The electric utility sector stands at a critical juncture, facing unprecedented power demand driven by AI data centers and electrification, projected to hit record highs by 2026. This surge is colliding with an impending affordability crisis, as over 100 utilities plan rate increases affecting nearly half of all U.S. electricity customers. Meanwhile, a new legal era, marked by the Supreme Court's Loper Bright decision, empowers courts over expert agencies, increasing regulatory risk for projects. This episode explores how these forces, alongside challenges like controversies over government clean energy initiatives and battles over utility acquisitions, are pushing the limits of our current energy systems.