Factor This, the digital media publication from Clarion Events North American Energy vertical, joins forces with the national industry association Advanced Energy United to create a podcast centered on policy and regulation.

June 18, 2026 - As America's electricity system transforms rapidly with major implications for those guiding its direction, the energy news outlet Factor This partners with Advanced Energy United to debut a podcast that examines policy choices driving the energy transition.

The Factor This Policycast, in partnership with Advanced Energy United, offers a discussion series aimed at leaders seeking deeper insight into the clean energy policy environment. Hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Paul Gerke, the series provides a platform for industry participants to address legislation, regulation, and energy market design shifts affecting the broader economy. Guests from the energy policy field highlight key obstacles for decision-makers and potential solutions, covering issues such as project construction barriers, electricity grid planning challenges, faster rollout of grid-edge technologies, and additional topics.

"As economic expansion relies more on rapid energy deployment, decision-makers nationwide turn to the advanced energy sector for answers, and we are pleased to serve as a reliable source," noted Heather O'Neill, President and CEO of Advanced Energy United. "Beyond technological advances and consumer trends, public policy significantly influences deployment. We are excited to collaborate with Factor This on a fresh platform for these vital policy conversations."

"The energy sector is, if you'll excuse the expression, a dynamic field at present. Power costs have moved beyond secondary concerns to everyday topics, creating demand for discussions that clarify our energy systems," explained Paul Gerke, Host of Factor This Policycast. "We will feature leaders from utilities, grid operators, project developers, technology providers, regulators, legislators, and consumers to examine policies shaping economic power supply. We are pleased to work with Advanced Energy United, an association leading policy efforts and representing the full advanced energy industry from grid-scale to distributed resources."

The opening episode addresses public advantages of competitive bidding for large-scale, high-voltage transmission lines. With rising electricity prices in various U.S. regions, attention has returned to a federal directive requiring utilities to use competitive processes for major transmission projects.

The episode titled How we benefit from transmission competition examines why the directive faces limited enforcement, notes efforts by some utilities to prohibit competition, and reviews recent data on how bidding affects costs and timelines for power delivery. Guests include Caitlin Marquis, Managing Director at Advanced Energy United, and Paul Cicio, Chair of the Electricity Transmission Competition Coalition (ETCC), both supporters of competitive transmission.

New episodes of Factor This Policycast appear biweekly on YouTube and Factor This, and are available on major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

Factor This serves as the digital media publication of the Clarion Events North American Energy vertical. The brand combines prior energy publications including Renewable Energy World, POWERGRID International, and Hydro Review. Factor This delivers news, features, and case studies for utilities, project developers, policymakers, and energy professionals. Across articles, videos, podcasts, e-newsletters, and web events, Factor This covers the people, projects, and technologies advancing the electric future.

Advanced Energy United is a national industry association representing companies offering advanced energy and transportation solutions. The group promotes policies that foster competition and partners with members to generate economic opportunities, reduce consumer expenses, and strengthen energy reliability and resilience nationwide. United in building an advanced energy economy, Advanced Energy United operates at AdvancedEnergyUnited.org.