Skip To Content
Contact us
INVESTORS CAREERS NEWS LOGIN
2026 U.S. Summer Market Outlook

2026 U.S. Summer Market Outlook

During NRG’s U.S. Summer Market Outlook, moderator, Jeff Kopala and presenters, Jon deJong, Erik Listor, and Bruce Murray discussed market trends shaping seasonal electricity and natural gas markets across the U.S. They also touched on purchasing strategies to confidently manage risk during a challenging season.

Watch the webinar

Our experts reviewed:

  • Weather: An analysis of historical weather patterns and a look ahead at summer forecasts
  • Market update: An in-depth look at energy market fundamentals, including supply, demand, economic and geopolitical factors, along with a review of historical and forward pricing trends
  • Purchasing strategy: Expert, tangible examples of energy purchasing plans for businesses that align with current market conditions and various risk tolerance levels

Key takeaways

Want more context? Download our comprehensive summary of the discussion to keep all the in-depth details right at your fingertips.

Download the Summary Sheet

Speakers

Jon deJong - Manager, Load Analytics and Meteorology, NRG Energy, Inc.

 

Jon provides day-to-day weather updates for all the major ISOs across North America with an increasing focus on renewables and seasonal forecasting. His 18-year professional forecast experience spans weather and climate impacts to industries including pro sports teams, the Department of Transportation, ERCOT, and railroads in the western U.S. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from St. Cloud State University.

Erik Listor – Client Strategist, Portfolio Services, NRG Energy, Inc.

 

Erik Listor has spent 7 years in the energy industry, beginning his career in energy management for a building operations team, providing commercial energy procurement and demand management strategies. Currently, he serves as a Client Strategist for the eastern sales region, with a focus on NRG's New York customer portfolio. He helps customers to strategize their energy procurement and manage risk through market insights and advanced analytics. Erik is responsible for ensuring customers make the most informed decisions around their energy purchasing strategies, while providing the highest possible service experience. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Messiah College and is a Certified Energy Manager with the Association of Energy Engineers.

Bruce Murray – Technical Sales; NRG Energy, Inc.

 

Bruce Murray is an Account Executive on NRG’s Technical Sales team, supporting customers across the New England market. He works closely with account teams and clients to deliver strategic power and natural gas solutions, with a focus on procurement, pricing strategy, and risk management. 

With more than 25 years of experience in both wholesale and retail energy markets, Bruce has supported a wide range of customers — from commercial and industrial organizations to municipal, state, and federal entities. Prior to NRG, he held senior roles at Constellation (Exelon) and ENGIE, building deep expertise in wholesale power trading, portfolio management, and customer-focused energy sales. 

Bruce brings extensive knowledge of fixed and indexed pricing structures, block and hedge strategies, and managed energy solutions, providing clients with informed, practical guidance in complex market environments. 
He holds an M.B.A. in Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and a B.S. in Business Administration – Finance from Drexel University.

Moderator

Jeff Kopala – Manager, Sales, NRG Energy, Inc.

 

Jeffrey is known for navigating change in a dynamic industry and for building strong, trusted broker relationships that support sustainable growth. He has also contributed to strategic initiatives at NRG, including involvement in the development of the Emerging Desk concept, aimed at increasing efficiency and scalability within broker management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University. Jeffrey Kopala is a MidCon Regional Sales Manager at NRG with more than 17 years at the company and nearly two decades of experience in competitive energy markets. He serves as an Account Executive in the Midwest, specializing in broker and third‑party sales, with deep expertise across Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as broad familiarity with deregulated markets nationwide.

Jeffrey is known for navigating change in a dynamic industry and for building strong, trusted broker relationships that support sustainable growth. He has also contributed to strategic initiatives at NRG, including involvement in the development of the Emerging Desk concept, aimed at increasing efficiency and scalability within broker management.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University.

STAY IN
THE KNOW