Shows / The Electric Wire
The Electric Wire
The Electric Wire Podcast is a production of the Customers First! Coalition, featuring Wisconsin energy and utilities interviews and news.
Episodes
- The Electric Wire
How Much Energy Is Enough? Energy-Limiting Behaviors and Affordability with Dr. Destenie Nock
A low energy bill doesn’t always tell the whole story aboutaffordability. Dr. Destenie Nock joins The Electric Wire to discuss a concept she developed called…
- The Electric Wire
Peter Barca on Wisconsin’s Changing Energy Mix
Former Wisconsin congressman and state legislative leader Peter Barca, who also served as Wisconsin's Department of Revenue Secretary, joins the Electric Wire…
- The Electric Wire
Commissioner Kristy Nieto on Consumer Issues & Upcoming Power Breakfast
Commissioner Kristy Nieto of the Public Service Commissionof Wisconsin joins the Electric Wire to discuss her background on consumer issues and the work she’s…
- The Electric Wire
PSCW Chairperson Summer Strand Previews Upcoming MARC Conference in Madison
In this episode of The Electric Wire, host Kristin Gilkes sits down with Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Chairperson Summer Strand to discuss the…
- The Electric Wire
Nuclear Energy’s Comeback? A Conversation with WisBusiness Reporter Alex Moe
Nuclear energy is back in the conversation in Wisconsin—and across the country. In this episode of The Electric Wire, host Kristin Gilkes sits down with Alex…
- The Electric Wire
2025 Highlight Clips
In 2025, discussions on the Electric Wire podcast centered around reliability, affordability, and regulation in a time of load growth. This year-in-review…
- The Electric Wire
Public Power Innovation: Inside MPU’s Refuel Renewable Project
In this episode of The Electric Wire, we explore how Manitowoc Public Utilities is turning waste into energy — and reshaping what renewable, dispatchable power…
- The Electric Wire
The True Cost of Electric Deregulation with Power for Tomorrow
Gary Meltz and Brad Viator of Power for Tomorrow join the podcast to discuss how the regulated electric utility model protects customers, how deregulation…
- The Electric Wire
Power Check: Insights on Wisconsin’s Energy Reliability
What does the data really say about the reliability of Wisconsin’s electric grid amid rising demand and evolving energy needs? Host Kristin Gilkes is joined by…
- The Electric Wire
Power Breakfast 2025 - Data Centers and Energy Use
CFC's 2025 Power Breakfast featured discussions about data centers and energy use. Thanks to WisconsinEye for providing coverage of the event; please visit…
- The Electric Wire
Staying Connected with Rep. Adam Neylon
Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss legislative guiding principles, his personal perspective on nuclear power, load growth, and…
- The Electric Wire
Good Energy and the Power of the People with Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde
Wisconsin State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) joins the Electric Wire to discuss recent legislative initiatives, energy policy, and…
- The Electric Wire
2024 Year-in-Review Roundtable + 2025 Predictions
Our year-in-review crew is back to reflect on 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Special guests include: Kara Pennoyer, Chief of Staff to Public Service Commission…
- The Electric Wire
Episode 50! The 2024 Power Breakfast featuring Marcus Hawkins, Laurel Peltier, Brent Ridge, and more
Earlier this year we celebrated some of our top episodes of the Electric Wire podcast in person by inviting previous podcast guests to Madison to speak at our…
- The Electric Wire
Previewing the 2024 Power Breakfast with Justin Chasco
Justin Chasco of Fredrikson & Byron joins the podcast to discuss CFC's upcoming Power Breakfast event, which will celebrate the 50th episode of the Electric…
- The Electric Wire
Overview of Vista Sands Solar Project in Central WI with Jon Baker
Jon Baker, Project Manager of the proposed Vista Sands Solar Project in Central Wisconsin, joins the Electric Wire to discuss the process, opportunities, and…
- The Electric Wire
Powering Wisconsin with Peder Mewis and Mike Kuglitsch
On Episode 47 of the Electric Wire, we discuss the steps Powering Wisconsin is taking to help include utility-scale renewable energy in Wisconsin’s generation…
- The Electric Wire
Consumer Issues, Data Centers, and Recapping the NASUCA Conference with Tom Content
Tom Content, Executive Director of the Citizens Utility Board of Wisconsin, joins host Kristin Gilkes to recap the recent NASUCA Conference in Madison, WI, and…
- The Electric Wire
Wisconsin Moving Forward with National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan
Wisconsin is taking action to access federal funding through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program which will help install EV fast charging…
The Electric WireChairperson Rebecca Valcq Reflects on Her Time Leading the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Chairperson Rebecca Valcq joins us to reflect on her five years leading the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin as she prepares for her final day at the…
The Electric Wire2023 Year-in-Review Roundtable and Highlight Clips
The year-in-review roundtable is back with both new and familiar faces to help us recap this year in Wisconsin energy news. We discuss the top stories, ideas…
The Electric WireAll About Focus On Energy, Wisconsin's Statewide Energy Efficiency Program
Wisconsin’s state-wide energy efficiency program, Focus on Energy, helps electric customers achieve cost-savings through energy conservation measures. Our…
The Electric WireMEUW Celebrates with Public Power on Parade at the State Capitol
As the Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin, or MEUW, celebrated its 95th birthday on October 18, 2023, the organization brought municipal utility leaders…
The Electric WireTours at MGE EV Fast Charging Hub and O’Brien Solar Fields
On today’s episode, we are bringing listeners along for two recent, in-person tours hosted by CFC for our members. Our first stop was at Madison Gas and…
The Electric WireMarcus Hawkins discusses his role leading the Organization of MISO States
Our special guest Marcus Hawkins, Executive Director, Organization of MISO States (OMS), walks us through some of the day-to-day functions of OMS, how he keeps…
The Electric WireCindy Smith discusses public participation and process at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Cindy Smith has served as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin for over a decade and across three administrations. She joins…
The Electric WireExploring the possibility of pumped hydro energy storage within abandoned mines with Dairyland Power Cooperative and Michigan Tech University
Mine storage is a specific form of pumped hydro energy storage that is currently being explored in a partnership between Dairyland Power Cooperative, Michigan…
The Electric WireConsiderations When Installing Solar Power at Your Home or Business
This episode examines some consumer issues associated with residential and commercial solar installations. Potential solar customers have many good options for…
The Electric Wire2023 Power Breakfast, Part 2 (The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix)
We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This…
The Electric Wire2023 Power Breakfast, Part 1 (The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix)
We are bringing you event audio from CFC's Power Breakfast in Madison on April 13, 2023, titled "The Role of Nuclear Power in Wisconsin's Energy Mix." This…
- The Electric Wire
Consumer Advocates at Work for Customers
Consumer advocates are statutorily-designated organizations that represent the interests of customers before public utility commissions. David Springe…
The Electric WireCommissioner Ellen Nowak Reflects on her time at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Commissioner Ellen Nowak joined the Electric Wire podcast to reflect back on her 11 years at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, as her term comes to a…
The Electric WireAssessing the Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act
All about the Inflation Reduction Act! Our panel breaks down some of the major energy provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), federal legislation…
The Electric WireThird Annual Year-in-Review Roundtable
The Year-in-Review crew is back to discuss all things energy in 2022. Our panel answers questions about their top energy stories, ideas, projects, and podcast…
The Electric WireGetting to Know Wisconsin's Electric Cooperatives
Rob Richard of the Wisconsin Electric Cooperatives Association joins Kristin Gilkes as co-host of the latest episode of the Electric Wire, which is all about…
The Electric WireRooted in Community: Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin
In this episode, we will learn more about the 81 cities, towns and villages across Wisconsin that own and operate a municipal electric utility. These municipal…
The Electric WireShining a Light on Investor-Owned Utilities with Jeff Keebler, CEO of Madison Gas and Electric
We take a closer look at the investor-owned utility model with Jeff Keebler, Chairman, President, and CEO of Madison Gas and Electric. Jeff shares more…
- The Electric Wire
The Reality of Retail Choice with Laurel Peltier
Laurel Peltier of the Maryland Energy Supplier Reform Coalition joins to discuss her first-hand experience with retail choice in Maryland. Laurel helps…
- The Electric Wire
Taking the Industry By Storm: The First F150 Lightning EV is Here
[Note: Audio Only Episode] New Ford F150 Lightning owners Nick and Alicia Schmidt join the Electric Wire to share some of their experiences as the first…
The Electric WireNuclear Power, Reliability, & Global Weirding with Andy Bochman and Bob Stone
Andy Bochman, Senior Grid Strategist, Idaho National Lab and Bob Stone, Business Manager, IBEW 2150, join host Kristin Gilkes to discuss a range of issues…
- The Electric Wire
Nuclear Power and the Clean Energy Transition with Brent Ridge
Brent Ridge, President and CEO, Dairyland Power Cooperative, and Phil Montgomery, former Wisconsin legislator and PSCW Chairperson, join host Kristin Gilkes…
- The Electric Wire
Previewing CFC's May 3 Power Dialogue Event on Electric Vehicles
Matthew Spencer of Madison Gas & Electric joins host Kristin Gilkes for a short conversation previewing an upcoming event hosted by the Customers First!…
- The Electric Wire
The Future of Utilities with Rebecca Ryan and Lauren Azar
Rebecca Ryan and Lauren Azar join the Electric Wire for a conversation about change in the energy industry and in our world. Rebecca, one of the nation’s…
- The Electric Wire
Capitol Briefing on Winter Heating Bills
On February 23, 2022, several legislators invited representatives from Wisconsin’s investor-owned utilities to provide information to legislative offices at…
- The Electric Wire
A Second Wind: Recycling Wind Turbine Blades
Episode 21 of the Electric Wire podcast features a conversation about wind turbine blade recycling with Nicholas Killen, Director, Head of Manufacturing…
- The Electric Wire
2021 Year-in-Review Roundtable
The Year-in-Review Crew is back to break down the top energy stories and ideas of 2021! Carrie Templeton, Heather Allen, Chris Hubbuch, and Matthew Spencer…
- The Electric Wire
Deconstructing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework with Denise Bode
How closely have you been tracking the energy provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework (BIF) that recently passed Congress? Denise Bode, Partner…
- The Electric Wire
New Energy for an Old Coal Plant: Beloit College Powerhouse Tour and Interview with Dan Schooff
Is there a second life for retired power plants? We joined Dan Schooff, currently the Chief of Staff and Secretary at Beloit College, and a former Beloit-area…
- The Electric Wire
Navigating the Roadmap to Zero Carbon Docket with Joe Fontaine
Sit back, crack open a PBR, and enjoy the latest episode of the Electric Wire podcast featuring an interview with Joe Fontaine, the case coordinator for the…
- The Electric Wire
A Lucid EV Conversation with Daniel Witt
Daniel Witt, Head of State and Local Public Policy at Lucid Motors, joins the podcast to discuss more about Lucid, the benefits of electric vehicles, EV…
- The Electric Wire
Thinking Outside the Landfill: A Conversation About Solar Panel Recycling
Not only is the energy produced by solar panels clean, but cutting-edge recycling technology makes them fully sustainable as well. On this episode of The…
- The Electric Wire
Ten Powerful Moments on the Electric Wire
We’ve been bringing you the Electric Wire podcast as a way to stay informed on Wisconsin energy and utility news since February of 2020, and we thought it was…
- The Electric Wire
Hot Take: Community Solar
The latest episode of the Electric Wire is a “hot take” episode, where we’ve conducted four separate mini-interviews, about 5-6 minutes each, to talk about…
- The Electric Wire
Energy Assistance During the Pandemic
On this episode, our goal is to help listeners better understand how energy assistance is administered, how pandemic-related funding is being distributed, and…
- The Electric Wire
Regulation, Reliability…and Texas
Widespread power outages and skyrocketing customer bills due to a frigid February freeze in Texas are raising questions about the way the state regulates power…
- The Electric Wire
Coal Plant Closures and the Clean Energy Transition
With so much breaking energy news, co-hosts Kristin Gilkes (CFC) and Tom Content (CUB) first review recent headlines, including: the announced closure of the…
- The Electric Wire
Utility Regulation and Protecting Customers
We’re talking utility regulation! We start with a simple question – why are utilities regulated? (Ok, this question technically doesn’t get asked until minute…
- The Electric Wire
2020 Year-in-Review Roundtable
What was the energy story of 2020? What about the "shock" of the year? Who's got the next bright idea for 2021? On the latest episode of The Electric Wire…
- The Electric Wire
2020 Election Recap and Government Affairs Roundtable
In this episode of the Electric Wire, we take a look at polling and the 2020 Presidential Election results with pollster Charles Franklin, @pollsandvotes…
- The Electric Wire
Building Together
Kristin Gilkes is joined by Marge Anderson, Executive Vice President at Slipstream, to discuss green buildings and the upcoming October Energy webinar series…