Electric Perspectives

Elon Musk and Pedro Pizarro on the Future of Electric Transportation

EEI 2023 featured a lineup of exceptional keynote speakers. On this episode, you'll hear the full-length EEI 2023 keynote conversation between renowned technologist Elon Musk and EEI Chair Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. The discussion spans topics such as electrification across the economy, the future of electric transportation, Tesla’s decision to open up its Supercharger network to other automakers, and much more. You also can watch the keynote on EEI's YouTube channel.

Saluting America’s Lineworkers

Lineworkers maintain and enhance the energy grid and play a critical role in delivering America’s resilient clean energy future. They also work around the clock and in dangerous conditions following extreme weather events to ensure that the customers and the communities they serve have access to safe and reliable electricity. On July 10, EEI will join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association in celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor these dedicated workers.

 

On this episode, we hear from IBEW Local 47 Business Manager Colin Lavin and Southern California Edison (SCE) Senior Vice President of Transmission and Distribution Heather Rivard about why we celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10, how a culture of safety has been ingrained in lineworkers, how lineworkers are modernizing and maintaining SCE’s energy grid, and more.

After EPA’s Section 111 Proposal, What Comes Next?

On May 11, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, which targets carbon pollution standards for fossil-fuel based plants. Over the past several months, EEI has engaged constructively with EPA and outlined several important priorities for these regulations that are consistent with the ongoing clean energy transition that EEI's member companies are leading.

On this episode, Emily Fisher, EEI executive vice president of clean energy and general counsel, and Alex Bond, EEI deputy general counsel of clean energy and climate, discuss the proposed rule, the potential implications for electric companies and their customers, and what comes next for this proposal. 

 

Editor's note: This conversation was recorded in late May.

Investing to Enhance Grid Reliability

EEI's member companies make significant investments to enhance the energy grid every year. One of many grid modernization and improvement projects that is underway to ensure reliable and resilient clean energy can be delivered to customers now and in the years to come is Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan.

On this episode, Georgia Power Vice President of Strategy and Support Cleve Fann and Pike Electric President Matt Fisher dive into the details of Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan. They discuss specific projects underway as part of the plan and how they are benefitting customers.

This episode is sponsored by Pike Electric, the company that is providing engineering and construction services to help make Georgia Power's Grid Improvement Plan a reality.

Collaborating to Combat Wildfires

America's electric companies are working together to identify opportunities to enhance mitigation, detection, and response capabilities as part of our wildfire mitigation strategy. The electric power industry has built trusted relationships with partners across the federal government who have key roles to play in our collective wildfire mitigation efforts.

On this episode, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore and EEI Vice Chair Maria Pope, who is president and CEO of Portland General Electric (PGE) in Oregon and co-chair of EEI's Wildfire CEO Taskforce and the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council's Wildfire Working Group, discuss the industry-government partnership to combat wildfires and how PGE and the U.S. Forest Service are preparing for the peak of wildfire season.

Read Chief Moore's column in Electric Perspectives to learn more about industry and government efforts to enhance how we are working to reduce wildfire risk: https://bit.ly/41xcOk0

Global Circuit: Navigating the Energy Transition in Island Environments

Island environments face unique challenges as we transition our energy systems. What are the ways island providers are preparing for the transition? What role does employee experience play in ensuring successful business operations? How can we attract more women to the energy workforce? Ruth Forbes, President and CEO of FortisTCI, joins this episode of Global Circuit to discuss the company’s operations in the Turks and Caicos Islands, renewable energy, partnerships, workforce, and more.

 

The Global Circuit is brought to you by EEI International Programs as part of EEI’s Electric Perspectives podcast. For more information about EEI International Programs, visit https://www.eei.org/about-eei/international-members

Advancing Carbon-Free Technologies to Reach Net-Zero Emissions

Our path toward a resilient clean energy future depends on new and developing carbon-free technologies. The Institute for the Energy Transition (IET) was launched earlier this year to advance the commercialization of breakthrough technologies, which will allow electric companies to reach net-zero emission goals while keeping customer reliability and affordability front and center. The IET will build off the foundation set by the Carbon-Free Technologies Initiative (CFTI). (You can listen to a previous discussion about CFTI at: https://bit.ly/41EuefK).

On this episode, Gerry Anderson, who retired after a distinguished career leading DTE Energy and now chairs the Edison Foundation, and Eric Holdsworth, EEI’s managing director of Clean Energy and Environmental Policy, discuss the efforts of EEI and our partners to accelerate the pace for research, development, demonstration, and deployment of new carbon-free technologies; the vision behind IET and the work underway; and more.

 

 

Siting and Permitting Reforms Are Necessary for a Clean Energy Future

Studies have shown that transmission infrastructure in the U.S. will have to double – maybe even triple – in order to reach a net-zero economy by 2050 and to support widespread electrification. But one persistent challenge to expanding the transmission system and deploying more clean energy is the inefficient siting and permitting process for critical infrastructure such as transmission lines. EEI advocates for a coordinated, consistent, and efficient siting and permitting regulatory framework to ensure that electricity is reliable and affordable for customers.

On this episode, Dominion Energy Vice President of Federal Affairs Ann Loomis and EEI Senior Director of Government Relations Patrick Arness discuss the urgent need for permitting and siting reform, Dominion Energy’s experience going through the environmental and regulatory review process for its offshore wind project, new developments on the Hill that might impact permitting and siting reforms, and more. 

Empowering Communities Through DEI and Workforce Development

EEI's member companies are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their own workforces and to creating new economic opportunities in the communities that they serve. As we aim to deliver a resilient clean energy future to customers, we know that our success depends on us creating new pathways for diverse candidates to enter the energy workforce.

On this episode, Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon, and Courtney Peterson, EEI vice president, chief diversity officer, and chief human resources officer, discuss Calvin’s career journey, Exelon’s DEI programs and initiatives, how Exelon and its companies are ensuring that diverse job candidates have equal access to the energy workforce, and more. 

Women in Leadership

March is Women’s History Month, and EEI honors and recognizes the achievements and contributions of women throughout the electric power industry. As our member companies make progress on their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments, it’s important to create career pathways for employees that can lead to leadership opportunities.

In this episode, EEI Executive Vice President of Clean Energy and General Counsel Emily Fisher speaks with Puget Sound Energy President and CEO Mary Kipp about how female representation has changed in the workplace, how companies are empowering their female employees, Mary's advice to women who want to advance in their careers, and more. 

 

Editor's Note: This podcast episode was recorded and originally published in March 2022.