What does the data really say about the reliability of Wisconsin’s electric grid amid rising demand and evolving energy needs? Host Kristin Gilkes is joined by John Jicha and Scott Smith of Madison Gas and Electric to break down the facts, clear up misconceptions, and explore what’s ahead for the state’s energy future.

CFC's 2025 Power Breakfast featured discussions about data centers and energy use. Thanks to WisconsinEye for providing coverage of the event; please visit wiseye.org/donate to support their mission.

Event link on WisconsinEye: https://wiseye.org/2025/05/06/customers-first-coalition-2025-power-breakfast/

(Free account needed to access)

Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss legislative guiding principles, his personal perspective on nuclear power, load growth, and bipartisan energy solutions.

Mentioned in this discussion:

WisconsinEye coverage of CFC’s 2025 Power Breakfast on Data Centers and Energy Use:

https://wiseye.org/2025/05/06/customers-first-coalition-2025-power-breakfast/

Electric Wire, Episode 36 - Considerations When Installing Solar Power at Your Home or Business

https://youtu.be/g-FRPsCxc7E

Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss recent legislative initiatives, energy policy, and creating a bridge between urban and rural Wisconsin residents with climate initiatives.

As mentioned in the episode, CFC is hosting our annual Power Breakfast on May 6, 2025, in Madison and this year's topic is data centers and energy use. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cfc-power-breakfast-2025-data-centers-and-energy-use-tickets-1246469396519

Our year-in-review crew is back to reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Special guests include: Kara Pennoyer, Chief

Earlier this year we celebrated some of our top episodes of the Electric Wire podcast in person by inviting previous podcast guests to Madison to speak at our annual Power Breakfast.

Thanks to WisconsinEye, we are able to bring Power Breakfast audio and video to our listeners. Please visit wiseye.org to check out more live and archived footage from WisconsinEye and consider making a donation to this free service!

This podcast episode follows the Power Breakfast agenda for speaker order:

- Opening Remarks by Commissioner Marcus Hawkins, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

- Laurel Peltier, Journalist and Energy Advocate

- Brent Ridge, President and CEO, Dairyland Power Cooperative

- Wisconsin's Energy Providers Panel

- Rep. Lisa Subek, Ranking Member, Assembly Energy &

Thanks for listening!

Justin Chasco of Fredrikson & Byron joins the podcast to discuss CFC's upcoming Power Breakfast event, which will celebrate the 50th episode of the Electric Wire podcast.

Jon Baker, Project Manager of the proposed Vista Sands Solar Project in Central Wisconsin, joins the Electric Wire to discuss the process, opportunities, and challenges that come with siting a large solar project. Read Jon’s recent opinion column highlighting the project, here: https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-solar-project-furthers-conservation-clean-energy-goals/article_b0e07dba-0ef5-11ef-9435-dba12b87857a.html

On Episode 47 of the Electric Wire, we discuss the steps Powering Wisconsin is taking to help include utility-scale renewable energy in Wisconsin’s generation portfolio and the process it takes to get more renewable energy sited here in Wisconsin. Special guests include Peder Mewis, Clean Grid Alliance, and Mike Kuglitsch, Michael Best Strategies LLC, representing Powering Wisconsin. Matthew Spencer, Madison Gas & Electric, co-hosts. Read Peder’s recent Op-Ed on Wisconsin’s energy policies, here: https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-lawmakers-taking-right-approach-to-renewable-energy/article_668ac7f6-03ed-11ef-8533-7b7ef69acb83.html

Don't forget to register for CFC's Power Breakfast on August 15, 2024, here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-power-breakfast-the-best-of-the-electric-wire-tickets-923933468877

Tom Content, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, joins host Kristin Gilkes to recap the recent NASUCA Conference in Madison, WI, and the issues discussed at the conference, such as data centers, transmission, EV buildout, innovative rate designs, and more.

CFC's Power Breakfast on August 15 will highlight key speakers from the Electric Wire podcast as we celebrate our 50th episode. Register here:

4:00 – NASUCA Conference: Discussion of Consumer

5:57 – Issues related to data centers

8:10 – Considerations of direct selling baseload power to

9:30 – Microsoft data center in WI

10:15 – cost allocation for data centers

11:06 – transmission issues discussed at conference

16:22 – EPRI Electric Vehicles Buildout Tool for Utilities

18:45 – Consumer issues on the horizon

19:50 – Increasing demand/affordability tipping point

20:50 – Bringing down costs

23:15 – Tom’s “All the Power” moment

25:12 – Appropriate levels of spending on energy efficiency

27:00 – Upcoming CFC Power Breakfast on August 15

Registration Link:

2024

31:20 – Upcoming CCIF report on innovative rate designs and time of use rates