Energy Solutions: A Podcast From EPSA

What will it take to build a more reliable, affordable, and flexible electricity system across the American West? 

Electricity demand is growing, drought and extreme weather are creating new reliability challenges, and states across the region are navigating different energy policies and resource mixes. At the same time, the West is taking a different approach to regional electricity markets than other parts of the country. 

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Kathleen Staks, Executive Director of Western Freedom, to discuss the evolution of Western electricity markets and what greater regional coordination could mean for consumers, businesses, and the grid. 

Todd and Kathleen explore how the Western Energy Imbalance Market and Extended Day-Ahead Market are changing the way electricity is coordinated across the region, the effort to create an independent governance structure “built by the West, for the West,” and why larger market footprints can improve reliability, make better use of existing resources, and create opportunities for investment.  

They also discuss how growing demand from data centers, manufacturing, electrification, and population growth is adding urgency – and why the West is taking an incremental approach to change. 

As Kathleen explains, markets aren’t the solution to every challenge facing the grid. But by building trust, expanding coordination, and connecting more resources across the region, they can be an important tool for meeting growing electricity needs while keeping reliability and affordability in focus.  

Topics include: 

• The evolution of Western electricity markets and what “energy freedom” means for the West 
• Drought, hydropower constraints, wildfire, and extreme weather impacts on grid reliability 
• Growing electricity demand from data centers and other large loads 
• How larger regional markets can strengthen reliability, improve efficiency, and support investment and innovation 
• The Western Energy Imbalance Market, Extended Day-Ahead Market, the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative, and the push for independent regional governance 
• Building bipartisan support and stakeholder trust – and what’s next for the Western electricity system 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Kathleen Staks, Executive Director, Western Freedom

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What will it take to build the energy infrastructure America needs to stay competitive?  

Power demand is outpacing supply throughout the U.S. Competitive power suppliers have billions in private capital ready to invest and tens of gigawatts of new generation in the development pipeline. But turning those investments into operating power plants requires a policy and regulatory environment that provides greater certainty and allows projects to move forward. 

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Senator Alan Armstrong of Oklahoma to discuss why permitting reform is one of Washington’s most consequential energy issues – and has become the defining priority of his time in the U.S. Senate. 

Before joining the Senate, Senator Armstrong spent nearly four decades at Williams, including almost 15 years as CEO. He reflects on his front-row seat to the shale gas revolution, how abundant and affordable energy helped strengthen the U.S. economy, and what his experience developing major infrastructure taught him about the barriers to building in America. 

The conversation explores how permitting delays, litigation, and regulatory uncertainty can hold up investment in pipelines, transmission, power generation, and other critical energy infrastructure.  Armstrong discusses his push to modernize the federal permitting process, the prospects for bipartisan action in Congress, and why he believes the window to get meaningful reform done is now. 

With electricity demand accelerating and affordability and reliability increasingly in focus, America needs massive private investment in new energy infrastructure. The capital is available. The projects are being developed. The question is: Can America get them built? 

Topics include: 

• Why permitting reform is essential to building critical infrastructure, 
• The shale gas revolution and America's energy advantage,  
• How innovation and competition made natural gas more affordable,  
• FERC's role in pipeline development,  
• Modernizing NEPA and improving project certainty,  
• Building bipartisan support for permitting reform,  
• Why America's future depends on its ability to build. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Senator Alan Armstrong, U.S. Senator from Oklahoma 

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What does it take to lead one of America's largest competitive power companies at a time when the electric industry is experiencing its first real demand-driven growth cycle in decades? 

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Rob Gaudette, President and CEO of NRG Energy and Vice Chairman of the EPSA Board of Directors, to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the power sector. 

As he steps into the CEO role, Rob says today's demand growth represents an opportunity for the industry – and that NRG is investing in new generation, customer-focused innovation, and its workforce to meet the country's evolving energy needs. 

The conversation explores the realities of developing new power generation, the importance of competitive markets, affordability, virtual power plants, and the policies needed to support long-term investment while delivering reliable electricity to consumers. 

Topics include: 

• The return of electricity demand growth and what it means for the grid,   
• Data centers, AI, and emerging sources of electricity demand,   
• Building new generation and investing in future power supply,   
• Supply chain, workforce, permitting, and interconnection challenges,   
• Electric reliability and affordability,  
• Virtual power plants and demand-side flexibility,   
• How competitive power markets attract investment,   
• Policy priorities for meeting future electricity needs,   
• Leadership lessons and advice for the next generation of energy professionals. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Rob Gaudette, President and CEO, NRG Energy 

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How does an historic rise in electricity demand coincide with summer power needs? 

In this special summer reliability roundtable, we’re taking a look at what to expect when it comes to electric bills, power grid reliability, and what it will take to build the infrastructure needed to support future growth while protecting consumers.  

EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler is joined by Gavin Donohue of the Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY), Glen Thomas of the PJM Power Providers Group (P3), Dan Dolan of the New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA), Jan Smutny-Jones of the Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA), Scott Miller of the Western Power Trading Forum (WPTF), and Michele Richmond of Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA). 

Together, they provide a regional outlook on summer reliability, discuss the realities behind rapidly growing electricity demand, and explore how different markets are preparing for a future that looks very different from the past twenty years. 

The conversation examines data centers, power supply, electricity prices, transmission investment, market evolution, and the role competitive power markets can play in meeting future demand while protecting consumers. 

While each region faces unique challenges, the panel agrees on one thing: reliability, affordability, and economic growth are increasingly interconnected, and the decisions being made today will shape the future of the electric grid for decades to come. 

Topics include: 

• Summer reliability outlooks across New York, PJM, New England, California, Texas, and the West, 
• Data centers, AI, and the realities of electricity demand growth, 
• Resource adequacy and generation investment, 
• Electric affordability and rising customer bills, 
• Transmission costs and infrastructure planning, 
• The role of competitive markets in meeting future demand, 
• Cost allocation and protecting consumers (who pays for data center growth?), 
• Regional market developments and policy challenges, 
• And what industry leaders believe will be the biggest power sector story over the next year. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guests:  

• Gavin Donohue, Independent Power Producers of New York (IPPNY) 
• Glen Thomas, PJM Power Providers Group (P3)  
• Jan Smutny-Jones, Independent Energy Producers Association (IEPA)  
• Dan Dolan, New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA)  
• Scott Miller, Western Power Trading Forum (WPTF)  
• Michele Richmond, Texas Competitive Power Advocates (TCPA)   

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As electricity demand grows and states debate how to pay for new infrastructure, questions around affordability, customer choice, and financial risk are becoming central to the future of the power sector. 

Consumers across the country are seeing rising electricity bills, while policymakers face increasing pressure to ensure the grid can support data centers, manufacturing growth, and electrification without placing excessive costs on households and businesses. 

In this episode, Chris Ercoli, President and CEO of the Retail Energy Advancement League (REAL), joins EPSA CEO Todd Snitchler to discuss how competitive retail and wholesale power markets can help address affordability concerns while expanding customer choice and encouraging private investment. 

Chris explains why REAL believes traditional utility models are struggling to keep pace with rising demand, evolving customer expectations, and the growing need for flexible energy products. He breaks down the differences between vertically integrated utility systems and competitive retail markets, why long-term structural infrastructure costs are driving prices higher, and how retail competition can give customers more control over price certainty and risk. 

They also discuss why states like Missouri are debating retail choice, how data centers and load growth are reshaping infrastructure investment, and why REAL believes private capital—not ratepayers—should bear the financial risk of building new generation. 

Topics include: 

• Why electricity affordability has become a growing concern for consumers and policymakers,  
• The difference between traditional utility models and competitive retailpower markets,  
• How customer choice can provide flexibility, price certainty, and customized energy products,  
• Why states are reconsidering retail competition amid rising demand growth,  
• The role of private capital versus ratepayer-backed utility investment,  
• How utilities recover infrastructure costs through the rate base,  
• Why large energy users are seeking direct access to competitive generation,  
• How states like Missouri are debating energy choice and new generation investment,  
• The risks associated with CWIP (Construction Work in Process) and long-term infrastructure cost recovery,  
• And why REAL believes competitive markets can help balance affordability, reliability, and investment needs. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Chris Ercoli, President and CEO, REAL

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After years of flat demand, the power sector is facing a dramatic shift. AI, hyperscale data centers, electrification, and manufacturing growth are driving a new wave of electricity demand—and putting unprecedented pressure on the grid. 

Gas turbine orders are expected to peak in 2026 as developers secure equipment for more than 60 gigawatts of new gas capacity. 

In this episode, Matt Neal, President of Siemens Energy North America, joins EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler to break down what this moment means from the front lines of equipment manufacturing. From turbine shortages and long lead times to supply chain constraints and workforce challenges, Matt explains why building new power infrastructure isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. 

They discuss how demand from data centers is reshaping how projects are developed, why customers are reserving equipment years in advance, and how Siemens Energy is investing billions to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity. Matt also explains why gas turbines remain critical for reliability, how they support an increasingly dynamic grid while also achieving efficiency and emissions milestones, and what the system could look like by 2040. 

Topics include: 

• Why electricity demand growth today represents a “generational shift” for the power sector,  
• How AI and data centers are reshaping load growth and infrastructure planning,  
• Why turbine lead times now stretch close to 2030 and what’s driving the bottleneck, 
• How supply chain, workforce, and manufacturing constraints are impacting grid expansion,  
• The shift from traditional procurement to reservation-based equipment strategies,  
• Why gas turbines remain essential for reliability and grid stability,  
• The latest innovations and technology breakthroughs, 
• How hyperscale data centers are changing project development and co-location strategies,  
• And what needs to happen across the industry to maintain reliability and affordability as demand accelerates. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Matt Neal, President, Siemens Energy North America 

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In this special live episode of Energy Solutions, recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Ed Crooks of Wood Mackenzie moderates a panel on what it will take to finance the power system of the future. 

Panelists discuss how quickly new infrastructure can be built to meet rising demand, what investors need to deploy capital, and the policy and regulatory challenges shaping development in an increasingly tight supply-demand environment. 

Topics include: 

• What it will take to finance the full power system, 
• How Wall Street is evaluating energy investment opportunities and risk, 
• The role of policy stability in unlocking private capital, 
• And the role of large energy users, including data centers, in shaping investment decisions. 

Moderator: Ed Crooks, Vice Chair Americas, Wood Mackenzie, and host of the Energy Gang podcast  

Guests:  

• Judge Kelsey Bagot, Virginia State Corporation Commission  
• Anthony Crowdell, Managing Director, Mizuho Americas    
• Andrew Gilbert, Partner, Energy Capital Partners    
• Josh Levi, President, Data Center Coalition 

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In this special episode of Energy Solutions, recorded live at EPSA's 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Kathryn Clay, Lead Energy & Climate Analyst at Washington Post Intelligence, moderates a discussion with LS Power Generation President Nate Hanson, Speaker Matt Huffman of the Ohio House of Representatives, Competitive Power Ventures CEO Sherman Knight, and Gordon van Welie, former President and CEO of ISO New England, on how state leadership is shaping where and how new energy resources are built. As demand for electricity accelerates, panelists explore how state policy decisions influence investment, the growing challenges around permitting and infrastructure development, and what is needed to expand capacity and maintain reliability.  

• The role of states in ensuring resource adequacy and reliability,  
• How policy decisions shape where energy investment flows, 
• Barriers to building new generation, including permitting and infrastructure constraints, 
• The importance of regulatory stability for attracting private capital, 
• How affordability pressures are influencing energy policy decisions, 
• And the growing tension between state, regional, and federal roles in power markets. 

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In this special live episode of Energy Solutions, recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, NARUC President Ann Rendahl and FERC Commissioner David Rosner join Todd Snitchler to discuss how regulators are navigating rising costs and growing investment needs across the power grid. 

They explore who pays for grid expansion, how to balance affordability with reliability, and the critical role state and federal regulators play in shaping the future of the power system. 

Topics include: 

• Rising cost pressures and long-term grid investment needs, 
• Balancing affordability with reliability and infrastructure expansion, 
• State vs. Roles in cost allocation and decision making, 
• The importance of transparency,  
• How regulators can better communicate with the public, and  
• Permitting, transmission, and building new supply to meet demand. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guests: Ann Rendahl, President, NARUC and Commissioner, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission 

David Rosner, Commissioner, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

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In this special live episode of Energy Solutions, recorded at EPSA’s 5th Annual Competitive Power Summit, Peter Lake of the White House National Energy Dominance Council joins Todd Snitchler to discuss the future of the U.S. power grid as demand surges from AI. 

Lake highlights the need to modernize grid policy, speed up interconnection, and support new infrastructure, emphasizing that energy policy is critical to economic strength, competitiveness, and national security. 

Topics include: 

• Top priorities for the National Energy Dominance Council, 
• AI-driven electricity demand and the race for global leadership, 
• Stabilize, optimize, and grow: a three-part framework for grid transformation. 
• Co-location of data centers and generation resources, 
• PJM market reforms and the future of power markets, 
• Balancing affordability, reliability, and infrastructure investment, 
• And the importance of regulatory flexibility and stakeholder collaboration. 

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA 

Guest: Peter Lake, Senior Director of Power, White House National Energy Dominance Council

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