In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal Bloom sits down with Troy Helming, founder and CEO of EarthGrid, to explore one of the most ambitious infrastructure plays of our time: building an underground super grid. Troy shares how a chance conversation about Navy SEAL plasma cutters sparked the idea for plasma-based tunnel boring, and how EarthGrid is now using that technology to dramatically reduce the cost, time, and friction of underground infrastructure.

The conversation spans Troy’s decades-long journey through clean energy, wind, solar, and transmission, the real bottlenecks slowing the energy transition, and why underground infrastructure may be the fastest path to unlocking renewable power, AI data centres, water systems, and broadband at scale. From melting granite with plasma to navigating regulation as a registered utility, this episode is a masterclass in deep tech, systems thinking, and building for generational impact.

Key Topics Covered

  • The origin story of EarthGrid and plasma-based tunnel boring

  • How a Navy SEAL plasma cutting torch inspired a new approach to excavation

  • The 10–20 year reality of permitting overhead power lines

  • How underground infrastructure cuts permitting timelines dramatically

  • Troy’s background in wind and solar and building multi-billion-dollar energy platforms

  • Plasma excavation vs traditional drilling, blasting, and tunneling

  • EarthGrid’s patented “Thunderdome” spoils removal system

  • Trenching vs tunneling use cases for data centers, utilities, and substations

  • Why EarthGrid operates as both a contractor and a utility

  • The BOOM model: Build, Own, Operate, Maintain

  • Underground infrastructure as long-term, cash-flowing real estate

  • AI-driven data center demand and the infrastructure crunch

  • Why regulation can be a competitive advantage, not a blocker

  • Troy’s long-term vision for quality-of-life improvements through infrastructure

Links & Resources

  • EarthGrid

Connect on Linkedin

  • Troy Helming

  • Neal Bloom

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