People in Power – A NewsData Podcast

On this edition of People in Power California Energy Markets Associate Editor Abigail Sawyer discusses the role of community choice aggregation in California with Beth Vaughan, CEO of CalCCA. In their 15-year history in California, CCAs have presented a model for innovation and contributed to the radical reshaping of California’s electricity generation, delivery and consumption. With affordability, uncertainty and flexibility currently on everyone’s minds, CCAs seem poised to continue innovating, with novel approaches to transmission development, new generation resources and substantial growth. The CCA model is also becoming appealing to other states, which are considering how to enable choice for electricity consumers.

Transmission in the West is a huge topic nowadays, with many more lines and additional infrastructure needed to meet renewable-energy goals and maintain grid reliability in the face of significant load growth. This episode of People in Power features Neil Millar, vice president of transmission planning and infrastructure development at the California Independent System Operator, the man who guides CAISO’s multibillion-dollar annual planning process. Neil is also responsible for managing new generation interconnections across CAISO’s territory—a lot of responsibility, indeed. Check out this insightful interview on People in Power.

Hear from the nation's top reliability official as he and California Energy Markets Editor Jason Fordney explore the topic of grid reliability. Generation retirements, load growth through data centers and electrification, and more frequent extreme weather are among the challenges facing grid planners and reliability officials. This episode digs deep into the issues, including the challenges of more inverter-based resources on the grid, gas-electric coordination, and how New York City almost lost its natural gas supply in what would have been a catastrophic event. Don't miss this one-on-one with an official who is on the front lines of the reliability situation!

People in Power Episode 8: NewsData Reporter Roundtable! Looking to update your knowledge of emerging Western wholesale energy markets? This episode of People in Power features three experts on the topic, California Energy Markets Managing Editor Jason Fordney, Clearing Up Editor Steve Ernst and California Energy Markets Associate Editor and Southwest Editor Abigail Sawyer. They discuss both the California Independent System Operator’s extended day-ahead market and the competing proposal from the Southwest Power Pool, Markets+. You can hear about the latest dynamics around the markets, from solving the thorny governance issue to the effectiveness of the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative to where the Bonneville Power Administration will land. This is a critical listen for anyone involved in Western energy markets! 

Jason Sandel, President of Aztec Well Servicing and Chair of the Western States and Tribal Nations Energy Initiative, shares insights on the vital role of Rocky Mountain natural gas in ensuring energy reliability across the West. He discusses the impact of severe winter weather on supply, the evolution of energy sources toward renewables, and the potential for geothermal energy as a sustainable option. Sandel emphasizes the importance of community collaboration and inter-state cooperation for a secure and decarbonized power future.

In this episode of People in Power, Chatterjee, former energy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, discusses what to expect from the new federal administration in terms of energy. Some of his thoughts are surprising, such as Trump’s embrace of clean energy, and how Trump is concerned about his legacy. First nominated to FERC by Trump in 2017. Chatterjee describes how Trump isn’t doing anything he didn’t say he was going to do, and offers some personal insights into the president. Other topics include winning the artificial intelligence war against China and bringing down the cost of electricity.

Duane Highley, CEO of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, discusses the intricate balance of energy needs across diverse states. He delves into the organization's shift towards renewable energy and the retirement of fossil fuels while ensuring reliability. Highley highlights the political complexities in energy strategies and the importance of bipartisan collaboration for infrastructure improvements. He also addresses challenges in integrating new transmission lines and the potential of regional transmission organizations to enhance grid reliability amidst decarbonization efforts.

For this episode of People in Power, California Energy Markets Editor Jason Fordney speaks with Will Abrams, a leading wildfire survivor advocate who discusses some disturbing developments around compensation for wildfire victims in California—a situation stretching back years and tied to the bankruptcy of Pacific Gas & Electric in 2020. These developments include wildfire victims not getting paid; Wall Street hedge funds, attorneys and others profiteering off the proceedings; and state legislation that is designed more to benefit utility shareholders than wildfire survivors. Abrams, who is a participant in legal proceedings related to wildfire survivor compensation, takes us through a series of observations that provide great insight into the plight of wildfire survivors. Abrams is a tireless advocate for wildfire victims who has taken his message to the state Legislature in Sacramento.

Antoine Lucas, Southwest Power Pool's VP of markets, talks with California Energy Markets Associate Editor Abigail Sawyer about waiting for federal approval of Markets+, SPP’s day-ahead market offering for load-serving entities in the West. Further regulatory delays could have implications for Markets+, which is in direct competition with the California Independent System Operator's extended day-ahead market. That competition, Lucas says, is good for everyone. Listen to the conversation on the latest episode of NewsData's People in Power.

Jason Hunter, a former employee of Riverside Public Utilities, is still looking for answers regarding contracting activity he witnessed at the organization years ago. Bolstering his claims of wrongdoing is the fact that some of the individuals involved in the alleged activity are now serving prison sentences for later activities at Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. It’s a wild story complete with employee harassment; police harassment; Federal Bureau of Information raids on LADWP offices; and conflicts of interest, as well as shell companies, luxury cars and beachfront condos.Hunter alleges that after years of seeking the truth and seeking an audit of the contracting activities he witnessed more than a decade ago, the alleged crimes were never punished. He is still waiting for the City of Riverside to perform the audit, which nobody can seem to complete.Check out the latest episode of People in Power to hear the whole story.