CERAWeek Recap: Empowering America’s Energy Future
By Dane Bahnsen, Vice President
At CERAWeek, global leaders in energy and policymaking converged in Houston for energy’s premier thought leadership forum to discuss what’s next for our ever-evolving sector. Secretary Chris Wright shared his policy roadmap for sustaining American energy dominance, reducing consumer costs, ensuring our industries remain competitive globally, and his support for fusion, fission, and geothermal energy.
Below are key insights and emerging themes from this fantastic week of discussions, meetings, and endless receptions.
Energy as the Foundation of Modern Life
Throughout the week, nearly every panel recognized the same reality: no one can thrive without robust, affordable energy. As the Secretary highlighted, energy underpins modern progress, whether powering our digital economy, enabling advanced manufacturing, or fueling AI-driven innovation.
A Renaissance for Nuclear and Geothermal
While natural gas commanded much attention, nuclear and geothermal also drew renewed optimism. Nuclear power provides a reliable, zero-emission baseload that can rapidly expand with the right policy incentives and public-private collaboration. The Secretary’s commitment to “massive private capital deployment and innovative partnerships” is key, particularly for advanced reactor designs and next-generation fusion research.
Geothermal energy enjoyed a surge of interest at CERAWeek, thanks to advancements in drilling technology and bipartisan support primarily led by Fervo Energy. As someone who champions a holistic, realistic, and robust energy strategy, I see geothermal as a near-term, baseload-ready resource that leverages America’s unmatched oil and gas workforce and infrastructure.
The Unlimited Demand for Energy in the AI Era
CERAWeek attendees also explored how energy-intensive the coming wave of AI and high-performance computing will be. As AI usage proliferates, a reliable power supply–like natural gas, nuclear, or geothermal—becomes integral to national security, economic growth, and job creation. Maintaining affordable electricity prices is, therefore, not just about comfort but about winning the AI race on the global stage.
Conclusion: An Era of Energy Addition
CERAWeek showcased a fundamental shift in how policymakers, industry leaders, and technology developers talk about energy. Rather than naively framing it as a “transition,” the focus is on energy addition, scaling up all dependable sources to meet surging demand.
With natural gas as a foundational resource, nuclear power back in the spotlight, and geothermal power ascending, America has every reason to be optimistic about its energy future. From my vantage point, strategic alignment with federal priorities, regulatory reforms, and a clear-eyed view of climate realities will be the keys to accelerating innovation and ensuring America stays at the forefront of global energy leadership.
