Electricity underwrites nearly every aspect of modern life, yet decisions about power, cost, and control are increasingly opaque. New York Times energy correspondent Ivan Penn joins Mark Labberton to unpack how data centres, AI, utilities, and politics are reshaping the grid—and who ultimately bears the cost.
"The real focus is who pays and who gets paid."
In this episode with Mark Labberton, Penn reflects on his journey into journalism, his unexpected path into energy reporting, and how covering power revealed the economic forces shaping daily life.
Together they discuss electricity as a moral and economic issue, the rise of AI-driven data centres, nuclear power's return, utilities versus tech giants, consumer vulnerability, racial inequity in journalism, and faith as a commitment to truth.
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Episode Highlights
"The real focus is who pays and who gets paid."
"Electricity is the most important resource we have."
"The utilities once the Goliath have suddenly become a David."
"We wouldn't have need for any of this if you didn't build a data centre."
"To be able to stop abuse with a pen is a powerful thing."
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About Ivan Penn
Ivan Penn is an energy correspondent for the New York Times, where he reports on electricity, utilities, nuclear power, data centres, and the economic forces shaping the energy transition. He has covered energy and utilities for more than fifteen years and has previously worked at the Los Angeles Times, Tampa Bay Times, Baltimore Sun, and Miami Herald. Penn's reporting has examined nuclear plant failures, grid reliability, climate pressures, and the growing influence of technology companies in energy markets. A longtime journalist shaped by investigative reporting, he is also attentive to issues of equity, public accountability, and consumer protection.
Penn is a graduate of the University of Maryland and was the first black editor-in-chief of its student newspaper. He also holds a master's in global leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and was a John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University.
His work reflects a commitment to accuracy, fairness, and public service journalism.
Learn more and follow at nytimes.com/by/ivan-penn
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Helpful Links and Resources
Ivan Penn – New York Times profile https://www.nytimes.com/by/ivan-penn
The New York Times – Energy and Environment coverage https://www.nytimes.com/section/climate
Three Mile Island nuclear plant background https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/3mile-isle
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners https://www.naruc.org
PJM Interconnection electricity market https://www.pjm.com
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Show Notes
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#EnergyPolicy #ElectricityGrid #Journalism #FaithAndPublicLife #AIInfrastructure #Utilities #ClimateEconomy
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Production Credits
Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.
