In this episode of Smart Energy Voices, host Debra Chanil brings together three industry leaders from SED’s Advisory Board to examine how shifting policies, rising demand, and rapid technological change have reshaped energy and sustainability strategies across sectors in 2025 and what 2026 may bring. Tom Kelly, Senior Energy Manager, SUNY Purchase College, offers a higher education perspective, outlining the challenges of volatile markets, evolving state mandates, and the growing role of students in driving sustainability priorities. Emily Schapira, President and CEO, Philadelphia Energy Authority, discusses how the Philadelphia Energy Authority is navigating the loss of federal funding while still advancing equitable clean energy initiatives, including the city’s landmark LED streetlighting project. Finally, Scott Bargerstock, Principal, Mindre Consulting, shares insights from his decades in manufacturing, highlighting geopolitical pressures, grid expansion, and innovation in storage and nuclear technologies.  

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… 

Challenges of forecasting markets without consistent federal information (03:36) 

On complying with New York’s Executive Order 22 (05:29) 

SUNY Purchase College’s energy and sustainability priorities (07:17) 

SUNY Purchase College’s $50M geothermal project (10:56) 

Impacts of federal policy rollbacks and stalled clean energy programs (15:35) 

Philadelphia’s creative financing strategies amid uncertainty (19:36) 

Philadelphia’s $90M LED streetlighting overhaul (22:56) 

Biggest challenges energy procurement managers are facing (31:24) 

Innovation priorities like battery storage and safety concerns (33:31) 

The  restoration of the nuclear industry in the US (39:33) 

For full episode show notes, click here.

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