2025.09.26 | AI Demand Shock: Washington's Wild Energy Policy Flip-Flops
Description
The federal government is simultaneously yanking over $13 billion in unobligated clean energy funds while forcing old coal plants to stay online via emergency "must-run" orders, all to meet unprecedented AI demand. This collision of aggressive industrial policy and massive load growth is creating maximum policy risk and regulatory volatility across the electric sector, amplified by major delays and the proposed rescission of key GHG regulations. Learn how these sudden policy reversals create enormous financial uncertainty and contribute directly to soaring US electricity costs, which were up nearly 10% nationally by July 2025. We unpack the central paradox, analyze who is bearing the financial risk, and examine how utilities are tactically responding to redefine grid reliability.