops Manage Risk, Governance, Oversight."
• Listen to the CFC Solutions Cast podcast episode, "Keeping It Human: AI and the Future of Member Service."
• Read the CFC Financial Feature, "Uncovering the Latest Constraint in the AI Economy."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Senior Energy Industry Analyst Alisha Pinto examines how utilities are using microgrids to rethink resilience, prioritizing outcomes like uptime, faster recovery and continuity over one-time asset investments. Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "Microgrids Shift Resilience from Assets to Outcomes."
• Read the Solutions article, "Wired for Resilience: Microgrids Solve Reliability Issues."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Director of Utility Research & Policy Brian Sloboda shares what electric cooperatives can do to protect utility infrastructure and how they should focus their physical security efforts. Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "Why Deterrence, Resilience Matter in Physical Security."
• Read the Solutions article, "Mid-Year Trends Update: Physical Security."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Senior Energy Industry Analyst Alisha Pinto examines how wildfires are becoming not just a serious safety and operational risk for electric cooperatives, but also a financial threat and governance issue that insurance companies and credit rating agencies are watching closely. Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "Wildfire Mitigation Is Now a Financial, Governance Issue"
• Read the Solutions article, "Missoula EC Responds to Rising Wildfire Risk"
• Read the Solutions article, "Co-ops Harness the Power of Data for Wildfire Protection"

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Energy and Data Analyst Chris Whittle takes a closer look at how a shift in federal policy toward reliability and phase-out of key tax incentives is shaping power supply dynamics and what this means for electric cooperatives. 

Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "What Co-ops Should Know About Changing Power Supply Dynamics"
• Read the Solutions article, "As Load Growth Accelerates, Utilities Tap Private Capital"
• Read the Solutions article, "Power Supply Trends To Watch in 2026: Renewables, Coal" 

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

SECO Energy CEO Curtis Wynn discusses how innovation in electric cooperatives should be tied to the specific challenges in a co-op’s environment, guided by long-term strategy rather than the status quo.

Watch the video of this episode, "Cooperative Innovation ‘Essential’ in Today’s Environment."

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].
Learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Director, Utility Research & Policy Brian Sloboda offers a pragmatic outlook on virtual power plants over the short-term and their implications for electric cooperatives.

Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "Virtual Power Plants: Strategic Opportunity, Not Strategic Imperative"
• Read the Solutions article, "Exploring Virtual Power Plants: Key Considerations for Leaders."
• Download CFC's issue brief, "Co-ops See Movement Toward Virtual Power Plants." 

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.

CFC Director of Utility Research & Policy Brian Sloboda looks at how artificial intelligence (AI) use policies can help electric cooperatives get the most benefit from using AI while keeping human beings firmly in control.

Related content:

• Watch the video of this episode, "AI Use Policies Key To Leveraging Its Potential."
• Read the Solutions article, "Turning AI Into Member Value."
• Download CFC's issue brief, "Powering the AI Boom: What Data Center Growth Means for Electric Cooperatives." 

For questions and requests about industry research topics, please contact [email protected].

CFC members can learn more about the latest industry and technology trends by visiting nrucfc.coop/Solutions.