Episode #70
Energy by the West, for the West: Kathleen Staks on the Future of Western Electricity Markets
What will it take to build a more reliable, affordable, and flexible electricity system across the American West? Electricity demand is growing, drought and extreme weather are creating new reliability challenges, and states across the region are navigating different energy policies and resource mixes. At the same time, the West is taking a different approach to regional electricity markets than other parts of the country. In this episode of Energy Solutions , EPSA President and CEO Todd Snitchler sits down with Kathleen Staks, Executive Director of Western Freedom, to discuss the evolution of Western electricity markets and what greater regional coordination could mean for consumers, businesses, and the grid. Todd and Kathleen explore how the Western Energy Imbalance Market and Extended Day-Ahead Market are changing the way electricity is coordinated across the region, the effort to create an independent governance structure “built by the West, for the West,” and why larger market footprints can improve reliability, make better use of existing resources, and create opportunities for investment. They also discuss how growing demand from data centers, manufacturing, electrification, and population growth is adding urgency – and why the West is taking an incremental approach to change. As Kathleen explains, markets aren’t the solution to every challenge facing the grid. But by building trust, expanding coordination, and connecting more resources across the region, they can be an important tool for meeting growing electricity needs while keeping reliability and affordability in focus. Topics include: The evolution of Western electricity markets and what “energy freedom” means for the West Drought, hydropower constraints, wildfire, and extreme weather impacts on grid reliability Growing electricity demand from data centers and other large loads How larger regional markets can strengthen reliability, improve efficiency, and support investment and innovation The Western Energy Imbalance Market, Extended Day-Ahead Market, the West-Wide Governance Pathways Initiative, and the push for independent regional governance Building bipartisan support and stakeholder trust – and what’s next for the Western electricity system Host: Todd Snitchler, President and CEO, EPSA Guest: Kathleen Staks, Executive Director, Western Freedom 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.
