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Electricity demand is rising fast. But New York is asking a different question than most states:

What kind of demand is actually worth building for?

In this live conversation from IESNA 2026, Nico sits down with Doreen Harris, President of NYSERDA, to explore how one of the largest economies in the country is preparing for 20–25% electricity load growth over the next 15 years. From AI infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing to distributed solar and storage, New York is making major investments while trying to ensure growth also creates long-term economic value.

Doreen explains why durable policy signals matter, why transmission remains central to the next phase of grid buildout, and why "business as usual" already requires massive infrastructure investment.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why New York is planning differently for large loads like AI and manufacturing
🔹 How policy durability helps attract long-term capital
🔹 Why storage is becoming a major bright spot for reliability and affordability
🔹 How distributed solar is already reducing peak demand and consumer costs

If you want to understand where energy markets, infrastructure, and economic development are headed next, press play.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Doreen Harris:

Check out NYSERDA:

"To attract investment, you need to have clear policy signals and stand behind them" – Doreen Harris

Noteworthy Quotes:

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Nico Johnson

Entrepreneur & Podcaster

In my 20 year career, I've worked with dozens of entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and professionals in transition to clarify their mission, set or stretch their goals, and work through the barriers to their growth.

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