Webinar takeaways: Can you future-proof programs through federal flux?
If you felt like 2025’s headlines were a roller coaster, you’re not alone. From federal reorganizations to surging data center demand and affordability pressures, U.S. energy dynamics have shifted faster than any single news cycle can capture.
In our recent webinar, Adapting Energy Programs Amid Federal Uncertainty, leaders from CLEAResult and CLEAResult Energetics shared practical lessons utilities and energy program managers can apply immediately to keep planning resilient, customer-focused, and future-ready.
Don’t let headlines drive your strategy
“Layoffs, tariffs, churn of unending news cycles. We learned not to make predictions based on news cycles. Things are changing too quickly,” said Seth Little, CLEAResult’s Director of Market Development and Partnerships. Noting reactivity can derail good programs, Seth advised instead to build durable strategies anchored in cost-effectiveness, customer outcomes and measurable risk management.
Adam McIlwain, Vice President of Energy Sustainability Services at CLEAResult, believes the continuing resolution will only keep the government open until January 30, 2026. Many are watching headlines again to see what happens – whether it’s another shutdown or business as usual.
“When policy signals are mixed, utilities benefit from scenario planning and funding pathway diversification rather than halting progress,” he noted.
Expect cascading impacts and plan for continuity
As the panel pointed out, CLEAResult Energetics has a long history of working as a stabilizing function within ecosystems to bring continuity to programs and best practices.
“We’ve seen expansion and contraction – boom and bust cycles. When changes happen, they cascade down and out to utilities and states, developers, and local government,” said Dr. Emmanuel Taylor, Senior Energy Engineer with CLEAResult Energetics.
The panel offered deep context around the federal changes, including the Department of Energy’s major organizational shifts and some personnel reassigned under critical minerals and infrastructure. These changes amount to delays and reductions – not just disappearances from an organizational chart. The uncertainty creates additional risks for adapting new technology or commercialization efforts.
The rising political current of affordability
One major theme highlighted in the webinar was the likely influence of affordability on policy decisions. “Virginia’s story,” said McIlwain, “could be a preview of what many regions will face.”
Commonly referred to as “the data center capital of the world,” Northern Virginia hosts the highest global concentration of data centers – nearly 150 facilities as of late 2024 – with more projects in development.
According to the Piedmont Environmental Council, Virginia’s electricity demand driven by data centers is projected to triple by 2040 for electric cooperatives alone, aligning with a projected sixfold increase in peak demand compared to 2022. This surge is already impacting household budgets. Residential electricity costs in Virginia increased by about 13% – significantly higher than the national average for states with high data center concentrations.
These cost pressures are colliding with household realities, where families make tough choices between bills and groceries. As Seth Little pointed out, “Acknowledging nuance around competing priorities is foundational to developing and deploying programs to lower bills.”
Follow the realities of the market
The panel noted that strategies to bring about affordability will be undermined if renewables are deprioritized. “The economics of renewables could outlast any administrative headwinds,” McIlwain said. His takeaway? Keep investing in cost-effective renewables, storage, and demand flexibility. They remain a fast, affordable path to capacity and resilience.
Other moves utilities can make now
- Broaden how you measure cost-effectiveness: Show real customer savings, even as calculation methods change.
- Stabilize stakeholder relationships with transparency: Maintain relationships and strengthen commitments.
- Treat supply chain as a strategic lever: Tariffs and material shortages can disrupt timelines if you’re not ahead of them. Monitor risks early and prepare backup products or suppliers.
- Avoid headline whiplash: Don’t overreact. Take time to synthesize information after the dust settles.
How CLEAResult Energetics can help
Since 1979, and now as part of CLEAResult, Energetics has bridged federal, state, and utility priorities with practical execution across critical minerals, industrial efficiency, advanced manufacturing, demand side management, energy efficiency, demand response and commercialization support.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss future-proofing your programs.