2025.09.29 | Keep the Lights On: The War to Preserve US Firm Capacity

The Department of Energy (DOE) is using emergency powers under the Federal Power Act to force retiring power plants to stay open, reversing years of policy in a major federal intervention. Driven by surging electricity demand (including from data centers) and a terrifying 78 GW capacity gap (100 GW retiring vs. 22 GW new firm capacity), policymakers are scrambling to maintain grid reliability. This episode analyzes the DOE's new 'energy dominance agenda,' examines the $29 billion in utility rate hike requests, and breaks down new initiatives like the Speed Act aiming to accelerate transmission buildout. Tune in to understand the massive costs, policy risks, and critical vulnerabilities—including cyber risks related to EVs and physical threats—of keeping the lights on amidst infrastructure delays.