The real reason electricity prices are rising

In this episode of Open Circuit, Stephen Lacey, Jigar Shah, and Caroline Golin analyze a Lawrence Berkeley Lab report on electricity prices, revealing that volatile gas prices, infrastructure costs, and extreme weather are the primary drivers, not renewables or data centers. They discuss how utilities' investment strategies, regulatory frameworks, and the integration of new technologies impact electricity costs. The conversation explores the complexities of transmission and distribution investments, the effects of renewable energy mandates, and the role of large loads like data centers in either lowering or raising prices. They also examine a recent proposal by the Energy Secretary to fast-track grid interconnections for large loads, debating its potential benefits and drawbacks for grid reliability and cost distribution.