Grid Utilization: Unlocking the Cheapest Megawatt in America

What if the fastest, cheapest fix for America’s power grid is hiding in plain sight? On this episode of Political Climate, we dive into grid utilization — and how to unlock the massive untapped potential of a system that operates at just ~50% capacity (as Secretary Wright noted just last month). With Ian Magruder (founder and executive director of the Utilize Coalition) and guest co-host Hillary O’Brien (managing director of clean power at ClearPath) we explore how solutions such as advanced transmission technologies and virtual power plants can unlock hundreds of gigawatts and deliver $100+ billion in savings — plus the policy changes needed to scale them. At a moment of surging demand, is there really a debate between building more or finally using what we already have better? Episode highlights: 1:38 - Roundup: SF Climate Week, cybersecurity & Chinese EVs on TikTok 9:12 - The case for grid utilization 14:47 - Companies to watch in the utilization space 17:18 - The "build" versus "use" debate 25:25 - Speed to power with DOE's $1.9 billion SPARK program 28:38 - Policy action to accelerate grid innovation & VA case study 39:20 - Better grid use transcends political divides Political Climate is presented by ClearPath, one of the most influential organizations working to advance American energy innovation while reducing global emissions.

You can listen to Grid Utilization: Unlocking the Cheapest Megawatt in America online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Grid Utilization: Unlocking the Cheapest Megawatt in America is an episode from Political Climate by Latitude Media.

This episode is 43:16 long.

This episode was published on Apr 27, 2026.

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