The Electric Perspectives podcast discusses the latest trends and issues shaping the electric power industry.

In the latest episode, EEI President and CEO Tom Kuhn reflects on his more than 30 years of service in the electric power industry. On December 31, Kuhn will step down from his current role as president and CEO. Kuhn has effectively worked with America’s electric companies to navigate major policy issues in Congress, throughout the federal agencies, and at the state and local levels. He also has led the development of strong-industry government partnerships, and has been extremely engaged in international dialogues that aim to advance the shared vision for an affordable and resilient clean energy future for all customers. On this episode, Kuhn discusses his decades of service, his sources of pride and inspiration, and his expectations for EEI’s member companies and the industry moving forward.

We also released an episode recently recapping the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations September hearing on the role of electric infrastructure in the Maui wildfire on August 8. Hawaiian Electric President and CEO Shelee Kimura was among the witnesses.

This hearing was a significant step in initiating a broader, national conversation about what needs to be done to make electric companies, and the communities they serve, more resilient against increasing climate risk and extreme weather events. The growing threat created by wildfires is a problem that challenges not only Maui, but the nation and the world. The hearing raised questions about how electric companies, regulators, private property owners, and other stakeholders can take a holistic, collaborative approach to address these increasing risks.

The entire hearing lasted nearly two hours, but this episode features key autio segments, including Shelee Kimura's responses about Hawaiian Electric's application for a grid hardening project that had been pending with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission since last year, Hawaiian Electric's wildfire protocols, and the obstacles to undergrounding power lines. You can watch the entire hearing on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce's YouTube page.

Listen to the episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts.