EPISODE · Feb 19, 2026 · 32 MIN
Powering America from Washington: A Federal Worker’s Quest for Grid Reliability Through National Transmission Expansion
from We Are The Government · host Dipka Hesse
In this episode of We Are the Government, host Dipka Hesse sits down with energy policy expert Poonum Agrawal to explore one of the most critical—and least understood—issues facing the United States: electric grid reliability and transmission expansion.From her early days as a Presidential Management Fellow in the George W. Bush administration to leading the Department of Energy’s groundbreaking National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors study, Agrawal shares what it takes to modernize America’s power grid under intense political, legal, and budgetary pressure.The conversation covers grid congestion, energy affordability, microgrids, Puerto Rico’s grid insecurity, AI-driven electricity demand, and the real challenges of implementing energy policy inside the federal government.This is a behind-the-scenes look at how federal workers navigate complexity, politics, and public scrutiny to strengthen America’s energy future.This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic.Host: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: linkedin.com/dipkabhambhaniYouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible.Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro ([email protected])Graphic Artist: David Zerba ([email protected])Editor: Axel Soderland ([email protected] )#EnergyPolicy #ElectricGrid #TransmissionExpansion #GridReliability #FederalGovernment #EnergySecurity #PublicService #Infrastructure #AIandEnergy #DOE
What this episode covers
In this episode of We Are the Government, host Dipka Hesse sits down with energy policy expert Poonum Agrawal to explore one of the most critical—and least understood—issues facing the United States: electric grid reliability and transmission expansion.From her early days as a Presidential Management Fellow in the George W. Bush administration to leading the Department of Energy’s groundbreaking National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors study, Agrawal shares what it takes to modernize America’s power grid under intense political, legal, and budgetary pressure.The conversation covers grid congestion, energy affordability, microgrids, Puerto Rico’s grid insecurity, AI-driven electricity demand, and the real challenges of implementing energy policy inside the federal government.This is a behind-the-scenes look at how federal workers navigate complexity, politics, and public scrutiny to strengthen America’s energy future.This podcast is produced as a time capsule for America's 250th anniversary, preserving the stories and contributions of those who have helped build our Republic.Host: Dipka Hesse X: @DBHesseLinkedIn: linkedin.com/dipkabhambhaniYouTube: @theenergyodyssey Thank you to our great team who helped make this episode possible. A special thanks to Mathew John for his creative counsel and support, without which this wouldn’t be possible.Executive Producer: Richard Taliaferro ([email protected])Graphic Artist: David Zerba ([email protected])Editor: Axel Soderland ([email protected] )#EnergyPolicy #ElectricGrid #TransmissionExpansion #GridReliability #FederalGovernment #EnergySecurity #PublicService #Infrastructure #AIandEnergy #DOE
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Powering America from Washington: A Federal Worker’s Quest for Grid Reliability Through National Transmission Expansion
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