What would happen if a coordinated cyber and physical attack disrupted the systems that power daily life—not just power plants, but data centers, pipelines, and communications?

Cyber and physical threats to the electric grid are growing more advanced, more frequent, and harder to detect. The impacts can ripple far beyond the energy sector, affecting communities, public safety, and the broader economy. From sophisticated phishing to copper theft from power plants, competitive power suppliers, grid operators, and utilities must stay prepared.

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with one of the nation’s top grid security leaders to unpack today’s threat landscape and what it takes to strengthen the power system. Michael Ball is Senior Vice President of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and CEO of the Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC). They discuss the rising role of AI in cyberattacks, how adversaries target industrial control systems, and why information sharing across the energy sector is essential.

They also cover insights from the recent national GridEx VIII exercise—as well as a new “Grid-Ex-in-a-Box" drill EPSA customized for member companies this November in Houston—and explore how competitive power suppliers can get prepared before a real crisis hits.

Topics include:

• How cyber threats have become constant and increasingly sophisticated,
• The rise of almost autonomous AI-enabled cyberattacks,
• Physical security risks including vandalism, copper theft, and drone activity at power plants,
• How adversaries target industrial control systems with advanced toolkits,
• The critical role of information sharing across competitive power suppliers, utilities, and government partners,
• What the E-ISAC does and how it supports industry-wide situational awareness,
• Key insights from GridEx VIII,
• The importance of resilient communications strategies and updated playbooks,
• And what competitive power suppliers and utilities should focus on heading into 2026.

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA

Guest: Michael Ball, senior vice president, NERC, CEO, E-ISAC

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As AI, electrification, and manufacturing growth drive record electricity demand, the U.S. grid faces new pressures to deliver reliable, affordable power. What can other regions learn from New England — one of America’s most energy-constrained power systems?

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Gordon van Welie, outgoing President and CEO of ISO New England, to reflect on 25 years of market evolution and what it takes to keep the lights on. They discuss how competitive power markets have driven investment and reliability, and why policy alignment between grid operators, states, and the federal government is key to meeting the demands of an AI-powered economy.

Topics include:

• How New England’s competitive market evolved — and what’s worked best,
• Why policy alignment among grid operators, states, and the federal government is critical,
• The growing interdependence between gas and electric systems,
• Lessons from managing fuel constraints and preparing for winter,
• How transmission planning and collaboration with states can unlock progress, and
• What the AI-era demand surge means for investment and reliability.

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA

Guest: Gordon van Welie, President and CEO, ISO New England

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The U.S. power sector is at a critical turning point. AI, electrification, and manufacturing and economic growth are leading to surging electricity demand, and power supply is struggling to keep up as prices increase. How should policymakers and energy leaders respond to encourage wise investment without overbuilding, overspending, or undermining reliability?

In this episode of Energy Solutions, EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with David Hill, Executive Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Program, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Independent System Operator, and former DOE General Counsel to unpack the key issues that are shaping today’s energy sector. They discuss the risks of over- and under-building, the role of competitive markets, and how smarter permitting and planning can help manage uncertainty without putting consumers at risk.

They also discuss bipartisan solutions to energy affordability, lessons that can be learned from past energy policies, and why natural gas and nuclear energy are critical to meeting demand as part of an all-of-the-above strategy.

Together, they tackle:

• Why uncertainty is the defining challenge in today’s energy sector.
• How past experiences with over- and under-building can inform better decision making.
• The growing bipartisan consensus on energy affordability and reliability.
• The critical role of natural gas and infrastructure to support new demand.
• How permitting reform could help unlock faster, smarter investment.
• Why transparent markers and sound planning protect consumers.

Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA

Guest: David Hill, Executive Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Energy Program, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New York Independent System Operator

Liked this episode? Share it on X @EPSANews or LinkedIn at Electric Power Supply Association. Want more competitive power updates? Sign up for our monthly Power Moves newsletter.