What The FERC is going on?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shapes how electricity generation and transmission connect to the grid, yet most people rarely think about its impact. In this episode, Claire and Dan unpack the FERC's expanding authority over large load interconnection and what it means for renewable energy, data centers, reliability, and consumer costs. Claire and Dan examine how massive project backlogs are delaying clean energy deployment, why billions are being spent to keep aging coal plants online, and how outdated planning models are driving higher utility rates. The conversation also explores grid reliability, transmission bottlenecks, political influence, and why utilities, regulators, and policymakers struggle to modernize a system facing unprecedented demand from AI and electrification. This is a clear-eyed look at how the grid actually works, why reform is so slow, and what is at stake for affordability, climate goals, and America's energy future.