Connect | Virginia // Panel: Beyond the megawatts - Power diplomacy, transparency, and the social license to operate
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- Energy Summit
- Energy & Sustainability
- Mission Critical Power
- Open Session
Speakers
Chief Marketing and Product Officer, EdgeConneX
Preston Grisham
Vice President of Policy & External Affairs, Cologix
Kimberly Embrey
Director, Training & Development, Stream Data Centers
The era of demanding large power blocks by a fixed date is giving way to a new one. Operators must seek collaborative models where developers, utilities, regulators, and communities work together to deliver infrastructure at scale. Transparency and early engagement are the crux of success, impacting how projects are connected and accepted by local communities. At the same time, states like Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia are moving quickly to legislate new frameworks for large loads, rewarding projects that integrate clean energy and contribute to broader grid health. This panel will discuss:
- Best practices for developing durable political and community relationships before legislation is drafted
- How to address organized opposition when energy project details are commercially sensitive?
- Raising awareness to create credible community engagement strategies
- How can developers leverage local workforce training to establish long-term community and political ties?