Insights from Highwire's Energy and Sustainability Roundtable
The energy and sustainability landscape is evolving faster than ever, and 2025 promises to be a year of profound shifts and challenges. That was the consensus among top energy and climate reporters who gathered for a recent roundtable discussion hosted by Highwire’s Energy and Sustainability Practice. Featuring Laila Kearney from Reuters, Maeve Allsup from Latitude Media, and Katie Brigham from Heatmap, and moderated by Melinda Briana Epler, the conversation explored the state of energy technology, the future of the grid, and the political and market forces shaping the energy transition.
To sum up the energy landscape in 2025 in just one or two words the panelists used, “shifting,” “unknown,” “in limbo,” and “too much.” Their perspective underscores the uncertainty and rapid changes defining the sector with a new administration in place and global energy demand surging. Here’s what else they shared with us:
Yesterday was the best time for climate tech to rebrand
Brigham noted the shift away from promoting renewables like wind and solar in favor of natural gas and nuclear power, driven by new political priorities. Climate tech companies face pressure to rebrand their messaging around energy security and economic resilience rather than decarbonization. "Companies are really having to think about rebranding, and that’s just a smart thing to do," Brigham said.
Building on Brigham’s perspective, Allsup highlighted the fragile position of federal funding for large-scale projects like hydrogen and direct air capture (DAC) hubs. She noted that while companies publicly express confidence in the continuity of these initiatives, she’s hearing widespread concern behind the scenes about the durability of government support. Allsup also underscored the unique vulnerability of venture-backed startups, which operate on shorter timelines and are more susceptible to policy shifts.
Data centers driving nuclear, geothermal & battery storage
Kearney outlined her evolution of reporting on data centers’ explosive growth: It started first with trying to understand whether the demand is real. Now it’s about determining where the demand is real.
As hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft build massive data center campuses, questions arise about grid reliability, equitable access to power, and the environmental impact of increased natural gas reliance.
This surge in data center demand has also created opportunities for emerging technologies. Both Allsup and Brigham noted the flurry of experimentation happening as tech companies explore innovative energy solutions, including geothermal, nuclear, and battery storage. But the question remains: Which of these technologies will scale, and which are merely short-term bets?
What about pitching in today's environment?
To round out the conversation, the reporters dove into the best way to work with them and what they’re focused on. They all emphasized the value of exclusives and on-background conversations, especially right now. Many companies are hesitant to speak on the record about the current energy environment. However, these conversations, Brigham noted, often provide a sense of the uncertainties and challenges that companies are facing, helping to shape broader reporting around the energy transition. Kearney also emphasized that on-background interviews can help build trust.
When it comes to tech, it’s important to emphasize scale and impact of technology. For instance, they agreed that renewable natural gas (RNG) captured from cows on a farm is interesting, but they’d be skeptical about it becoming a mainstream energy source. Specifically, Laila said that while RNG is "niche," it could be appealing to reporters because it is "out of the box." However, she also questioned whether RNG could realistically supply a significant portion of the power mix.
Similarly, when discussing whether they’d ever cover a vendor who is improving the energy efficiency of a data center, the question of scale came up. What numbers show its actual impact? It can also sometimes be too in the weeds for how they’re covering the topic.
Latitude Media, Maeve Allsup
Allsup prioritizes writing in-depth pieces on how projects are developed and the challenges they face. "I'm really looking for kind of specific, maybe unreported or more niche details around how something is getting built, how a deal came together, or how a project is actually performing," she said. Allsup also works to understand the broader implications of individual projects and how they fit into the larger energy and sustainability landscape.
Heatmap, Katie Brigham
Brigham echoed Allsup's sentiments, adding that she likes experts to “give it to us straight about what your concerns are, what you're thinking about at this moment, what your questions are.”
Reuters, Laila Kearney
Kearney looks for a broader understanding of the industry and the companies involved. She casts a wide net when working on a story and talks to as many people as possible to get a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
Want to dive deeper? Check out the full webinar here for exclusive insights.
Navigating energy’s cross roads
The decisions made by policymakers, utilities, and innovators in the coming months will shape the trajectory of the energy transition for years to come. By fostering conversations like this roundtable, we can help companies navigate the shifting landscape with empathy, insight, and a commitment to sustainable progress.
If your company is looking to stay ahead of these shifts and position itself as a leader in the energy transition, Highwire can help. As a strategic, integrated communications partner with deep expertise in energy and sustainability, Highwire collaborates with innovators and industry leaders to tell their stories and drive impactful conversations.
Reach out to meet with us at CERAWeek, or learn more at highwirepr.com
