PODCAST · news
The Electric Wire
by Customers First! Coalition
The Electric Wire Podcast is a production of the Customers First! Coalition, featuring Wisconsin energy and utilities interviews and news.
Episodes
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Peter Barca on Wisconsin’s Changing Energy Mix
Former Wisconsin congressman and state legislative leader Peter Barca, who also served as Wisconsin's Department of Revenue Secretary, joins the Electric Wire to talk about his work with Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future and the changing role of natural gas and renewable energy in...
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Commissioner Kristy Nieto on Consumer Issues & Upcoming Power Breakfast
Commissioner Kristy Nieto of the Public Service Commissionof Wisconsin joins the Electric Wire to discuss her background on consumer issues and the work she’s doing now to ensure that customers are at the forefront of decision-making. Commissioner Nieto will also be speaking at the upcoming...
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PSCW Chairperson Summer Strand Previews Upcoming MARC Conference in Madison
In this episode of The Electric Wire, host Kristin Gilkes sits down with Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Summer Strand to discuss the evolving role of utility regulation at a time of rising scrutiny, growing energy demand, and increasing conversations around affordability and...
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Nuclear Energy’s Comeback? A Conversation with WisBusiness Reporter Alex Moe
Nuclear energy is back in the conversation in Wisconsin—and across the country. In this episode of The Electric Wire, host Kristin Gilkes sits down with Alex Moe to discuss his recent reporting on renewed interest in nuclear development, including efforts to revive the former Kewaunee nuclear…
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2025 Highlight Clips
In 2025, discussions on the Electric Wire podcast centered around reliability, affordability, and regulation in a time of load growth. This year-in-review episode features top highlights from our 2025 episodes.
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Public Power Innovation: Inside MPU’s Refuel Renewable Project
In this episode of The Electric Wire, we explore how Manitowoc Public Utilities is turning waste into energy — and reshaping what renewable, dispatchable power can look like for Wisconsin. Host Kristin Gilkes is joined by Troy Adams, CEO and General Manager of MPU, and co-host Tyler Vorpagel from...
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The True Cost of Electric Deregulation with Power for Tomorrow
Gary Meltz and Brad Viator of Power for Tomorrow join the podcast to discuss how the regulated electric utility model protects customers, how deregulation drives up electric bills, and how to address some of the challenges facing the industry today. Links: Gary's Column: Electric Deregulation...
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Power Check: Insights on Wisconsin’s Energy Reliability
What does the data really say about the reliability of Wisconsin’s electric grid amid rising demand and evolving energy needs? Host Kristin Gilkes is joined by John Jicha and Scott Smith of Madison Gas and Electric to break down the facts, clear up misconceptions, and explore what’s ahead for the...
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Power Breakfast 2025 - Data Centers and Energy Use
CFC's 2025 Power Breakfast featured discussions about data centers and energy use. Thanks to WisconsinEye for providing coverage of the event; please visit wiseye.org/donate to support their mission. Event link on WisconsinEye:...
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Staying Connected with Rep. Adam Neylon
Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss legislative guiding principles, his personal perspective on nuclear power, load growth, and bipartisan energy solutions. Mentioned in this discussion: WisconsinEye coverage of CFC’s 2025 Power Breakfast on Data Centers and Energy…
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Good Energy and the Power of the People with Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde
Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss recent legislative initiatives, energy policy, and creating a bridge between urban and rural Wisconsin residents with climate initiatives. As mentioned in the episode, CFC is hosting our annual...
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2024 Year-in-Review Roundtable + 2025 Predictions
Our year-in-review crew is back to reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Special guests include: Kara Pennoyer, Chief of Staff to Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Summer Strand; Matthew Spencer, Director of Government Relations, Madison Gas and Electric; Luke Fuller…
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Episode 50! The 2024 Power Breakfast featuring Marcus Hawkins, Laurel Peltier, Brent Ridge, and more
Earlier this year we celebrated some of our top episodes of the Electric Wire podcast in person by inviting previous podcast guests to Madison to speak at our annual Power Breakfast. Thanks to WisconsinEye, we are able to bring Power Breakfast audio and video to our listeners. Please visit...
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Previewing the 2024 Power Breakfast with Justin Chasco
Justin Chasco of Fredrikson & Byron joins the podcast to discuss CFC's upcoming Power Breakfast event, which will celebrate the 50th episode of the Electric Wire podcast. Registration and info about the event can be found here:...
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Overview of Vista Sands Solar Project in Central WI with Jon Baker
Jon Baker, Project Manager of the proposed Vista Sands Solar Project in Central Wisconsin, joins the Electric Wire to discuss the process, opportunities, and challenges that come with siting a large solar project. Read Jon’s recent opinion column highlighting the project, here:...
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Powering Wisconsin with Peder Mewis and Mike Kuglitsch
On Episode 47 of the Electric Wire, we discuss the steps Powering Wisconsin is taking to help include utility-scale renewable energy in Wisconsin’s generation portfolio and the process it takes to get more renewable energy sited here in Wisconsin. Special guests include Peder Mewis, Clean Grid...
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Consumer Issues, Data Centers, and Recapping the NASUCA Conference with Tom Content
Tom Content, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, joins host Kristin Gilkes to recap the recent NASUCA Conference in Madison, WI, and the issues discussed at the conference, such as data centers, transmission, EV buildout, innovative rate designs, and more. CFC's Power...
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Wisconsin Moving Forward with National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
Wisconsin is taking action to access federal funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program which will help install EV fast charging stations along the state's major highway corridors. Our special guests for this episode include: Emma Heins of the Electrification Coalition…
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Chairperson Rebecca Valcq Reflects on Her Time Leading the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Chairperson Rebecca Valcq joins us to reflect on her five years leading the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin as she prepares for her final day at the agency on February 2, 2024. We discuss her proudest moments, biggest challenges, memorable cases, and much more. Lori Sakk, Executive…
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2023 Year-in-Review Roundtable and Highlight Clips
The year-in-review roundtable is back with both new and familiar faces to help us recap this year in Wisconsin energy news. We discuss the top stories, ideas, and developments in 2023, as well as making some predictions for the year ahead. Our special guests include: · Kara Pennoyer, Chief of…
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All About Focus On Energy, Wisconsin's Statewide Energy Efficiency Program
Wisconsin’s state-wide energy efficiency program, Focus on Energy, helps electric customers achieve cost-savings through energy conservation measures. Our guests on this episode discuss more about the program, why it was created, what’s in it for customers, costs and benefits, the program’s...
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MEUW Celebrates with Public Power on Parade at the State Capitol
As the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, or MEUW, celebrated its 95th birthday on October 18, 2023, the organization brought municipal utility leaders from across the state to the State Capitol to share the benefits of public power in their communities. The celebration culminated with a...
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Tours at MGE EV Fast Charging Hub and O’Brien Solar Fields
On today’s episode, we are bringing listeners along for two recent, in-person tours hosted by CFC for our members. Our first stop was at Madison Gas and Electric’s fast-charging hub for electric vehicles in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. The fast-charging hub features sixteen fast-charging stalls,...
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Marcus Hawkins discusses his role leading the Organization of MISO States
Our special guest Marcus Hawkins, Executive Director, Organization of MISO States (OMS), walks us through some of the day-to-day functions of OMS, how he keeps up with proceedings at the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), and his view on the benefits of Regional Transmission…
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Cindy Smith discusses public participation and process at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Cindy Smith has served as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for over a decade and across three administrations. She joins the Electric Wire to discuss her role at the PSCW, ways the public can participate in the PSCW’s deliberative process, and how the energy...
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Exploring the possibility of pumped hydro energy storage within abandoned mines with Dairyland Power Cooperative and Michigan Tech University
Mine storage is a specific form of pumped hydro energy storage that is currently being explored in a partnership between Dairyland Power Cooperative, Michigan Technological University, and Sweden-based Mine Storage. This episode of the Electric Wire podcast includes executives from Dairyland…
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Considerations When Installing Solar Power at Your Home or Business
This episode examines some consumer issues associated with residential and commercial solar installations. Potential solar customers have many good options for reputable installers to work with, and by doing due diligence and planning, customers can feel confident they are making a sound...
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2023 Power Breakfast, Part 2 (The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix)
We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 2," covers the second half of the event, featuring remarks from: -Panel Moderator: Ellen Nowak,...
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2023 Power Breakfast, Part 1 (The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix)
We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This podcast episode, "2023 Power Breakfast, Part 1," covers the first half of the event, featuring remarks from: - Senator Melissa Agard…
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Consumer Advocates at Work for Customers
Consumer advocates are statutorily-designated organizations that represent the interests of customers before public utility commissions. David Springe, Executive Director, National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, and Tom Content, Executive Director, Citizens Utility Board of...
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Commissioner Ellen Nowak Reflects on her time at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Commissioner Ellen Nowak joined the Electric Wire podcast to reflect back on her 11 years at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, as her term comes to a close on March 1, 2023. Nowak joined episode co-hosts Sen. Julian Bradley (R-Franklin), Chair of Wisconsin's Senate Committee on…
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Assessing the Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act
All about the Inflation Reduction Act! Our panel breaks down some of the major energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), federal legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022, which included sweeping changes to existing renewable energy production and...
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Third Annual Year-in-Review Roundtable
The Year-in-Review crew is back to discuss all things energy in 2022. Our panel answers questions about their top energy stories, ideas, projects, and podcast episodes of the year! Topics this year include: the Inflation Reduction Act, energy reliability, nuclear fusion, the Inflation Reduction...
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Getting to Know Wisconsin's Electric Cooperatives
Rob Richard of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives Association joins Kristin Gilkes as co-host of the latest episode of the Electric Wire, which is all about electric cooperatives. We’ll meet representatives from four electric cooperatives from across the state, including: · Robert Cornell,...
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Rooted in Community: Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin
In this episode, we will learn more about the 81 cities, towns and villages across Wisconsin that own and operate a municipal electric utility. These municipal utilities are organized together through the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin (MEUW), and we brought together a panel of experts...
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Shining a Light on Investor-Owned Utilities with Jeff Keebler, CEO of Madison Gas and Electric
We take a closer look at the investor-owned utility model with Jeff Keebler, Chairman, President, and CEO of Madison Gas and Electric. Jeff shares more insights on how investor-owned utilities work, how they're regulated, and the new technologies changing the power dynamics in the industry....
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The Reality of Retail Choice with Laurel Peltier
Laurel Peltier of the Maryland Energy Supplier Reform Coalition joins to discuss her first-hand experience with retail choice in Maryland. Laurel helps customers decipher their energy bills and has found countless examples of customers who would be saving money if they had stayed with their...
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Taking the Industry By Storm: The First F150 Lightning EV is Here
[Note: Audio Only Episode] New Ford F150 Lightning owners Nick and Alicia Schmidt join the Electric Wire to share some of their experiences as the first recipients of Ford's F150 Lightning EV. We discuss EV charging, the Lightning's infamous "frunk", and their experience towing an Airstream…
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Nuclear Power, Reliability, & Global Weirding with Andy Bochman and Bob Stone
Andy Bochman, Senior Grid Strategist, Idaho National Lab and Bob Stone, Business Manager, IBEW 2150, join host Kristin Gilkes to discuss a range of issues including preserving jobs and reliability in the coal to cleaner power transition, and how Andy's coined the term "global weirding." A...
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Nuclear Power and the Clean Energy Transition with Brent Ridge
Brent Ridge, President and CEO, Dairyland Power Cooperative, and Phil Montgomery, former Wisconsin legislator and PSCW Chairperson, join host Kristin Gilkes, Executive Director, Customers First! Coalition, to discuss the future of nuclear power in Wisconsin and how new small modular reactor (SMR)...
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Previewing CFC's May 3 Power Dialogue Event on Electric Vehicles
Matthew Spencer of Madison Gas & Electric joins host Kristin Gilkes for a short conversation previewing an upcoming event hosted by the Customers First! Coalition to discuss state policies impacting electric vehicle adoption. The event is titled "CFC Power Dialogue: A Candid Conversation about...
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The Future of Utilities with Rebecca Ryan and Lauren Azar
Rebecca Ryan and Lauren Azar join the Electric Wire for a conversation about change in the energy industry and in our world. Rebecca, one of the nation’s leading futurists, discusses local and global trends that everyone should be preparing for. Lauren, one of America’s most respected utility...
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Capitol Briefing on Winter Heating Bills
On February 23, 2022, several legislators invited representatives from Wisconsin’s investor-owned utilities to provide information to legislative offices at the Wisconsin State Capitol about the higher-than-average costs of natural gas heating bills this winter. On this episode of the Electric…
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A Second Wind: Recycling Wind Turbine Blades
Episode 21 of the Electric Wire podcast features a conversation about wind turbine blade recycling with Nicholas Killen, Director, Head of Manufacturing Lifecycle Services, Regional Manufacturing AME, Vestas Blades. Commissioner Tyler Huebner of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin joins...
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2021 Year-in-Review Roundtable
The Year-in-Review Crew is back to break down the top energy stories and ideas of 2021! Carrie Templeton, Heather Allen, Chris Hubbuch, and Matthew Spencer join to share their picks for top energy story, idea, and shock of the year, along with their predictions for 2022 and, of course, what…
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Deconstructing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework with Denise Bode
How closely have you been tracking the energy provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF) that recently passed Congress? Denise Bode, Partner at Michael Best Strategies, and Senior Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLC, helps us deconstruct the BIF and the Build Back Better plan...
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New Energy for an Old Coal Plant: Beloit College Powerhouse Tour and Interview with Dan Schooff
Is there a second life for retired power plants? We joined Dan Schooff, currently the Chief of Staff and Secretary at Beloit College, and a former Beloit-area legislator and WI Department of Administration Secretary, to tour the Beloit College Powerhouse on the banks of the Rock River to see the...
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Navigating the Roadmap to Zero Carbon Docket with Joe Fontaine
Sit back, crack open a PBR, and enjoy the latest episode of the Electric Wire podcast featuring an interview with Joe Fontaine, the case coordinator for the Public Service of Wisconsin’s current open docket on the Roadmap to Zero Carbon (5-EI-158). Joe helps navigate the Commission’s recent order...
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A Lucid EV Conversation with Daniel Witt
Daniel Witt, Head of State and Local Public Policy at Lucid Motors, joins the podcast to discuss more about Lucid, the benefits of electric vehicles, EV battery reuse and recycling, making supply chains local, and policies impacting the electric vehicle industry. Links mentioned in the episode:...
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Thinking Outside the Landfill: A Conversation About Solar Panel Recycling
Not only is the energy produced by solar panels clean, but cutting-edge recycling technology makes them fully sustainable as well. On this episode of The Electric Wire, Kristin Gilkes is joined by Chris Stearns, National Sales Director at Cascade Eco Minerals, to discuss solar module recycling…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Electric Wire have?
The Electric Wire currently has 64 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Electric Wire about?
The Electric Wire Podcast is a production of the Customers First! Coalition, featuring Wisconsin energy and utilities interviews and news.
How often does The Electric Wire release new episodes?
The Electric Wire has 64 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Electric Wire?
You can listen to The Electric Wire on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Electric Wire?
The Electric Wire is created and hosted by Customers First! Coalition.
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