On the Powering America Podcast, Steve Cortes, president and founder of the League of American Workers, argues that large-scale wind energy projects are inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful, calling them a "multi-billion dollar scam" that depends on subsidies and redundant fossil fuel backup systems.

He contends that wind turbines fail to produce consistent, economically viable energy and often require extensive transmission that leads to power loss. Cortes contrasts this with natural gas, which he describes as abundant, reliable, and cleaner-burning, positioning it as the most practical solution for meeting U.S. energy demands in the near and medium term.

He also highlights policy barriers—particularly at the state level—that limit infrastructure development like pipelines, despite growing energy needs tied to industrial expansion and emerging technologies.

Cortes previously served as a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump and has produced documentaries focused on economic and energy policy.

The League of American Workers is an organization focused on promoting policies related to domestic industry, energy independence, and U.S. workers.

In this episode of the Powering America Podcast, host Bryan Hyde speaks with Bill Beard, Municipal Affairs Liaison at the Goldwater Institute, about the growing role of data centers in the modern economy and the policy debates surrounding them. Beard explains that data centers are essentially the digital equivalent of libraries—critical infrastructure that powers everything from smartphones to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

The conversation explores common concerns about energy use, water consumption, and environmental impact, with Beard arguing that technological advancements are making data centers more efficient through innovations like closed-loop cooling systems and alternative water sources. He also highlights how consistent energy demand from data centers can stabilize power grids and potentially align with emerging solutions like small modular nuclear reactors.

Beyond infrastructure, the episode dives into the broader implications of AI, with Beard emphasizing its potential to accelerate breakthroughs in areas like healthcare. The discussion ultimately returns to foundational principles, including property rights and free market dynamics, which Beard says are often missing from public conversations about energy and infrastructure development.

This episode offers a grounded, policy-focused look at how data centers fit into America's economic future—and why they may be more essential than many realize.

You can find the data center report that Bill mentioned below.

https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/policy-report/data-centers/

In Part 2 of this conversation, Polar LNG President Joel Riddle expands on the economic, strategic, and national security implications of developing liquefied natural gas on Alaska's North Slope. He outlines how the project could generate billions in investment, create thousands of jobs across the United States, and drive long-term economic growth in Alaska through tax revenues, royalties, and infrastructure development.

Riddle also discusses the project's role in advancing U.S. Arctic leadership, including the potential for year-round navigation, integration with military and Coast Guard operations, and strengthening America's geopolitical position in a region of increasing global competition. He emphasizes that Polar LNG is designed to complement—not compete with—other major projects like the Alaska LNG pipeline, while helping unlock vast natural gas reserves and enabling additional development, including energy-intensive AI data centers.

Looking ahead, Riddle details key milestones, including a targeted final investment decision by 2027 and phased production scaling through 2034. He frames the project as a long-term effort to transform the North Slope into a major hub for energy production, economic activity, and strategic infrastructure, positioning the U.S. as a leading supplier in the global LNG market.