Published
May 22, 2025
The second annual Energy Future Forum, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, RealClear, and the National Center for Energy Analytics, convened top energy leaders to confront the reality of a rapidly transforming energy landscape.
With AI-driven demand surging and infrastructure lagging, the forum delivered a clear message: the future of energy must be abundant, reliable, and resilient.
The Age of “More”
Marty Durbin of the Global Energy Institute opened with a powerful observation: “We need more of everything”—from electrons and pipelines to critical minerals and factories. The explosion in energy demand, especially from AI and data centers, is reshaping the grid and redefining national security.
AI and Data Centers: The New Energy Giants
Mark Mills (NCEA) emphasized that data centers now consume more natural gas daily than a SpaceX launch. With cloud computing growing 20% annually, our infrastructure must evolve to support this demand.
Energy Security & the Return to Reality
Daniel Yergin (S&P Global) and Scott Tinker (Switch Energy Alliance) highlighted the “regression to reality:” the dream of a smooth transition has collided with permitting delays and geopolitical constraints.
Their message: Diversification and agility are key.
Dispatchable Power is Non-Negotiable
FERC Commissioner Mark Christie warned that the U.S. is retiring dispatchable resources (like coal and natural gas) faster than it can replace them. With demand rising, this imbalance threatens grid reliability.
Permitting Paralysis
Nearly every speaker pointed to permitting delays as a bottleneck. Projects are routinely tied up in litigation, stalling progress and investment. The call for judicial and regulatory reform was loud and clear.
A Holistic Security Perspective
Devon Energy President and CEO Clay Gaspar urged attendees to remain mindful of the intersection of energy security and national security: "There is a direct correlation between energy security, economic security, national security, and world peace."
Capital Follows Certainty
Investors and developers echoed a common refrain: policy consistency is critical. Executive orders and temporary incentives aren’t enough. Long-term certainty is needed to unlock the countless billions in capital required to build tomorrow’s energy infrastructure.
The Big Picture
The Forum concluded with a sobering but hopeful tone. As Mills put it, “there is no magic button—but we can do it if we’re allowed to unleash our capabilities.”
The consensus was clear: this transition is not about abandoning the past but building a more resilient and abundant future.
About the author
Heath Knakmuhs
Knakmuhs studies, develops, and communicates strategic energy policies and initiatives with a focus on the electric power sector. He also examines the impact of regulatory action, market-based factors, and emerging threats on the American electric grid.
