Industry Trends 2026 solutions-cast February 17, 2026 What Data Center Growth Means for Co-ops Chris Whittle explores data center-driven load growth forecasts and how electric cooperatives can best position themselves for success.
Solutions Cast solutions-cast February 3, 2026 2026 Industry and Economic Trends Join CFC experts John Suter and Jan Ahlen for their takes on the trends our research teams expect will shape 2026.
Industry Insights solutions-cast December 15, 2025 Does the US Have Enough Skilled Workers for the Energy Boom? Alisha Pinto takes a closer look at the U.S. energy sector’s challenge of hiring enough skilled workers to keep pace with industry growth.
Industry Insights solutions-cast December 1, 2025 LNG Exports: Shaping the Future of US Natural Gas LNG exports are set to drive U.S. natural gas demand and prices higher, impacting electric cooperatives and energy reliability.
Industry Insights solutions-cast November 3, 2025 Virtual Power Plants: Separating Hype from Reality Brian Sloboda examines what electric cooperatives need to watch as they consider this new way of serving members.
solutions-cast October 20, 2025 No Tricks, Just Tactics: Planning for Wildfire Risk Alisha Pinto takes a closer look at wildfire mitigation plans and how they can help cooperatives proactively manage wildfire risk.
Solutions Cast solutions-cast October 20, 2025 Migrating from Corporate America to Cooperative Leadership Join Tracy McBride as she explores the power of sharing knowledge to prepare the next generation of leaders and drive meaningful change.
Industry Insights solutions-cast October 6, 2025 Space: The Final Frontier in Solar? Brian Sloboda looks to the stars to explore space-based solar power and its potential to deliver continuous energy from orbit to Earth.
solutions-cast September 8, 2025 From Restaurants to Reliability: A VP’s Journey at York Electric Cooperative Jonathan Layfield of York Electric Cooperative explores his unique path from the restaurant industry to the utility sector.
Industry Insights solutions-cast September 8, 2025 Burning Questions: Can Gas Keep Up? Alisha Pinto explores how cooperatives are making strategic investments in firm power to keep pace with the grid’s evolving needs.
Industry Insights solutions-cast August 25, 2025 From Dormant to Dominant: The Return of Nuclear Power Alisha Pinto takes a closer look at the recent revitalization of nuclear energy and what its return could mean for the energy landscape.
Industry Insights solutions-cast August 11, 2025 Summer Heatwave Pressures Grid Resilience Chris Whittle explores how dispatchable generation helped grid operators maintain reliability during extreme heat events.
Industry Insights events-training July 28, 2025 Explore the Drivers of Growth, Financial Stability In this episode of Industry Insights, Aaron Stallings explores the recent release of the 2024 Key Ratio Trend Analysis (KRTA) report.
Industry Insights solutions-cast July 14, 2025 Solar Sticker Shock: New Tariffs Target the Solar Industry New U.S. tariffs on Southeast Asian solar imports spark concern over rising costs, trade policy and future impacts on electric co-ops.
Industry Insights solutions-cast June 30, 2025 Peak Shifts, Solar Surges: Inside Vermont’s Grid Transformation CFO Caroline Mashia shares how VEC is adapting to rapid electrification, rooftop solar and shifting energy peaks.
Industry Insights solutions-cast May 19, 2025 AI’s Role in Enhancing Operations and Member Services Join CFC’s Jan Ahlen to discover how AI is revolutionizing the utility industry, improving operations and serving members better.
Industry Insights solutions-cast May 5, 2025 Industry Insights: Electric Cooperatives and the Data Center Boom Increasing electricity demand will drive U.S. economic growth, with data centers leading the charge.
Industry Insights solutions-cast April 21, 2025 Industry Insights: Transformers Are More Than Meets the Eye Join CFC’s Alisha Pinto for a look at the critical role transformers play in electric grid infrastructure and what the future holds.
Industry Insights solutions-cast April 7, 2025 Industry Insights: Small Modular Reactors Closer To Reality Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda to learn how small modular reactors could provide utility-scale baseload power as licensing is modernized.
Industry Insights solutions-cast March 24, 2025 Industry Insights: Understanding Utility-Scale Solar Join CFC’s Alisha Pinto for a look at key insights from CFC’s recent solar issue brief, which serves as a guide for electric co-op leaders.
Industry Insights solutions-cast March 10, 2025 Industry Insights: Electric Cooperatives’ Role in Changing EV Landscape Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda for a look at the evolving landscape of electric vehicles (EVs) and the role electric cooperatives can play.
Solutions Cast solutions-cast February 5, 2025 2025 Industry and Economic Trends Join CFC experts Jan Ahlen and Sam Kem as they discuss 2025 industry and economic environments and how trends in each affect the other.
Industry Insights solutions-cast December 9, 2024 Policy Insights: Unified Republican Control Shifts Balance of Power Join CFC’s Stratton Edwards as he delves into what Republication control of Congress and the White House could mean for electric co-ops.
Solutions Cast solutions-cast November 18, 2024 Enhancing Efficiency, Member Experience with AI Dairyland Power’s Nate Melby and Vlad Tsoy discuss how the co-op is leveraging AI through an internally developed VoltWrite solution.
Industry Insights solutions-cast October 28, 2024 Industry Insights: Understanding AI's Dual Role in Electric Cooperatives Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda to explore two types of AI being used at electric co-ops, from vegetation management to generative AI applications.
Solutions Cast solutions-cast October 15, 2024 Leadership Insights from a Hurricane-Tested CEO Join GCEC CEO John Bartley as he looks back at the impact his cooperative felt when faced with a direct hit from Hurricane Michael.
Industry Insights solutions-cast October 14, 2024 Industry Insights: DOE Funds Energize US Battery Storage Join CFC’s Chris Whittle to learn how the U.S. is revolutionizing its battery manufacturing landscape.
Industry Insights solutions-cast September 30, 2024 Empowering Electric Cooperatives: The Promise of Microgrids Join CFC’s Alisha Pinto as she explores the potential of microgrids to enhance energy resilience and efficiency for electric cooperatives.
solutions-cast September 25, 2024 Colorado CEO Talks Reliability in the Face of Extreme Weather CORE Electric Cooperative CEO Pam Feuerstein discusses technology planning and financial opportunities used to harden electric systems.
Industry Insights solutions-cast September 16, 2024 Industry Insights: Unleashing the Potential of DERMS Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda to discover how distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS) revolutionize energy management.
Industry Insights solutions-cast September 2, 2024 Industry Insights: Commercial Power Demand Drives Electricity Sales Join CFC’s Chris Whittle in an update on recent growth in electric demand and what is driving the increase in the commercial power sector.
Podcast solutions-cast August 5, 2024 Quick Guide to CFC Investments Join CFC Vice President of Capital Markets Vu Ly for an episode on the ins and outs of CFC investment options.
Industry Insights solutions-cast August 5, 2024 Industry Insights: The Truth About EV Sales The U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market saw significant growth in the second quarter of 2024.
Industry Insights solutions-cast July 22, 2024 Industry Insights: Wildfires Spark Industry Change, Drive Up Costs for Electric Utilities Join CFC’s Alisha Pinto for an update on how an increase in U.S. wildfires is affecting electric utilities.
Industry Insights solutions-cast July 8, 2024 Industry Insights: New FERC Rule Impacts 2024 Interconnection Queue Join CFC’s Chris Whittle for an update on how a new FERC ruling will impact the waitlist for renewable project interconnection.
Podcast solutions-cast June 17, 2024 Using Alert Systems To Protect Members from Scammers Sam Taggart discusses the innovative approach his cooperative is using to warn cooperative members of local scammers.
Industry Insights solutions-cast June 17, 2024 How Co-op Virtual Power Plants Stack Up Against Google Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda as he dives into a handful of cooperative use cases that highlight the potential of demand response programs.
Industry Insights energy-tech June 3, 2024 Industry Insights: Solar Panel End-of-Life Management Join CFC’s Alisha Pinto as she discusses the current landscape of solar panel retirements and what value solar panel recycling can add.
Podcast solutions-cast May 20, 2024 Michigan CEO Explores Lessons Learned from First-Year Challenges Hear how Cherryland Electric Cooperative CEO Rachel Johnson stepped into the role and addressed challenges and changes.
Industry Insights solutions-cast May 20, 2024 Natural Gas Prices Start Year at Historic Lows Join CFC’s Chris Whittle for an update on natural gas prices as he explains the latest trends in natural gas growth.
Industry Insights solutions-cast May 6, 2024 The Deep Fake: Preparing Cooperative Staff for AI Cybersecurity Awareness Join CFC’s Brian Sloboda for an update on the risks AI poses in cybersecurity and how to raise awareness among your staff.
Industry Insights solutions-cast April 22, 2024 AI Disrupts Power Demand Estimates Watch CFC Vice President Jan Ahlen for insights on data center growth and how artificial intelligence may drive significant power demand.
Industry Insights solutions-cast April 8, 2024 The Challenging Future of Electric Reliability Watch CFC’s Alisha Pinto for an update on the electric grid, areas for concern and what cooperatives can do to enhance reliability.
Industry Insights energy-tech March 25, 2024 Recent Surge in Bitcoin Prices May Impact Electric Cooperative Demand Join Chris Whittle for an update on the volatility of crypocurrency and possible impacts to electric cooperatives.
Podcast solutions-cast February 26, 2024 The Evolution of AI: What Questions Should Co-ops Be Asking? CFC’s Brian Sloboda connects the dots on artificial intelligence (AI) and important business questions cooperatives should consider.
Podcast solutions-cast January 12, 2024 Revving Up: 2023 Trends Accelerate into 2024 Learn about the most important energy and technology trends facing the electric cooperative network.
Podcast solutions-cast December 21, 2023 Educating the Next Generation of Co-op CEOs—Top Tips for Developing Leadership Talent Listen to the latest episode of CFC Solutions Cast to hear what challenges cooperatives face as a record number of CEO retirements lie ahead
Podcast solutions-cast November 13, 2023 Discover How a Midwest Cooperative Is Leading the Way in Beneficial Electrification Listen to Hoosier Energy’s approach to building beneficial electrification programs.
Podcast solutions-cast October 26, 2023 A Game Changer: The Team Sport of Infrastructure Planning Hear from Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association’s CEO and CFO as they share their unique approach to infrastructure planning.
Podcast solutions-cast September 8, 2023 Building Trusting Relationships Through Communications Chellie Philips shares the importance of developing a strong co-op culture and the impact the next generation of co-op employees can bring.
Podcast solutions-cast August 21, 2023 Leading by Example To Change a Cooperative’s Culture Jason Loehr discusses his transition from CFO to CEO and how he leads by example to develop culture and talent.
Podcast solutions-cast July 24, 2023 Learn How a Vermont Co-op Is Building a Virtual Power Plant Hear from Cyril Brunner and Jan Ahlen about the future impact virtual power plants may have on the electric cooperative network.
Podcast solutions-cast June 26, 2023 North Carolina Co-op Uses AI To Improve Reliability, Safety Hear how Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation uses AI for vegetation management and how the application is enhancing their program.
Podcast solutions-cast May 22, 2023 A Journey from Contact Center Representative to Data Scientist Eugene Hamrick helped create Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s data analytics department after starting his career in the contact center.
Podcast solutions-cast April 26, 2023 C&I Generator Loan Program Enhances Resilience Learn how CEC's generator loan program enhances resilience and supports business continuity for C&I member-owners.
Podcast solutions-cast March 27, 2023 How Cooperatives Can Prepare for Future EV Sales Growth Hear why electric cooperative leaders should not panic, yet, about electric vehicle sales growth.
Podcast solutions-cast February 27, 2023 How Winter Storm Elliott Caused the Perfect Storm CFC energy industry expert shares lessons learned from the unprecedented load curtailments and power outages caused by Winter Storm Elliott.
Podcast solutions-cast December 12, 2022 An Overview of the 2023 Economic and Energy Picture for Co-ops CFC members have early access to the economic, market and technology forces that will impact electric cooperatives in 2023.
Podcast solutions-cast December 2, 2022 Microgrid, Battery Storage Help Mitigate Severe Weather Find out how PVREA uses a microgrid and battery storage system to mitigate against wildfires, winter storms and tornadoes.
Podcast solutions-cast October 10, 2022 Defending Electric Infrastructure from Wildfires Find out how Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative is protecting poles and other parts of utility infrastructure from wildfires.
Podcast solutions-cast April 25, 2022 Iowa Cooperative Uses Smart Grid Enablers To Achieve Fiber Network Rollout An Iowa-based co-op shares the importance of utilizing smart grid enablers when planning for advanced technology and fiber applications.
Podcast solutions-cast March 28, 2022 Electric Cooperative Leaders Share EV Program Implementation Experiences, Member Feedback Learn how two systems provided their members different options to save money and ensure EVs are plugged in during off-peak times.
Podcast solutions-cast February 28, 2022 Minnesota Co-op Nears Completion of Smart Grid System Dakota Electric Association used a unique exercise to ensure its board and senior management team understood the plans to mitigate risk.
Podcast solutions-cast January 31, 2022 Alaska Co-op Goes Big with 46.5 MW Battery Energy Storage System Brad Janorschke and Jah Ahlen discuss how Homer Electric’s 46.5 MW system will help save it and its members significant amounts of money.
Podcast solutions-cast November 29, 2021 Indiana Co-op Accelerates Battery Storage Project To Beat the Peak Listen to how NREMC’s batteries performed so well over the summer the co-op is deploying its additional storage a year ahead of schedule.
Podcast solutions-cast October 18, 2021 Are Prices Temporary or Are They Here to Stay? Find out what’s driving inflation today, how it compares with pre-pandemic levels, where it’s headed and what it means for electric co-ops.
Podcast solutions-cast September 7, 2021 Why Cooperatives Should Tell Their Story Learn what ESG means for cooperatives, how ESG impacts investor views as well as what role it plays when communicating with members.
Podcast solutions-cast September 7, 2021 The Changing Landscape of Rate Design Learn how cooperative rate design is evolving with new technology and opportunities, plus the factors that are driving these changes.