In this episode, Katie Harbath sits down with Sarah Hunt, President of the Rainey Center, for a wide-ranging conversation about the energy system powering the AI era. They dig into why AI’s rapidly growing electricity needs are now a national security issue, how state legislators are shaping the future of infrastructure, and what the U.S. must do to stay competitive as countries like China scale their energy capacity at unprecedented speed.
Together, they map out the real bottlenecks—permitting, grid modernization, workforce shortages—and the partnerships needed across government, industry, and communities to build an energy foundation strong enough to support innovation. This is a conversation about power, in every sense of the word, and why the choices we make now will determine what’s possible in the decades ahead.
Takeaways
* AI’s rising energy demand is becoming a central issue for innovation and national security.
* State legislators are key players in energy affordability, siting, and infrastructure decisions.
* Permitting and regulatory hurdles are slowing critical energy and grid projects.
* China is expanding energy infrastructure faster than the U.S., raising competitiveness concerns.
* Cross-sector collaboration is essential to meet future energy and AI needs.
* Public-private partnerships can accelerate innovation and modernize the grid.
* Community engagement is crucial for siting and sustaining energy projects.
* A skilled workforce—especially electricians and grid technicians—is urgently needed.
* The future of AI is directly tied to how the U.S. invests in energy infrastructure and national values.
Chapters
* 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection
* 03:32 The Rainy Center’s Mission and Focus Areas
* 06:15 Understanding Energy Demands in AI
* 08:50 Explaining Energy Strains to the General Public
* 13:03 State-Level Energy Policy and Legislative Focus
* 16:19 Federal Conversations and Policy Overlap
* 18:39 Global Energy Race: U.S. vs. China
* 25:52 The Future of AI and Energy Infrastructure
* 29:17 Partnerships and Collaborations for Progress
* 32:42 Convergence of Issues in Technology and Economy
* 33:08 Innovative Uses of Technology in Mining
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