
USEA's Power Sector Podcast
The USEA Power Sector Podcast is bringing new voices and new ideas to key energy system conversations in 15-minute interviews targeting urgently needed solutions. Topics will range from when, where, and how generation and transmission should be expanded to what resources and technologies are needed to ensure distribution systems remain reliable.
The podcast is airing the voices of those building and implementing tomorrow’s energy system and of the policymakers who, in response to consumer demand, are setting the goals for a renewed power sector. It will also feature regular check-in
Latest episodes

Feb 18, 2025 • 17min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 114: GridPolicy CEO & Former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff
In today’s episode of the USEA Power Sector Podcast series on changing priorities, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Jon Wellinghoff, currently the CEO of consultant GridPolicy, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about what to expect in power sector policy under the new presidential administration and congress to existing and new tax credits, including the new technology-neutral tax credit, and the possibility of new action on permitting as changing resources, spiking electricity demand, and extreme weather events add unprecedented stress to the US power system.

Feb 13, 2025 • 20min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 113: Newport Consulting Group Managing Partner Paul DeMartini
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast episode in a continuing series on utility planning, Newport Consulting Group Managing Partner Paul DeMartini, a leading advisor to utilities, regulators and the Department of Energy on distribution system business, policy, and technology, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the potential of new paradigms in utility system planning to address the impacts of variable and customer-owned energy resources, rising demand, and new policy and to optimize the delivery of affordable reliable electricity.

Feb 11, 2025 • 21min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 112: Association of Edison Illuminating Companies VP of Technical Strategy Elizabeth Cook
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast episode in a continuing series on utility planning, Elizabeth Cook, VP of Technical Strategy with the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies, answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about integrated distributed system planning, the newest step toward a utility planning paradigm to optimize the power sector’s delivery of affordable reliable electricity.

Feb 6, 2025 • 17min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 111: Independent Energy Producers Association CEO Jan Smutny-Jones
In today’s episode of the USEA Power Sector Podcast series on changing priorities, Independent Energy Producers Association CEO Jan Smutny-Jones answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about what to expect in power sector policy under the new presidential administration and congress to existing and new tax credits, including the new technology-neutral tax credit, and the possibility of new action on permitting as changing resources, spiking electricity demand, and extreme weather events add unprecedented stress to the US power system.

Feb 4, 2025 • 18min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 110: World Resources Institute Director Lori Bird
In today’s episode of the USEA Power Sector Podcast series on changing priorities, World Resources Institute Director Lori Bird answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about what to expect in power sector policy under the incoming presidential administration and new congress as new resources, spiking electricity demand, and extreme weather events add unprecedented stress to the US power system.

Jan 30, 2025 • 22min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 109: LBNL & DOE Research Scientist JP Carvallo
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast episode in a continuing series on utility planning, Berkeley Lab and Department of Energy Research Scientist JP Carvallo answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about how the traditional utility integrated resource planning process works and how emerging planning innovations may supplement and strengthen it.

Jan 28, 2025 • 18min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 108: Norton Rose Fulbright Partner & Co-Head of Projects Keith Martin
In today’s episode of the USEA Power Sector Podcast series on changing priorities, USEA Power Sector Podcast, Attorney and energy policy authority Keith Martin, a Partner and Co-Head of Projects for global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about his expectations for the power sector under the incoming presidential administration and congress as new resources, spiking electricity demand, and extreme weather events add unprecedented stress to the US power system.

Jan 24, 2025 • 25min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 107: Former Biden Administration Official Tanuj Deora
Tanuj Deora, a former director for clean energy in the Biden administration and current advisor to clean energy companies, shares insights on the future of U.S. energy policy. He discusses the impact of new presidential priorities and the Inflation Reduction Act on clean energy strategies. Deora highlights the challenges of transitioning to technology-neutral tax credits, local regulations on renewable energy, and the complexities of developing natural gas and offshore wind. His perspective sheds light on the need for adaptable strategies amid evolving regulatory landscapes.

Jan 22, 2025 • 20min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 106: EPRI Energy Systems & Climate Analysis Program Manager Nidhi Santen
In today’s USEA Power Sector Podcast, EPRI Energy Systems and Climate Analysis Program Manager Nidhi Santen answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about how variable and customer-owned energy resources, rising demand, and new policy are driving innovations in utilities’ longstanding use of integrated resource planning, or IRP, to optimize affordable reliable electricity delivery.

Jan 16, 2025 • 20min
USEA Power Sector Podcast Episode 105: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lab Manager, Senior Policy Researcher & Strategic Advisor Lisa Schwartz
In today’s opening episode of the USEA Power Sector Podcast series on utility planning, Berkeley Lab Manager, Senior Policy Researcher, and Senior Strategic Advisor Lisa Schwartz answered questions by journalist Herman K. Trabish about the evolving utility planning paradigm, from integrated resource planning and integrated distribution system planning to integrated system planning to meet the power sector needs of today and tomorrow.