The Hard Truth About America’s Power Grid

In this episode, I share the honest truth about the grid: reliable power remains essential when demand increases and wind or sun are limited. Recent federal funding decisions will help upgrade aging coal plants for better efficiency, water reuse, and, importantly, switching fuels to natural gas. It’s not a revival for coal but a transitional measure as utilities work toward adding cleaner, more stable capacity. However, the financial challenges are significant. Plants built to last 30–40 years are aging, and extending their life by a few years can cost tens of millions—expenses regulators didn’t expect. Natural gas stays cheaper and cleaner than coal, while nuclear power leads in capacity factor, showing how tough it is to balance cost, reliability, and decarbonization.