Opinion
The latest opinion pieces by industry thought leaders
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Mario Tama via Getty Images
Solutions to the energy talent gap are hiding in plain sight
To meet clean energy hiring challenges, employers will benefit from working toward a strategic, industrywide vision for attracting talent.
Janell Hills-Thomas and Courtney Haynes • Aug. 8, 2025 -
George Frey via Getty Images
Why utilities should bring water into the data center energy conversation
For utilities, this is not only about supporting customer growth but also about protecting grid integrity and infrastructure investments in an increasingly resource-constrained environment.
Pete Elliott and Richard Tribble • Aug. 7, 2025 -
Permission granted by PJM Interconnection
We at PJM need realistic solutions, not politics, to take on energy challenges
Some public narratives have presented an inaccurate picture of the PJM Interconnection’s role in cost-effectively keeping the lights on. Here are the facts.
Aftab Khan • Aug. 6, 2025 -
whyframestudio via Getty Images
An FAA rule will revolutionize energy infrastructure inspections. It just got a big boost.
A new executive order accelerates the timeline for beyond visual line of sight regulations for commercial drone operations, which will give utilities improved inspection capabilities.
Ulrich Amberg • Aug. 5, 2025 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Move fast, adapt faster: A distributed generation playbook for turbulent times
Distributed generation can go from development to construction to operation in months, not years, even under compressed timelines.
Goksenin “Goksi” Ozturkeri • Aug. 4, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
The weather is changing. Here’s how utilities can adapt.
The Climate READi framework can help energy companies prioritize investments and adapt the evolving electric system to the climate of the future.
Morgan Scott • Aug. 1, 2025 -
halbergman via Getty Images
Aggregations and data centers: If a resource shows up when the grid is straining, make it count.
Allow AI data centers to participate in grid stress management, and the capital will flow to the solutions that enable flexible, grid-supportive outcomes.
Arushi Sharma Frank • July 31, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Want abundant energy? Ask who benefits from scarcity.
Achieving energy abundance requires reforming electricity markets, refreshing electric utility regulation and rethinking the way we pay for grid infrastructure.
Arjun Krishnaswami • July 30, 2025 -
Sean Gallup via Getty Images
The hydrogen industry is failing. Here’s how to fix it.
The industry should build reasonably-sized, modular electrolyzer systems that can be deployed on-site, expanded over time and matched to actual needs.
Gabriel G. Rodríguez-Calero • July 29, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Reimagining the grid for the 21st century with virtual power plants
Why should we pay for new utility power plants when VPPs can meet our grid’s needs at far less cost?
Richard Boehnke • July 28, 2025 -
George Frey via Getty Images
Coal- and gas-fired power plants have a new best friend: data centers
The data center boom is here to stay, but so is climate change. Load growth is not an excuse to reverse progress and renew dependence on fossil fuel energy.
Abbe Ramanan • July 25, 2025 -
Stephanie Keith via Getty Images
Energy Department’s flawed grid study props up expensive, zombie power plants
The most effective way to maintain grid reliability is to let planners plan, markets work and utilities build the resources they’ve already identified as the most affordable path forward.
Matthias Fripp and Brendan Pierpont • July 24, 2025 -
Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
The IRA rollback is a disaster for energy. Industry leaders must move fast.
Project changes will require meticulous due diligence involving legal and finance teams. Those who can show robust tracking and tracing protocols may be among the biggest winners.
Anna Shpitsberg • July 23, 2025 -
Mark Wilson via Getty Images
PJM leadership openings are an opportunity to chart a new course
Rather than addressing the root causes of its problems, the organization blames states for supply and infrastructure shortages, often defending the very policies that are driving up customer costs.
David Lapp • July 22, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Why the nuclear energy renaissance is real — and necessary
The technologies, economics and motivations driving the modern nuclear revival differ fundamentally from what came before.
Erik Funkhouser • July 21, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
The key to renewable energy development is building local trust
After a gigawatt’s worth of development, Arun Muthukrishnan now approaches each project not just as a technical or financial challenge, but as a deeply human one.
Arun Muthukrishnan • July 18, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
So you’re thinking about buying an electric school bus
From working with a utility to choosing a charger, five insights to improve the decision-making.
Linda Margison, Ryan Henderson and Linda Stevens • July 16, 2025 -
photovs via Getty Images
Natural gas: The workhorse of American energy dominance and security
Natural gas is a vital export to allies in Europe and Asia, a backstop for grid reliability during peak demand and a bridge fuel that complements the integration of renewable resources.
Brigham McCown • July 15, 2025 -
Alamy
Will FERC stand up for competitive power markets? Our grid depends on it.
With hundreds of billions of dollars expected to be spent on grid projects, it’s time for FERC to reaffirm its commitment to market competition — and prevent utility self-dealing.
Andrew Waranch • July 14, 2025 -
onurdongel via Getty Images
Ignoring customers is unsustainable and bad policy
Enabling flexible customer demand can drive significant system-wide benefits while mitigating the cost or timing of expensive system upgrades.
Kent Chandler, Chris Villarreal and Michael Giberson • July 11, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Avoid the ‘standing’ land mine in FERC appeals
The Entergy Arkansas case involving a Midcontinent Independent System Operator proposal highlights how standing works — and the risk of failing to prepare to meet its threshold requirements.
Jackson A. Myers and Zakary Kadish • July 10, 2025 -
Courtesy of Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
PHMSA grants work for America. Let’s keep them funded.
By repairing and replacing gas pipelines, the federal program helps municipal and community-owned utilities lower energy costs, create jobs and cut emissions, but its funding expires next year.
Dave Schryver • July 9, 2025 -
Felbaba Volodymyr via Getty Images
How retail energy suppliers can navigate the new federal energy policies
Key strategies include buying renewable energy certificates now, leveraging data and predictive analytics and growing market share.
Nainish Gupta • July 8, 2025 -
John M. Chase via Getty Images
How AI can improve utility storm response with increased reliability, lower ratepayer costs
With extreme weather increasing, AI can make storm response more efficient and effective for utilities, ratepayers, vendors, regulators and the various governments involved.
Hari Vasudevan • July 7, 2025 -
audioundwerbung via Getty Images
How regulators can protect hydrogen customers while enabling innovation
By asking key questions, regulators can distinguish between fruitful and wasteful hydrogen projects. And by taking a holistic view and engaging with others, they can bring stability to the industry.
Dan Esposito and Mike O’Boyle • July 2, 2025
