Energy Advocacy Firm HBW Resources Taps Veteran Lobbyist Amidst Data Center Power Surge

HOUSTON, TX – January 27, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a new focus on the energy sector's latest high-stakes challenge, government affairs firm HBW Resources has appointed Jeff Ostermayer, a two-decade veteran of energy policy and communications, as its new Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications. The appointment comes as the energy industry grapples with the explosive growth of power-hungry data centers, an issue one company executive has dubbed "the latest energy battleground."

Ostermayer will spearhead HBW's communications and public affairs initiatives, leveraging his extensive background to guide clients through an increasingly complex web of policy, regulation, and public opinion. The hire underscores a broader industry trend where specialized advocacy firms are becoming indispensable assets for corporations navigating the volatile intersection of technology, infrastructure, and politics.

"We are thrilled to have Jeff join our organization at such a critical time for energy across the nation," HBW Managing Partner David Holt said in a statement. Holt directly linked the strategic importance of the hire to the emerging data center crisis. "With data centers becoming the latest energy battleground, Jeff’s experience will be invaluable."

A Strategic Play for New Energy Battlegrounds

Holt's reference to data centers as a "battleground" is not hyperbole. Across the country, the rapid proliferation of these massive computing facilities—the backbone of cloud computing and artificial intelligence—is placing unprecedented strain on local and regional power grids. The International Energy Agency has projected that data centers' electricity consumption could double by 2026, creating significant demand-side pressure that utilities are struggling to meet.

This surge has ignited policy debates and regulatory challenges. In states like Louisiana, public service commissioners have faced criticism for proposing measures that would suspend energy efficiency programs and customer protections to fast-track data center development, raising fears of soaring electricity rates for residential customers. Similar conflicts are emerging nationwide as communities and utilities weigh the economic benefits of tech investment against the costs of grid modernization and potential environmental impacts.

Ostermayer's background makes him uniquely suited to navigate these conflicts. His most recent role was Managing Director of Public Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the influential trade association representing all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. These are the very utilities on the front lines of the data center power crunch, tasked with building out infrastructure while managing costs and reliability. His experience at EEI involved leading public affairs and grassroots advocacy on critical issues impacting electricity customers, including high-stakes campaigns to defeat local ballot measures aimed at government takeovers of utilities.

The Architect of Advocacy: A Two-Decade Journey

Ostermayer's career path charts a deliberate course through the corridors of power in both Washington D.C. and the corporate world. His journey has equipped him with a formidable blend of public and private sector expertise. Before his long tenure at EEI, he managed corporate communications for Florida Power & Light, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, focusing on regulatory matters, energy storage, and sustainability.

His resume also includes senior media relations roles at the National Association of Manufacturers, providing him with a broad perspective on the needs of large industrial energy consumers. His government service is equally notable, with stints in the U.S. House of Representatives as Communications Director for Rep. Tom Rooney and Legislative Assistant for Rep. Mark Foley. During the George W. Bush Administration, he served as Assistant Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, gaining crisis communications experience at a national level.

This diverse background, moving seamlessly between crafting legislation, managing political campaigns, and shaping corporate narratives, makes him a powerful asset in the world of specialized advocacy. "I'm excited to join HBW at such an important time for the energy industry," Ostermayer stated. "HBW's reputation for delivering strategic, results-oriented solutions is well-established. I look forward to leveraging my experience to help our clients navigate the evolving policy landscape and achieve their goals."

HBW's Expanding Influence and Advocacy Playbook

Ostermayer joins a firm known for its aggressive and often highly effective advocacy campaigns. Headquartered in Houston, HBW Resources has built a reputation for navigating clients through complex regulatory and political challenges in the energy, environment, and transportation sectors. The firm claims to have run nearly 300 successful advocacy campaigns since 2005, boasting a client list that includes Fortune 500 companies and major trade associations.

HBW's influence is amplified through its management of third-party organizations. The firm played a foundational role in establishing and continues to manage the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), which presents itself as a broad-based coalition advocating for consumers and a sensible energy policy. However, the relationship has drawn scrutiny from environmental groups and industry watchdogs, who have characterized CEA as a sophisticated front group for fossil fuel and utility interests. Critics point to the fact that CEA has historically operated from HBW's offices and note that HBW has been a primary recipient of CEA's revenue, raising questions about the group's independence.

This model of creating and managing allied organizations is a key part of the modern advocacy playbook, allowing a single firm to project influence through multiple channels and shape public opinion on contentious issues, from pipeline construction to solar power policies. The addition of Ostermayer, a seasoned leader from the heart of the utility establishment, fits perfectly within this strategic framework, enhancing HBW's ability to mobilize powerful interests and execute complex campaigns.

Navigating a Grid Under Pressure

The challenges that prompted Ostermayer's hiring extend far beyond data centers. The entire U.S. energy grid is under immense pressure from the competing demands of decarbonization, electrification of transport and buildings, and the urgent need for modernization to improve reliability and resilience. Integrating vast new sources of renewable energy while maintaining a stable power supply requires a massive build-out of transmission infrastructure—a process fraught with permitting delays, local opposition, and political hurdles.

Firms like HBW Resources are at the center of these debates, working to streamline permitting processes and build political support for large capital projects on behalf of their clients. In recent years, HBW has expanded its services to include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) consulting, even launching a software service to help companies report their ESG performance. This move reflects an adaptation to changing market expectations, where even traditional energy players face pressure to demonstrate sustainability.

Ostermayer's arrival at HBW is a clear indicator that as the energy transition accelerates, the battles over policy, resources, and infrastructure will only intensify. His appointment is not merely a personnel change; it is a strategic reinforcement for a firm positioning itself to influence the critical decisions that will shape the nation's energy future for decades to come.