In this episode of the Energy Perspectives Podcast, recorded at the North American Gas Forum in December 2025, former U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future leads a panel of former officials on the role of natural gas in energy affordability, reliability, and economic growth.

Former U.S. Representative Tim Ryan, former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter draw on their records in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The conversation runs from gas exports and coal displacement to household energy costs and the rising demand that AI and data centers place on the grid.

Key Themes:

• Natural gas, coal displacement, and emissions

• Energy affordability and reliability for households

• Jobs, manufacturing, and economic development

• Rising demand from AI and data centers

Note: This episode was recorded in December 2025, some references may no longer reflect current conditions.

Chapters

(0:00) Introduction

(0:38) Natural gas and the middle class

(2:46) Virginia's energy mix

(4:28) Pipelines and gas capacity

(5:45) Energy costs and housing

(8:02) Climate goals and reliability

(9:47) Pennsylvania gas exports

(10:16) The role of governors

(12:42) Data centers and energy demand

(13:15) Permitting and infrastructure

(15:11) New England energy costs

(17:38) Closing thoughts

Learn more about the North American Gas Forum: https://energy-dialogues.com/events/north-american-gas-forum/

Subscribe to our channel for more conversations from Energy Dialogues forums.

Follow Energy Dialogues:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-dialogues/
• Website: https://www.energy-dialogues.com