Political Climate

What if the fastest, cheapest fix for America’s power grid is hiding in plain sight?

On this episode of Political Climate, we dive into grid utilization — and how to unlock the massive untapped potential of a system that operates at just ~50% capacity (as Secretary Wright noted just last month).

With Ian Magruder (founder and executive director of the Utilize Coalition) and guest co-host Hillary O’Brien (managing director of clean power at ClearPath) we explore how solutions such as advanced transmission technologies and virtual power plants can unlock hundreds of gigawatts and deliver $100+ billion in savings — plus the policy changes needed to scale them.

At a moment of surging demand, is there really a debate between building more or finally using what we already have better?

Episode highlights:

1:38 - Roundup: SF Climate Week, cybersecurity & Chinese EVs on TikTok

9:12 - The case for grid utilization

14:47 - Companies to watch in the utilization space

17:18 - The "build" versus "use" debate

25:25 - Speed to power with DOE's $1.9 billion SPARK program

28:38 - Policy action to accelerate grid innovation & VA case study

39:20 - Better grid use transcends political divides

Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions.

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Gas prices are spiking as the Iran war disrupts global oil markets — so will this be the moment that finally supercharges EV adoption in the U.S.?

This week on Political Climate, we explore how past energy shocks have driven policy shifts aimed at greater energy diversification — and whether history is repeating itself, only with new stakes.

Avery Ash, CEO of Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE), joins the show to discuss how geopolitics, consumer behavior, and technological advancements are colliding at a pivotal moment.

Does the U.S. need a more strategic, policy-driven approach to energy security in an era of rising conflict and global competition?

Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions.

Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

March was defined by blown predictions, resilience, wins, losses, and last-minute turnarounds—and not just in college basketball. In many ways, those same forces are shaping the energy sector today.

Shane Battier—NCAA champion at Duke in 2001 and two-time NBA champion with the Miami Heat—knows a thing or two about performing under pressure. Now, he’s bringing that playbook to cleantech.

In this episode of Political Climate, we sit down with Shane to talk about what March Madness can teach us beyond the court. Then, we shift gears to break down some of the latest developments across the energy landscape, including:

21:45 - Key takeaways from CERA Week

30:40 - Powering AI: contrasting projects from Google and SB Energy 

33:11 - New efforts to boost grid utilization— not just build out

38:02 - A surprising coal comeback in Alaska an beyond

43:14 - vWhy the U.S. is paying TotalEnergies $1 billion to abandon offshore wind plans

48:24 - A Democratic bid to lower costs by restoring tax clean energy tax credits 

From the Final Four to the future of the grid—this episode covers the strategies, setbacks, and big bets shaping energy today.

Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions.

Subscribe to catch all of our latest episodes! And head on over to ⁠politicalclimatepodcast.com⁠ to sign up for our soon returning newsletter.

Energy is back at the center of politics. 

From war in the Middle East disrupting oil and LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz to AI-driven data centers sending U.S. power demand soaring, energy policy is shaping the road to the 2026 midterms. 

In the first episode back from a break, hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee sit down with Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) and former Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA) at the Winterfest conference to discuss: 

How conflict in the Middle East is rattling energy markets and American consumers — and whether it could strengthen the case for clean energy. 

How to protect ratepayers as AI data centers push up electricity demand and power prices — and who will own the affordability debate. 

Why some conservatives are warming to solar — and whether clean energy companies are getting more politically savvy. 

Plus, some podcast news! Political Climate has partnered with ClearPath, a leading conservative clean energy advocacy organization focused on advancing American energy innovation while reducing global emissions. To kick things off, Julia speaks with ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell.

Subscribe for smart conversations at the intersection of energy, climate, markets, and politics.

2025 has been one of the most turbulent years on record for U.S. climate and energy policy.

The One Big Beautiful Bill is in; the Inflation Reduction Act is out. Clean energy grants have been canceled, permits delayed, and federal priorities reshuffled. At the same time, electricity demand is surging, consumers are worried about affordability, and trade disputes are disrupting supply chains. Amid all this volatility, has the clean energy transition stalled?

To help make sense of it all, we’re joined by Jane Flegal, Executive Director of the Blue Horizons Foundation and former member of the Biden White House climate policy team, who brings a rare perspective spanning academia, philanthropy, government, and the private sector.

In this episode, we step back to assess the major forces shaping climate and energy today and in the months ahead—including the federal policy reset, the AI-energy nexus, and contentious geopolitics. Plus, how advocacy needs to evolve in light of these shifts.

Together with Jane, we unpack lessons learned from a wild year in climate and energy—and make some bold predictions about where we're headed next.

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Political Climate is hosted by Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut and Neil Chatterjee. Bruno Falcon is the show's producer. Check out redesigned website at www.politicalclimatepodcast.com and be sure to follow the show wherever you like to listen.

The podcast will be taking a couple month hiatus in early 2026 while one of our hosts is on maternity leave. But we’ll be back again with new episodes soon!