In this Episode
Listen on Spotify, YouTube, Pandora, Apple Music
Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, Electric Power Supply Association
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)
Summer is often when the electric grid faces its toughest test, but this year reliability is only part of the story.
In this special regional roundtable episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler brings together leaders from six major competitive power markets to discuss how their regions are preparing for another summer of peak electricity demand and what comes next as America’s power needs begin growing at levels not seen in decades.
Representing New York, PJM, New England, California, Texas, and the broader West, the panel discusses summer reliability outlooks, the impact of data centers and AI-driven demand growth, resource adequacy concerns, and the infrastructure investments needed to support future economic growth.
The conversation also explores one of policymaker’s top concerns: affordability. As consumers face rising electricity bills and policymakers debate new investments in generation, transmission, and grid infrastructure, panelists discuss how markets can continue delivering reliable electricity while managing costs and protecting customers.
From permitting challenges and data center development to transmission planning and market evolution, this episode provides a unique cross-country perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the electric grid in 2026.
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,
- Electricity affordability and rising customer bills,
- Transmission costs and infrastructure planning,
- The role of competitive markets in meeting future demand,
- Cost allocation and protecting consumers,
- Regional market developments and policy challenges,
- And what industry leaders believe will be the biggest power sector story over the next year.
Power Quote:
“The results of competitive markets have been very strong, and we need to do more to talk about that.”
GAVIN DONOHUE, INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS OF NEW YORK
Key Takeaways
Summer Reliability Outlooks Remain Generally Strong: Despite growing demand and regional challenges, panelists expressed confidence that their markets are entering the summer in relatively strong positions, supported by existing generation resources, demand response programs, and ongoing market coordination.
“PJM’s in pretty good shape this summer. It has 180 gigawatts of generation capacity committed to the market this summer, another about eight gigawatts of demand response on top of that. 188 gigawatts of available capacity against the projected load of 156 gigawatts. That’s pretty darn good.” — Glen Thomas, P3
Reliability Remains the Foundation of the Electric System: Despite regional differences, panelists agreed that reliability remains one of the most underappreciated achievements of the modern electric grid and must remain a top priority as demand grows.
“Reliability. We’re 24/7 all the time. That’s an incredible improvement over years past.” — Gavin Donohue, IPPNY
Demand Growth Is Reshaping Industry Planning: Data centers, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and electrification are driving load forecasts that few expected just a few years ago. While questions remain about how much projected demand will ultimately materialize, every region is preparing for increased electricity consumption.
“We also are now in a stance of it’s likely a when, not an if, when we do see data center growth. And that large load on a system as small and as tight as New England would fundamentally change our world.” — Dan Dolan, NEPGA
A Diverse Resource Mix Supports Reliability: Panelists emphasized that maintaining reliability requires a diverse mix of generation resources, with different technologies providing different reliability attributes and operational benefits.
“The good news is that the battery picture really has been saving the West for the last couple of years in terms of the summer peak.” — Scott Miller, WPTF
Affordability Is Becoming the Central Energy Policy Debate: Consumers are paying closer attention to their electricity bills as infrastructure costs rise. Panelists discussed the need for more transparent conversations about the costs associated with maintaining reliability while supporting economic growth and public policy objectives.
“Nothing stimulates the imagination like higher costs and a focus on affordability” — Glen Thomas, P3
Competitive Markets Continue to Attract Investment: Several participants noted that competitive market structures are helping attract new generation investment and creating opportunities for large customers to directly support the infrastructure needed to serve growing demand.
“The results of competitive markets have been very strong, and we need to do more to talk about that.” — Gavin Donohue, IPPNY
Reliability, Affordability, and Economic Growth Are Increasingly Connected: The panel emphasized that future policy decisions cannot treat reliability, affordability, and economic development as separate issues. The ability to support economic growth will depend on maintaining reliable electricity service while managing costs for consumers.
“If you want a greater amount of reliability, that is going to cost more money because when you want more of anything, more costs more.” – Michele Richmond, TCPA
Modernizing the Grid Requires Continued Investment: As the grid evolves to support new technologies, growing demand, and a changing resource mix, maintaining reliability will require significant investment in new infrastructure and resources.
“The fact that it is as reliable as it is. And that we have an old system and a lot of money needs to be put into upgrading it with new least-cost, reliable, and clean resources.” — Jan Smutny-Jones, IEPA
Producer: Christina Nyquist, senior director, communications, EPSA
Associate Producer, Audio Editor: Anna Varnell, associate, communications, EPSA
Music Composed by: Let Me Hold That, Ltd.
