Host Lindsey Gray speaks with West Virginia Delegate Clay Riley to explore how energy policy is shaping the state’s economic future during the 2026 legislative session. Energy has always been central to West Virginia’s identity—and today, it’s also a key driver of competitiveness, job creation, and long-term growth. Delegate Riley shares how lawmakers are approaching an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy that balances affordability, reliability, environmental responsibility, and economic opportunity.  
 
In this episode: 
 
Why does energy policy matter so much to West Virginia’s economy? 

Energy is foundational to West Virginia’s workforce, revenue base, and identity. As a major energy-producing and net-exporting state, West Virginia views energy policy as an economic development strategy—one that supports jobs, attracts investment, and positions the state to meet rising regional demand. 
 
How is West Virginia using energy policy to drive economic growth? 

Lawmakers are aligning energy policy with job creation and competitiveness by modernizing infrastructure, repurposing retired power plant sites, and ensuring energy reliability for industries like manufacturing and data centers that depend on large, consistent power loads. 
 
What is West Virginia’s “all-of-the-above” energy approach? 

The state is pursuing a diversified strategy that includes coal, natural gas, emerging technologies, and grid modernization. This approach balances reliability, affordability, environmental responsibility, and long-term economic growth—without relying on a single energy source. 
 
What are Advanced Transmission Technologies (ATTs), and why do they matter? 

Advanced Transmission Technologies allow states to move more electricity across existing transmission lines without building new rights-of-way. For West Virginia, ATTs improve grid reliability, reduce congestion, accelerate project timelines, and help export more power to neighboring states efficiently. 
 
How does West Virginia protect ratepayers while expanding energy infrastructure? 

The state is increasingly requiring high-load users—such as data centers—to bear the cost of grid expansions they require. This ensures economic development does not shift financial burden onto residential customers or small businesses. 
 
What can other Southern states learn from West Virginia’s energy strategy?
 
West Virginia demonstrates how energy-producing states can treat energy as a competitive advantage—linking policy decisions to workforce readiness, site development, grid modernization, and regional collaboration to support long-term growth. 
 
Why is regional collaboration important for energy policy? 

Energy systems operate across state lines. West Virginia works closely with neighboring states and regional transmission organizations to ensure fair cost allocation, grid reliability, and shared economic benefit—recognizing that one state’s decisions impact the entire region. 


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In the inaugural episode of Real | State, host Lindsey Gray sits down with Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns to explore affordability as a defining issue for Georgia families—from property tax reform and housing supply to rural economic resilience and workforce development. Speaker Burns shares how state leaders are approaching these challenges, what success looks like for communities across Georgia, and why long-term, collaborative policy matters now more than ever. 
 
In this episode: 
 
What does affordability mean for Georgia families? 

Speaker Burns defines affordability in practical terms—housing costs, property taxes, healthcare access, and workforce readiness—and explains why all are interconnected. 
 
How could property tax reform affect homeowners? 

The conversation explores proposals focused on homestead protections and how reform could ease pressure on families, seniors, and first-time buyers. 
 
How does regulation impact housing affordability? 

Speaker Burns discusses where regulation protects communities—and where it unintentionally raises housing costs by limiting supply or increasing construction expenses. 
 
Why is affordability different in rural Georgia? 

Rural affordability is often tied to economic stability and job access, not just housing prices. The episode examines how state policy supports both. 
 
How do lawmakers know if affordability policies are working? 

Listening to communities, tracking outcomes, and evaluating long-term indicators like workforce readiness and literacy. 
 

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Across the country, the decisions made in state capitals don't just shape policy, they shape everyday life. From how we build and strengthen our communities, to how we prepare the next generation of leaders, and how states work together to solve challenges that don't stop at state lines. This is the Real | State Podcast. I'm your host, Lindsey Gray, Regional Executive Director of CSG South.

On Real | State, we go beyond the headlines and talking points to explore the real work and real solutions driving state leadership today. Each episode features candid conversations with state legislators, government leaders, and policy experts from across CSG South's 15 member states. Together, we take a closer look at the decisions being made, the lessons being learned, and the partnerships shaping the future of state government. 

Grounded in CSG South's trusted nonpartisan voice, Real | State brings together public service, private sector and real perspectives, connecting the people who govern with the people and communities they serve. Whether you're an elected official, a policy leader or simply someone who wants to better understand how state decisions impact all of us, this podcast is your front row seat to the conversations defining what comes next. This is Real | State. Real leadership. Real policy. Real Impact.



Learn more at CSG South.