Melody Birmingham

I’m excited to share the good news next week in Lincoln on how Questline Digital’s holistic approach to utility customer communications drives operational savings!

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Hear from key energy leaders as they discuss the transition to a more sustainable and resilient power grid. Topics include clean energy initiatives, grid reliability, innovation, and how regional utilities are preparing for increased demand and climate challenges. Featuring: • Don Eckert Jr., CEO, Pioneer Community Energy • Joe Wilson, Regional Vice President, Pacific Gas and Electric Company • Lora Anguay, Chief Zero Carbon Officer, SMUD • Shawn Matchim, COO, City of Roseville Electric Utility

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Strengthening cross-sector awareness and coordination across the energy value chain was a central focus at the Annual Natural Gas Readiness Forum Summit in Atlanta, where John Moura, NERC director of reliability assessments, delivered a presentation on the newly released 2025–2026 Winter Reliability Assessment. John highlighted the importance of electric-gas collaboration as he presented the winter outlook for the electric sector. He underscored how interdependencies between these systems are increasingly critical to maintaining reliability, particularly in extreme operating conditions, and how fuel-supply challenges and evolving resource mixes continue to shape system performance. Reflecting on these emerging challenges, Moura noted, “Increasing risks are emerging where fuel supply is uncertain,” reinforcing the need for cross-sector collaboration to strengthen readiness for the upcoming winter. NERC values the Natural Gas Readiness Forum as an important collaborative effort jointly sponsored by NARUC and the American Gas Association, bringing together leaders from both the electric and natural gas industries to enhance preparedness and improve coordination. #EnergyReliability #WinterReadiness #ElectricGasCoordination #NERC #AGA #NARUC

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See how Cardinal Operating Company and Ohio’s Electric Cooperative are investing to ensure reliability and resilience by deploying advanced continuous thermal monitoring of critical main transformers and associated power delivery assets with Power Intelligence’s patented PowerIntel analytics and RADIX thermal imaging sensors manufactured for Power Intelligence by Planck Vision Systems

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𝑭𝑼𝑬𝑳 𝑭𝑳𝑬𝑿𝑰𝑩𝑰𝑳𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑰𝑵 𝑨𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 More great news from the US where Wärtsilä Energy is partnering with East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) to supply the engineering and equipment for a 217 MW power plant in Liberty, Kentucky! 🌟 The facility will be equipped with 12 Wärtsilä 50DF engines, operating primarily on natural gas fuel, but with the flexibility to switch to alternative fuels if needed. The plant will operate for approximately 5000 hours per year, providing grid balancing power as needed. This will help EKPC meet growing demand while ensuring reliability and resilience for the 16 owner-member cooperatives it serves. Since establishing U.S. operations in 1979, Wärtsilä has been committed to supporting America’s energy transition with expertise and innovative technology. ⚡️ 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 #NicoYourFlexibilityExpert 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 #energytransition, #decarbonisation, #netzero 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 🔔 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴.

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#ConsumersEnergy has launched an 8-mile #naturalgas pipeline replacement project across four Michigan cities, targeting aging infrastructure. The multi-year upgrade will modernize service for more than 750,000 customers and run through 2029. https://lnkd.in/gGP-hT-5

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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Section 5 reform is needed to promote equity and faster settlments of gas transmission rate proceedings to benefit end customers.

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I recently sat down with Kinsey Grant Baker of the Energy Central Power Perspectives podcast to discuss how Exelon is future-proofing our system to enhance reliability and resilience, and why we’re advocating for an all-of-the-above approach to combat rising energy costs. Exelon is focused on connecting our communities to the energy they need quickly and affordably. But meeting this demand requires a modern grid capable of withstanding today’s pressures. Exelon is meeting these challenges head-on by: > Investing $38 billion between 2025 and 2028 to strengthen the grid across service areas. > Reducing outage frequency by 40% through upgrades and smarter infrastructure. > Delivering rates 21% below those in the largest U.S. cities and a 35% improvement in reliability. And this is only the beginning. As one of the nation’s largest utilities, we’re positioning ourselves for a future where we can continue providing our 10.7+ million customers with safe, reliable, and affordable energy. Thank you to Kinsey and to the entire Energy Central team for having me. You can listen to the full podcast here: https://lnkd.in/eSwdxm_x

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Supporting workforce development isn’t just philanthropy — it’s infrastructure. When we invest in organizations in the Twin Cities like Summit Academy OIC, we’re helping build the skilled workforce that powers our communities and strengthens our economy. Opportunity changes lives. Training creates careers. And strong partnerships create lasting impact. That’s how we help build stronger communities — together. #energyforwhatmattersmost

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Excited to help shape the future of energy! Today, PJM has recommended NextEra Energy Transmission and Exelon to build a 220-mile, 765-kV transmission line—strengthening reliability, expanding access to affordable energy, and driving economic growth for PJM customers and communities. Proud of the collaboration between our two organizations and to play a role in powering communities for decades to come. Together, we’re building a smarter, stronger grid for tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/emtURqEh

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Yesterday, DTE Energy had the privilege of facilitating an energy audit for the nonprofit organization, The Baldwin Center, alongside Executive Director Angela Tabb. The audit was conducted by Drew Rodriguez of Franklin Energy, and together we identified multiple opportunities to help modernize the facility while reducing overall energy costs. Our review included lighting, electrical systems, refrigeration, and more—highlighting impactful improvements that can enhance efficiency and sustainability. This complimentary service is available to all nonprofits within our service territory. While on-site, Drew went above and beyond by implementing simple lighting adjustments to deliver immediate benefits—an example of the hands-on support this program provides. If you are a nonprofit leader in our service territory, I encourage you to connect with me to learn more about accessing a free energy consultation. Additionally, low- and no-interest financing options are available for larger projects. Let’s work together to build more efficient, sustainable spaces for our communities. #EnergyEfficiency #NonprofitSupport #Sustainability #CommunityImpact #DTEEnergy

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Powering the future; is your project planned in a grid hotspot? 📍 The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has recently released a first-of-its-kind transitional Regional Energy Strategic Plan (tRESP) – and it could be a game changer for supporting new projects with energy infrastructure, especially those considering renewables. One of the biggest challenges faced by our sector has been the bottlenecks in planning, power and storage. What this strategy aims to do is align DNO (Distribution Network Operator) investments for 2028-2033 with actual local needs – taking a whole-system approach. As well as providing valuable insight, this report acts as a roadmap for where the grid will be strongest across Scotland, England and Wales – for any business planning a project in the next decade, your regional strategy just became a lot clearer, and greener. What do you think to the new strategy? Let us know! And read more about the NESO strategy here: https://lnkd.in/dhWwR6SP #NESO #RegionalEnergy 

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"Great River Energy, ITC Midwest and Xcel Energy proposed a series of new electric transmission lines today that will help deliver continued reliable electricity for energy consumers throughout the region and connect new sources of electricity to the grid to serve increasing and evolving demands for electricity. Today, the project partners submitted an application for a Certificate of Need for PowerOn Midwest to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC)." https://lnkd.in/ei-DduXx

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It's exciting to work in a space that matters to so many communities we serve. Proud of the partnership between FirstEnergy and American Electric Power's Transource Energy and looking forward to engaging on this critical infrastructure project. #FirstEnergy #TransourceEnergy #GridGrowthPartners #EnergizeEveryday #infrastructure

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Many years ago, Entergy identified the need to strengthen our aging power grid to meet increasing customer expectations for reliability. The costs would have fallen on a stagnant customer base, with more than 20% of our customers at or below the national poverty level. Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly recently joined Energy Central's Power Perspectives podcast to share how we're proving that when properly planned, data centers can help close the gap and provide a net benefit to all customers. 🔊 LISTEN HERE: http://spr.ly/6042fxz06

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DEC 23RD: DOE ORDERS 2 INDIANA COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS TO STAY ONLINE PAST RETIREMENT Electric grid operators in central U.S. cite grid reliability concerns & capacity shortfalls - caused in part by a significant data center growth period- which requires tremendous amounts of additional energy. The electric grid's trustworthiness continues to be a major U.S. concern. https://lnkd.in/exXgi6Dj.

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This shift for the US building out 765kV transmission across the Eastern Interconnect and ERCOT is a direct response to the load demand forecasts to support AI Data Centers and other power intensive infrastructure. A paradigm shift for the industry in the US, we are now better positioned to employ lessons learned in EHV development abroad to be successful at home. Our team is ahead of the curve in 765kV engineering, design and standards development and this partnership moves that needle forward. Excited to be part of this team at WSP We are #Visioneers!

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