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Welcome to a special Hall of Fame edition of The State of Energy, hosted by Rand DeWitt and Tom Clark, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Propane Association in alliance with the Colorado Propane Gas Association.

This episode features a heavyweight guest in the energy world — author, journalist, and documentary producer Robert Bryce — for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest issues shaping America’s energy future.

The discussion dives into Winter Storm Fern vs. Winter Storm Uri, why duration and fuel diversity matter during extreme weather, and how hydrocarbons like propane and natural gas continue to prove critical when the grid is under pressure. Tom and Rand also explore Department of Energy emergency orders, data center power demand, and whether behind-the-meter generation actually helped stabilize the grid during recent cold snaps.

Robert Bryce shares insights on:

• The real lessons from major winter storms and grid resilience
• Chris Wright and the current direction of U.S. energy policy
• The nuclear comeback and the rise of mini-reactors
• Why Big Tech and data centers may consume the next wave of new power generation
• Energy poverty, global electrification, and supply chain constraints
• Court battles over electrification mandates and fuel choice

The conversation also brings it back home to energy consumers — highlighting how propane for heating, water heating, cooking, and backup power can reduce grid demand, improve resilience, and strengthen energy security for rural and urban communities alike.

With signature humor, policy insight, and a few off-the-grid moments (including UFO energy theories and baseball rule reform), this episode blends serious energy analysis with the classic State of Energy banter listeners expect.

Presented by Metsa Tanks and fueled by real-world energy conversations that matter — from the Rockies to the national stage.