Episode 2

Miguel Prado & Frank Macchiarola: Strengthening the Grid for Tomorrow’s Energy Demands | Insights from CLEANPOWER 2025

In this special episode of Consensus in Conversation live from the PowerCast stage at CLEANPOWER 2025, host Conor Gaughan talks with Miguel Prado, CEO of energyRe, and Frank Macchiarola, Chief Advocacy Officer at American Clean Power about the urgency of strengthening America's grid infrastructure to meet our growing energy demands. 

Miguel and Frank discuss critical investments in renewable energy, from utility-scale solar and underground transmission to offshore wind, laying out the powerful economic and community benefits these projects bring. They also delve into current regulatory challenges, the need for policy stability, and how energy infrastructure projects can support energy independence and economic growth.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Miguel Prado and Frank Macchiarola on: 

  • How major renewable energy trends like data centers, electrification, and clean industry are driving unprecedented demand for reliable power.
  • Why strengthening America’s aging grid is critical to unlocking more clean energy capacity and keeping energy affordable.
  • How utility-scale solar, offshore wind, and underground transmission projects deliver economic development and community benefits.
  • The biggest policy and regulatory hurdles facing renewable energy developers today — and why policy stability matters.
  • What communities, investors, and policymakers each need to do to ensure America’s energy independence and grid resilience.

Learn more at energyre.com and cleanpower.org

Find Frank Macchiarola and Miguel Prado on LinkedIn

Connect with Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn and Threads @ckgone 

This is the second episode in a three-part series recorded live from CleanPower 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. If you liked this conversation, stay tuned for part three with Kevin Doffing, founder & CEO of Project Vanguard. 

For more great interviews, follow Consensus in Conversation on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. 

Consensus in Conversation is hosted and executive produced by Conor Gaughan. This episode was produced by Kate Tucker for Consensus Media in partnership with American Clean Power. Special thanks to our PowerCast production team: ACP’s Senior Manager of Powercasts –  Hannah Papp, James Lamparter of Diamond Pro Audio, and Paul Pollard of SlideSpiel.

Gratitude as always to the team at Consensus Media including Greg Herrigel on research and Patrick Gallagher on strategy.

If you liked this episode, please consider leaving a review, it helps us build consensus, and great conversations! 

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About your host

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Conor Gaughan

CONOR GAUGHAN
Conor founded Consensus Digital Media to
tell uplifting stories about topics that inspire. He
spent the last decade building a digital strategy
firm, and the ten years before that in media
investment banking. Conor graduated with honors
from Harvard University with a
degree in Economics, but his
(super cute) dog, Ace, makes
up for it. Most importantly– he’s
passionate about creators,
innovators, and entrepreneurs
who are making a difference
while making good money.