The GT Power Hour: Episode 14 (What Would Cheryl Do?: The Game Show)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 14 (What Would Cheryl Do?: The Game Show)

In which we pressure Cheryl LaFleur, the former-FERC commissioner and current distinguished visiting fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, for hot takes on her fields of expertise – specifically the ones where her beloved New England Patriots are playing. Hustling as efficiently as a Tom Brady two-minute drill, we also go deep into the nuances of carbon pricing, how annoying fellow former-FERC Commissioner Rob Powelson was, the importance of not imputing bad intent from colleagues, maintaining FERC/state relationships, ensuring someone is responsible for and authorized to maintain reliability (we’re looking at you, California…), the ongoing transition to the grid of the future, being put in “the odd position of trying to explain climate skepticism” and the idyllic atmosphere for a dirty vodka martini. Don’t miss a minute!

The GT Power Hour: Episode 13 (One Hill of an Interview!)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 13 (One Hill of an Interview!)

In which we sit down with Calpine President/CEO Thad Hill for our first “executive interview” and end up picking his brain about everything from insights from leading the company back to private ownership in 2018 to how Vice President Biden can earn cred for his campaign’s environmental platform to whether the Ivy League or the SEC has the most insufferable fans. Oh yeah, there’s also carbon pricing, capacity markets, what’s gone wrong (and right) in California, which Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is currently on his nightstand and our requisite (but brief) ruminations on sports. It’s worth a listen during your one-hour workout.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 12 (How to Handle a Scandal: A Utility Commissioner's Guide)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 12 (How to Handle a Scandal: A Utility Commissioner's Guide)

In which we task Todd Snitchler, President/CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA), with leveraging his experiences as both a state legislator and utility-commission chairman in Ohio to help us break down the FirstEnergy and ComEd nuclear-subsidy legislation scandals, offer unsolicited advice to state officials across the board and ponder whether the way things are will ever change. The responses may surprise you… We go on to discuss EPSA’s role as the vanguard of competition in electricity markets, Todd’s roots in the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York, a comparison of dive bars in capital cities and the best golf course for somewhat-middling skills.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 11 (New Jersey Brand Recognition)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 11 (New Jersey Brand Recognition)

In which we ask Stefanie Brand, the the Director for the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel, to not only defend her adopted state but also hold it accountable, which – as the state’s consumer advocate, she of course does with aplomb. FRR, MOPR, ZECs… they’re all here – as is the Taylor Ham/Pork Roll controversy, why everyone dumps on NJ, whether Central Jersey exists, love for New York, Pennsylvania, Jacob DeGrom and Michelle Obama, living as a Mets fan, the Jersey Shore Sound and feeling like an underdog, Eagles vs. Giants, Phillies vs. Mets (and why that’s even the question)… all-Jersey all the time on this episode. Check it while you’re chilling down the shore.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 10 (Primetime Glick! FERC-Style)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 10 (Primetime Glick! FERC-Style)

In which we spend quality time with the lone Democrat at FERC, Commissioner Richard Glick, who delves deep into his relationship with the three Republicans on the Commission, how he approaches the fraught dynamics of maintaining personal relationships with coworkers with whom he’s ideologically opposed, his thoughts on minimum offer-price rules (MOPRs), his preference for a national carbon price, why the social cost of carbon should be included in judging the value of proposed pipeline projects, why sports fanaticism is the workplace is a good thing and, finally, the many contributions of the late, great George Carlin.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 9 (The NOPR, the MOPR and some guy named Harper: A Chat with the Chairman)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 9 (The NOPR, the MOPR and some guy named Harper: A Chat with the Chairman)

In which we go toe to toe with the man himself, FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee. Actually, it’s quite cordial because, as the Chairman makes clear from the jump, he likes his reputation as a “people person” and works very hard to maintain it. Also: What it was like behind the scenes during the tumultuous beginning of his tenure, if he takes any of the criticism and accusations of politicizing the office personally, why he doesn’t consider it work, when the University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team will win the NCAA National Championship again, who Bryce Harper is and where he goes to listen to the GT Power Hour.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 8 (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to PJM’s Annual Meeting…)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 8 (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to PJM’s Annual Meeting…)

In which we discuss how the Annual Meeting was done – for the first time – all by conference call; the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – including estimates on how it will impact PJM’s bottom line; the unsung heroes of the energy business; a fond farewell to two big names at PJM; Michael Moore’s new documentary “Planet of the Humans” and a cameo by a previous guest of the podcast; Lebanon County, Pennsylvania; the horse latitudes; the Washington Redskins; and PJM CEO/President Manu Asthana’s first five months on the job.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 7 (COVID-19, Competitive Planning and Canned Salmon: The Better Portion of an Hour with Former FERC Commissioner Phil Moeller)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 7 (COVID-19, Competitive Planning and Canned Salmon: The Better Portion of an Hour with Former FERC Commissioner Phil Moeller)

In which we learn many things about former FERC Commissioner (and current Executive Vice President of Business Operations Group and Regulatory Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute) Phil Moeller, including his extensive experience with Alaskan salmon canning, EEI’s efforts to proactively address the COVID-19 pandemic and his thoughts on FERC’s proposed revisions to PURPA.

The GT Power Hour: Episode 6 (The Stanek Inquisition)

The GT Power Hour: Episode 6 (The Stanek Inquisition)

In which we interrogate (in a nice, friendly way) Maryland Public Service Commission Chairman Jason Stanek about COVID-19, the MOPR, NIMBYs, offshore wind and nuclear bailouts, and he divulges… his love of landscaping.