Webinar From Electrification to Data Centers: Rethinking Planning in an Era of Uncertain Growth Apr 9, 2026 11:30 AM PT / 2:30 PM ET 60 minutes Watch On-Demand Members Free Non-members $79 Watch On-Demand Electrification over the past decade introduced sustained load growth after years of flat demand. Today, large loads such as data centers and advanced manufacturing are accelerating that trend, but with even greater uncertainty around timing, location, and magnitude. This session will explore: How electrification and large loads are reshaping long-term load forecasting Similarities and differences between EV-driven growth and data center expansion Managing certainty of growth with uncertainty of siting Evolving planning tools, scenario modeling, and probabilistic approaches Audience Will Learn: How EV load growth and data center growth represent fundamentally different risk profiles How leading utilities are using scenario analysis, trigger points, and probabilistic modeling to make investment decisions under uncertainty rather than waiting for perfect certainty How to design planning frameworks that preserve optionality while maintaining reliability Watch On-Demand Not a member? Join a trusted, cross-sector community that leads the energy transition. Become a SEPA member today to unlock savings, expand your influence, and help move the industry forward. View Membership Info Share Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn About the Speakers Sophie Myer Director of Power Systems, Grid Strategies Greg Mandelman Director of Forecasting, Modeling, and Analytics, Electric Power Engineers (EPE) Jed Cohen Manager, Salt River Project Garrett Fitzgerald Senior Director, Research & Industry Strategy | Transportation Electrification, SEPA Garrett joined SEPA in 2021 as Principal, Electrification. He leads SEPAs work focused on the beneficial electrification of transportation and buildings. Garrett collaborates with the other SEPA focus area teams to help utilities and other stakeholders navigate a smooth transition to a highly electrified and low-carbon future. Prior to joining SEPA, Garrett spent 8 years working at Rocky Mountain Institute. While at RMI, he built and led the electricity program in India that works to accelerate the integration of electric vehicles and clean energy portfolios. During his tenure at RMI, Garrett managed the Fleet Electrification program, co-led the EV-Grid initiative, and was deeply engaged in work related to energy storage, distributed solar, and load flexibility. He has extensive expertise in technical and business model aspects of EV charging infrastructure, EV-specific tariff design, energy storage, and demand side flexibility. Garrett holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University and a MS and Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University. Garrett is passionate about the environment and is an enthusiastic snowboarder, mountain biker, and general lover of the outdoors. He resides in the small town of Carbondale, Colorado with his wife Amy and his toddler son Noah.