The Impact of the Midterm Elections on the Utility Industry

Matt Chester of Chester Energy and Policy recently had the pleasure of joining a USEA Virtual Press Briefing as a member of the media asking pointed questions to key leaders in the sector. The full details and video can be found at this USEA.org link, and the relevant information is also copied below.

The results of the midterm elections are finalized and Republicans have obtained a narrow majority in the House and the Democrats have retained the Senate.

For gas and electric utilities, the election has raised more questions than they have answered. Will the House clamp down on energy initiatives championed by the White House? Will certain interests seek to increase regulation of controversial components of the energy industry? 

Looking ahead, the outcome of the 2024 presidential election may greatly alter the prospect for renewables and concomitantly the rate at which utilities are being encouraged to decarbonize. If utilities that are drastically altering their generation mix proceed too rapidly, the investments could become stranded, not adequately supported by national policy. Equally, could an increase in hostility to fossil fuels undermine grid security?

Is the drive to net zero in 2050 getting bumpier or smoother because of the midterm elections and the COP27 climate summit in Egypt? What, if any, binding commitments will come out of the COP27? Will its conclusions dramatically impact the national agenda in the United States?

These critical questions and more will be addressed in this briefing, which will consist of a panel of experts taking questions from knowledgeable journalists. USEA Acting Executive Director Sheila Hollis will give opening remarks. Llewellyn King, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and broadcaster, organized this briefing and will moderate.

The general audience can submit questions using the Zoom Q&A function, but members of the media will be given preference. A recording will be made available after the briefing.

Experts: 
Kevin Curtis, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund
Eric Grey, Vice President, Government Relations, Edison Electric Institute
John Howes, Principal, Redland Energy Group
John Kotek, Senior Vice President, Nuclear Energy Institute
Barry Smitherman, Director, CenterPoint Energy

Reporters: 
Linda Gasparello, White House Chronicle
Jennifer Hiller, The Wall Street Journal
Robert Walton, Utility Dive
Rod Kuckro, Freelance
Matt Chester, Energy Central