Electric co-ops don’t always get the attention of the utility giants, but they quietly keep the lights on for about 42 million Americans. And, as Bethany and Teresa discover, they may also deliver lower bills, fewer outages, better communication, and an occasional credit on your electric bill. Imagine that!

This week, we dig into why electric co-ops were created, how rural communities took electrification into their own hands, and why the cooperative model still matters nearly a century later. We also tackle the misconception that co-ops are somehow behind the times. Spoiler alert: Many are innovative, responsive, and exceptionally well positioned to test the technologies shaping the grid’s future.

Data from NRECA.

Bethany and Teresa throw out the script this week to just chat about what's on their minds, energy gal to energy gal. Conversations about the latest FERC actions, why so many people have gas generators where Teresa lives, an update on her beef with the neighborhood Corgi, data forecasting, and more, all off script.

Which, to be fair, is usually what happens around minute three anyway. Also, as excited as she was, Bethany was not correct. Ohio did lead the way in setting up guardrails around data centers and energy use. Better luck next time!

What can a people-led solar revolution in Pakistan teach the rest of the world? A lot. Teresa and Bethany sit down with Zeshan Khalid of the Watt's Next podcast to discuss how a climate-changed fueled fatal flood spurred a solar revolution that has completely changed the face of energy in Pakistan.

Renewables First guide to breaking down the CTBCM

FERC 2222 set the stage for being able to use residential loads to use third party aggregators to access selling stored power or coordinated demand reductions.

The problem? Not enough utilities came to the party, access to data is still a bottleneck, and what started as something so promising is now stagnating while the grid groans under pressure.

What can be done to unlock the promise of FERC 2222? And why is Teresa beefing with a Corgi?

LEAP

1A, The Data Center Debate

Public Safety Power Shutoffs are becoming normal, addressing safety concerns around high winds, wildfires and weather events. But should they be? Power companies have one job, keep the power on, and there are tools and technologies to help them do just that in a variety of scenarios.

So why aren't they? In this episode, Teresa and Bethany talk about the whys and why nots.

Link to the Kennywood microburst in Pittsburgh, PA.

Natural gas has quietly shaped the last 25 years of energy policy, global politics, and the electric grid itself. In this episode, we unpack how the U.S. went from fearing shortages to becoming an energy powerhouse, why pipelines and fixed charges matter more than most people realize, and the contradictions at the heart of today's electrification debate. It's a conversation about unintended consequences, feel-good narratives, and the systems we depend on, whether we acknowledge them or not.

Link to the story on the Fairport Harbor gas explosion.

The podcast episode delves into the topic of data usage in the utility world, exploring the challenges and opportunities it presents. It discusses the transition from pilot programs to scalability, the reluctance of utilities to embrace data, regulatory concerns, and the role of trust and transparency in shaping the future of energy and data.

From California to New York, who is doing it right? What does it take to get it right? And Spencer Pratt? Really?

Takeaways

• Data usage in the utility world is no longer seen as creepy, but as a valuable tool for understanding usage patterns.
• The transition from pilot programs to scalability requires a shift in mindset from surveillance to service, and a focus on building trust and transparency.

Energy prices have increased faster than the rate of inflation since 2022, with the average American seeing a 13% increase in their energy bills. With that backdrop, Bethany and Teresa discuss whether or not energy could ever be free (spoiler alert, it can't).

The real question is why can't it be free. Monopoly utilities? Aging infrastructure? Lack of resources? Overpaid CEOs?

The future of energy might be greener, but that doesn't mean it's going to be cheaper.

Ohio Electric Bills Are High - And So Are Utility CEO Salaries

PA Gov Shapiro Says Regulated Utility System Is 'Broken"