The Best in the Biz – May 2025 – [EnergyBiz Network Community Manager Digest]

Posted By: EN Todayon: May 01, 2025In: General Energy News

Thank you for checking out the EnergyBiz Network Community Manager digest. This piece compiles important articles that concern different elements of energy commerce, such as customer care and utility management. The articles referred to in this piece are just a small smattering of the content posted on Energy Central, so make sure to check the rest of the site.

Get to Know Your Community Members – This Month’s Member Spotlight

Spotlight: P atrick McGarry

What sets Energy Central apart from other online industry outlets is the true community-level feel. To highlight that aspect, this spot each month will feature a quick profile of one of your fellow Community Members for you to get to know and inspire you to reach out to them: leave a comment on their recent Energy Central content, follow their profile, and build a new connection in the industry!

Name and Title: Patrick McGarry, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Beachside Energy Consulting

Topics of Focus: Utility contracts, Workforce Expertise, Customer focus

Recent Energy Central Contributions of Note:

Top Content This Month

Guest Commentary: DOE data center plans, DOGE firings don’t mix by Dan Yurman

The Department of Energy’s plan to co-locate AI data centers with nuclear infrastructure faces significant hurdles, including regulatory delays and unrealistic timelines for small modular reactor deployment. This commentary critiques the initiative, especially in light of recent staff cuts at the National Nuclear Security Administration, raising concerns about the agency’s capacity to manage such ambitious projects.

“The Department of Energy (DOE) last week (Apr. 3) announced a plan to boost U.S. artificial intelligence efforts and lower energy costs by co-locating data centers and new energy infrastructure at up to 16 DOE sites.”

Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here

Con Edison Meets Customers’ Demand for Renewable, Reliable Energy with Incentives to Improve Affordability by Anne Marie Corbalis

Con Edison is empowering over 338,000 customers to embrace clean energy through $321 million in incentives for solar, battery storage, and efficiency upgrades. With a focus on affordability, including $80 million directed to low- and moderate-income households, these programs are helping New Yorkers save more than $65 million annually on their energy bills.

“Con Edison customers adopted solar generation, battery storage and energy efficiency savings at an increased rate in 2024, with 54,000 solar customers reducing at least one electric bill to zero usage.”

Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here

The Wildfire Liability Revolution by Elizabeth Pearce

Berkshire Hathaway, through its utility subsidiary PacifiCorp, is spearheading a legislative effort to limit utility liability for wildfires, shifting financial responsibility from corporations to the public. This coordinated push has raised concerns among insurers and consumer advocates about the broader implications for homeowners and the insurance industry.

“Wildfires are the only major natural disaster that humans can truly prevent. Unlike hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, we have the tools and data to reduce wildfire ignition, spread, and destruction—if we choose to use them.”

Read the full article and leave a comment or question for the author here

Recent Q&A in the Community

Q: What adversities are being seen across the board from field employees to management with our industry? What is being done to come to a solution for these issues?

Read submitted answers and or add your own!