Stephen Girard, Vice President – East Region, NRG

In an interview with Invest:, Stephen Girard, vice president of East Region sales at NRG, said the Pittsburgh energy market is navigating a period of significant transition, shaped by rising prices and soaring demand from new technologies. “Energy affordability has become a major focus as clients work to navigate the higher costs they’ve faced over the past 12 months,” said Girard. 

What recent changes have had the greatest impact on NRG’s Pittsburgh operations? 

We’ve seen a few key trends this year. Energy prices have risen across eastern U.S. markets, driven not only by the energy component of customer bills, but also by demand charges needed to support grid growth. These increases stem primarily from the fact that we’re seeing a massive surge in electricity demand from three things: the electrification of transportation, large-scale industrial onshoring, and data center and AI development. 
My team and I manage sales in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania for commercial and industrial customers, so it’s an interesting time. Energy affordability has become a major focus as clients work to navigate the higher costs they’ve faced over the past 12 months. 

How is NRG positioning itself to seize opportunities and manage risks from trends like decarbonization, digitization, and grid modernization? 

At NRG, we focus on expanding generation and participating in key markets, including working with developers and data centers. My role involves partnering with complex customers to build tailored energy strategies and assess their growth and load needs from new facilities. We create comprehensive energy plans that help customers buy energy strategically — using hedges, timing purchases and selecting the right contract terms, which have recently trended longer because of higher prices. This approach allows customers to take advantage of opportunities in the energy supply curve while minimizing risk. 
 We also help customers reduce demand through both formal demand response programs offered by utilities or independent system operators (ISO) and informal systems that send signals to cut usage on high-demand days, such as during extreme summer heat. Our goal is to manage risk and limit surprises for procurement teams, CFOs or CEOs. Recent events — from cold snaps in Texas and the Northeast to rising AI and data center demand — show just how critical these strategies have become. 

What is NRG doing to recruit, train, and retain skilled workers in Pittsburgh? 

We’ve had a strong presence in Pittsburgh for more than 25 years, starting as Strategic Energy, then Direct Energy, and now NRG. We’ve long been a leader in retail choice for gas and electricity, with a focus on attracting top talent. As a Pittsburgh native, I’m proud of our team of energy professionals who work closely with customers on their energy needs. 
We recruit from local universities like University of Pittsburgh, Penn State and Carnegie Mellon, bringing in interns to introduce young talent to our organization. While we initially focused on engineers and finance professionals, we’re now tapping into university energy management programs to attract passionate individuals who understand the industry. This talent base supports NRG’s commercial and industrial customers. 

We also focus a lot on talent acquisition and retention, ensuring employees have opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. As some of our best team members move into new phases of their careers, we’re committed to developing the next generation of leaders at NRG, especially here in Pittsburgh. 

Today, our office is working on data center projects both locally and across the country, and developing AI tools to improve employee and customer outcomes. These efforts help us grow and engage our talent — and ensure NRG remains a leader in the market. 

Beyond education and workforce programs, how does NRG support the Pittsburgh community through philanthropy or environmental initiatives? 

With nearly 200 employees in Western Pennsylvania, our team is highly engaged and prioritizes volunteering and giving back to the community. A flagship effort is NRG’s Choose to Give program with UPMC’s Children’s Hospital Foundation. Customers on this electricity plan contribute $50 upon enrollment, plus 1% of their annual supply charges, supporting children’s health while receiving a predictable 12-month electricity rate. We’ve donated more than $2.8 million since January 2023, surpassing $2 million in March 2025. 

 We also support UPMC’s WDVE Rocks Children’s Radiothon, the Walk for Children’s Celebrity Cares Fest, and local charity golf outings benefiting organizations like Bike Pittsburgh, Beverly’s Birthdays, Hannah Topia, Lower Valley Community Food Bank, Carson Soap and the Pittsburgh Advocacy Center with Pump. Recently, we packed more than 40,000 meals for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, with nearly 100% employee participation — a recurring effort our team truly loves. 

What are NRG’s main goals and priorities for Pittsburgh over the next two to three years? 

We aim to grow our business and help customers and partners navigate any energy challenges they may face. Face-to-face conversations — whether on Zoom or Teams, in conference rooms, or even at a Steelers game — are what drive real impact on the local economy. We prioritize being in front of customers so we can help them manage their energy spend effectively. 

Community engagement is also essential. Even as a national company, we succeed by being deeply involved in local communities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Columbus and elsewhere. By helping customers, retaining strong talent, and giving back, we will meet our goals and continue to grow.