As artificial intelligence accelerates its footprint across industries, the demand for reliable, scalable electricity is surging at an unprecedented pace. This panel explores the cascading effects of this transformation--how AI workloads, grid modernization efforts, and the pursuit of cost-effective firm energy resources are reshaping the energy landscape and intensifying the need for natural gas. We'll examine the economic consequences of stranded energy--resources that are generated but cannot be delivered due to transmission bottlenecks, regulatory hurdles, or market mismatches. These inefficiencies not only represent lost revenue and wasted investment, but also hinder decarbonization goals and regional economic development. Panelists will discuss: -Why natural gas remains a critical and essential fuel in the era of AI-driven electricity demand -How data centers and intelligent infrastructure are redefining energy reliability and flexibility -The hidden costs of stranded energy and its ripple effects on local economies and national competitiveness -Policy, investment, and innovation strategies to unlock stranded capacity and meet firm energy needs Join us for a forward-looking conversation on how to align infrastructure and market design with the realities of a digitized, electrified future.

On July 7, 2025, the Department of Energy released its Report on Evaluating U.S. Grid Reliability and Security concluding that current retirement schedules and exploding demands from emerging technologies and manufacturing in most regions will result in unacceptable reliability risks within five years. A recent article in Fortune Magazine highlights the catastrophic result of decades of stalled federal initiatives and misplaced energy investment priorities. American cities' power grids are so weak that technology companies are building their own power plants rather than relying on existing grids. The public is growing increasingly frustrated over increasing energy costs while energy companies prepare for a sea-change of surging demand. A Goldman Sachs report frames the crisis simply: "AI's insatiable power demand is outpacing the grid's decade-long development cycles, creating a critical bottleneck." As a result, data center developers on a fast pace are looking for "behind the meter" new construction or decommissioned natural gas fired generation plants to bring back to life. Federal agencies are also quickly opening up public land for the rapid development of natural gas power generation collocated with AI data centers to meet national economic and security priorities. The panel will detail initiatives underway using emergency authorities to reduce regulatory obstacles, expedite permitting, and complete construction of large-scale gas power projects.

As AI data centers surge in scale and demand, the question isn't just if a project is real--but whether it's ready to meet the market's expectations. This panel brings together leaders from Power Generation and Fuel Solutions alongside experts in AI infrastructure, energy policy, and sustainable development to explore what it truly takes to bring an AI data center online. From grid interconnection timelines and permitting hurdles to the role of nuclear energy and renewables in powering high-density compute, we'll unpack the technical, financial, and environmental realities behind the hype. Whether you're a developer, investor, or policymaker, this session will help you separate signal from noise--and understand how to build AI infrastructure that's not only fast, but future-proof.

This distinguished panel of two former Energy Secretaries and a former FERC Chair will discuss the aspects that Natural gas is playing in the critical role of meeting the surging energy demands of AI infrastructure. It has been described by current Department of Energy Secretary, Chris Wright as a “Manhattan Project 2.0,” underscoring the urgency to deploy all available energy resources—including renewables, nuclear, and especially natural gas—to support the exponential growth of data centers.
 Why Natural Gas Is Central to the AI Energy Strategy:

• Immediate scalability: Natural gas plants can be deployed faster than nuclear or large-scale renewables, making them ideal for short-term capacity expansion.
• Reliable backup: As AI data centers require uninterrupted power, natural gas offers a dependable backup to intermittent sources like solar and wind.
• Permitting flexibility: In certain states and regions, natural gas projects face fewer regulatory hurdles compared to other energy infrastructure, making them more feasible under tight timelines.

 AI as the New Energy Frontier:

• Massive power demand: AI data centers are projected to consume multiples more energy than traditional cloud computing, prompting comparisons to the energy intensity of Cold War-era scientific efforts.
• National security framing: Leaders like Energy Secretary Chris Wright have framed the AI energy race as a geopolitical imperative, especially in competition with China.
• DOE’s evolving role: Wright advocates for the government to “get out of the way” and let private innovation lead, while leveraging DOE labs and existing fossil infrastructure to accelerate deployment.

Policy Implications and Bipartisan Momentum:

• All-of-the-above strategy: Former officials are calling for a pragmatic blend of energy sources, moving beyond partisan divides to prioritize speed and reliability.
• Permitting reform: There’s growing consensus that streamlining federal approvals for natural gas and hybrid energy projects will be essential to meet AI-driven demand.

Unprecedented growth in data centers--driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital services--is reshaping the U.S. energy landscape. This panel will explore how surging demand from hyperscalers and data centers is pressuring utilities, natural gas suppliers, and electric power groups, and what it means for grid reliability, market dynamics, and policy frameworks. The Panel will examine the following pertinent and timely topics: -Market Impacts of Data Center growth, including nat gas-fired generation, storage & demand response -Transmission upgrades to ensure reliability -Strategies for siting and interconnection, ISO implications including permitting and interconnection queues -Balancing gas, renewables and storage -Hybrid resources (e.g. solar; storage) and virtual power plants -Policy and regulatory considerations (Federal & State); Coordination across regulatory agencies

With the surging demand for natural gas as a vital energy source, additional attention is warranted on ensuring optimal supply and delivery infrastructure to move energy from production sources to demand centers. Market participants across the value chain are faced with challenges every day in managing assets efficiently, profitably, and securely. This includes physical as well as digital (data) assets. Fortunately, a variety of solution providers are focused on this market, and they continue to offer innovative technology solutions to solve challenges faced by asset operators. This Panel expert technology solution providers focused on energy, will identify several common challenges and provide real-life examples of technology solutions available to overcome hurdles, while improving efficiency, profitability and security.

Please join our hosts, the Corporate Sponsors, at a cocktail reception in your honor. Don't make your dinner plans too early as hors d'oeuvres and an open bar will be the highlight of this extremely well attended session!