Brian chats with Brigham McCown from the Hudson Institute 4/9/2026

In this episode of the 55KRC Morning Show, host Brian Thomas engages in a deep-dive conversation with Brigham McCown, energy policy expert from the Hudson Institute, discussing the current state of global energy markets amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the war between Israel and Iran. McCown argues that the U.S. is in a stronger position than ever before due to its 'all-of-the-above' energy policy, which has made it a net oil exporter and enabled energy independence. He criticizes the underfunded Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the failure to rebuild it after being drained by the Biden administration, and the self-inflicted damage caused by environmental regulations that have stifled domestic refining and infrastructure development. The conversation also explores how rising electricity demand—driven by data centers and AI growth—has strained regional grids like PJM, leading to higher consumer bills despite stable usage. McCown emphasizes that permitting reform is essential to modernize the grid, build new refineries, and deploy small modular reactors, but political gridlock and legal challenges from environmental groups continue to block progress. The episode concludes with a call for national unity on energy policy, warning that without reform, the U.S. will remain vulnerable to global volatility and unable to meet future energy demands. Key takeaways include: 1) The U.S. is energy independent thanks to domestic production, not foreign oil; 2) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve must be rebuilt to provide real national security; 3) Permitting reform is the single most urgent policy need to modernize infrastructure; 4) Data centers and AI are driving unsustainable electricity demand; 5) Climate litigation against energy companies is legally and scientifically flawed; 6) Europe’s energy crisis is self-inflicted through overreliance on green policies without backup; 7) Small modular reactors and nuclear power are critical for reliable, clean energy; 8) The U.S. must stop virtue signaling and focus on practical, scalable energy solutions.