
Political Climate Win or Learn: Shane Battier on Energy’s March Madness Moment
Mar 31, 2026
Shane Battier, former Duke star and two-time NBA champion turned clean energy leader at Palmetto, brings a sports mindset to cleantech. He connects March Madness lessons to building culture, resilience, and storytelling for solar. The conversation also dives into CERA Week takeaways, AI power strategies, grid utilization, a surprising coal comeback, and shifting offshore wind plans.
AI Snips
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Episode notes
Start Where You Are Now
- Start acting now rather than waiting for perfect conditions; small steps compound over time.
- Battier’s simple rule: “When's the best time to plant a tree? Yesterday,” urging immediate action in energy adoption.
Regulatory Split Over Hyperscaler Engagement
- Regulators worry hyperscalers aren’t engaging, but hyperscalers are actively hiring and negotiating with FERC.
- Neil Chatterjee flagged a potential split at FERC between a cautious chair and a commissioner pushing bolder AI-era grid changes.
Two Competing Models To Power AI
- Hyperscalers are using two divergent models to power AI: flexible demand-plus-storage versus large new thermal and transmission builds.
- Google’s Michigan plan pairs 2.7 GW of new resources with 1 GW of demand response; SB Energy proposes 9.3 GW gas-led buildout in Ohio.

