As 2025 came to a close, The Electric Wire podcast took a look back at some of the most important conversations shaping the energy landscape in Wisconsin and beyond. The Year in Review episode, released December 30, 2025, highlights key moments from a year of discussions on reliability, affordability, regulation, and the future of the electric grid.

Throughout 2025, the podcast featured leaders from across the energy industry — including utilities, policymakers, and industry experts — all focused on one central question: How do we keep electricity reliable and affordable while the energy industry undergoes significant change?

The Year in Review episode featured highlights from several important conversations:

• Troy Adams, CEO and General Manager of Manitowoc Public Utilities, discussed the Refuel Renewable Project and how public power innovation can support reliability, sustainability, and local economic development.
• Brad Viator and Gary Meltz of Power for Tomorrow joined the podcast to discuss electric deregulation, market structure, and how policy decisions impact customer costs.
• Scott Smith and John Jicha of Madison Gas & Electric shared insights on energy reliability, resource planning, and the challenges utilities face as demand grows and the generation mix changes.
• The Power Breakfast episode on data centers explored the growing impact of large energy users on the grid and what increasing demand means for infrastructure, planning, and electric rates.
• Representative Adam Neylon discussed energy policy priorities, regulation, and the role of the legislature in shaping Wisconsin’s energy future.
• Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde joined the podcast for a conversation on energy affordability, sustainability, and the importance of long-term planning for Wisconsin customers.

Taken together, these conversations tell an important story: the electric industry is changing, but the core mission remains the same — keeping power reliable, affordable, and available when customers need it.

The Year in Review episode serves as a reminder that energy policy decisions have real impacts on households, businesses, and communities. Whether the topic was grid reliability, emerging technologies, large energy users, or market structure, each conversation focused on how to best serve customers and ensure a strong energy future.

Listen to the Year in Review Episode here:

https://youtu.be/Fnc8cHRM48A?si=sjFHziuJZ08E4Out

As The Electric Wire moves into 2026, the podcast will continue these conversations with industry leaders and policymakers, exploring the challenges and opportunities ahead for the electric industry and the customers it serves.