All posts by Matt Kasper

Matt Kasper is the Deputy Director at the Energy and Policy Institute. He focuses on defending policies that further the development of clean energy sources. He also focuses on the companies and their front groups that obstruct policy solutions to global warming. Before joining the Energy and Policy Institute in 2014, Matt was a research assistant at the Center for American Progress where he worked on various state and local policy issues.

Utility Corruption

FirstEnergy scandal is latest example of utility corruption, deceit

Utilities have deceived public officials and investors to grow profits, occasionally leading to criminal investigations and prosecution.

/ July 23, 2020
DTE Energy set a net-zero carbon goal but continues to invest in gas

Michigan’s new PSC members will decide whether DTE electric customers should pay for some NEXUS gas pipeline costs

“DTE ratepayers should not be burdened with the unreasonable and unlawful costs resulting from DTE’s bad deal with its affiliate NEXUS” - Michigan Environmental Council

/ June 3, 2020

After its $2.65 billion gas asset acquisition, DTE Energy tells Wall Street there is nothing to worry about as Fitch downgrades the company

With an already troubled gas sector roiled by fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, DTE Energy is facing concerns from shareholders over the company’s growing exposure to natural gas.  DTE Midstream,...

/ April 28, 2020

Reports find Vectren customers can save millions if renewables replace coal, but utility continues with coal investments

Morgan Stanley and Sierra Club analyses find Vectren has opportunity to benefit customers in upcoming energy plan filings

/ March 18, 2020

While Wisconsin residents object to the $700 million Nemadji Trail Energy Center gas plant, their public officials submit supportive comments ghostwritten by industry

As the public comment period for a new natural gas power plant drew to a close last month, several state lawmakers filed comments urging the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to...

/ November 20, 2019
DTE Energy set a net-zero carbon goal but continues to invest in gas

DTE Energy sets net-zero emissions goal by 2050 for electric subsidiary, but gas investments raise doubts about seriousness

“If you don’t have a good pathway to get there you either fail at the goal or do stupid things along the way,” a DTE executive said about utilities' net-zero...

/ September 26, 2019

DTE executive tells lawmakers battery storage is not suitable for Michigan as advocates slam its resource plan

Updated on September 10 with a response from DTE Energy DTE Energy has been sharply criticized in recent weeks over its integrated resource plan filing, in which the company proposed...

/ September 3, 2019
Utility Corruption

Wisconsin utility We Energies looks to recover $2 million in annual membership dues from its customers

Customers of We Energies are currently on the hook to pay nearly $2 million a year for the monopoly utility’s corporate membership in various trade associations and organizations that practice...

/ August 29, 2019