In this episode of The Economist Next Door, Paul Mueller is joined by AIER colleagues Julia Cartwright and Ryan Yonk for a wide-ranging conversation on the past, present, and future of American energy.
They explore how energy is produced in the United States, why the diversity of U.S. energy sources makes the system unusually robust, and how regulation and subsidies can undermine that strength.
The trio compares US and Chinese energy systems, unpacks the politics of “green” mandates and subsidies, and explains why nuclear power—especially advanced and small modular reactors—may be essential for both reliability and decarbonization. Along the way, they discuss the Trump administration’s recent energy moves, the backlog of projects waiting to connect to the grid, and why letting markets—not politicians—pick winners is crucial for innovation and affordability.