Nic Gladd, a partner in Wilson Sonsini’s energy and climate solutions practice, recently joined Latitude Media editor Lisa Martine Jenkins for a conversation at Transition AI 2025. Their discussion focused on the widening gap between the surging demand for AI infrastructure and the pace of energy project development, which is slowed by regulatory bottlenecks. As Nic explained, front-of-the-meter energy solutions can take nearly a decade to bring online—far too long to meet the urgent needs of AI growth—prompting companies to explore faster, more bespoke alternatives. Yet these innovative approaches frequently face resistance from regulators like FERC, which have been slow to adapt. While the Federal Power Act provides flexibility, Nic noted that making use of it requires both political will and regulatory boldness—qualities in short supply.

Nic also underscored often-overlooked risks in project development, including the complexity of interconnection processes and the danger of curtailment during periods of grid stress. He cautioned that major AI infrastructure projects could face serious operational setbacks if they assume uninterrupted access to power. On the regulatory front, Nic sees a clear shift: FERC is now increasingly focused on data center load, with those demands driving many of its most high-profile proceedings. Likewise, state utility commissions are becoming more actively engaged, recognizing that accelerating AI growth is already reshaping utility planning, rate structures, and ultimately, consumer costs.

Click here to read the complete interview.