Category: Utilities

Michigan legislators took $176K from DTE since pledging new era of utility accountability after outage backlash

DTE Energy's contributions to campaign and party funds come as Democrats attempt to pass climate and consumer protection bills.

/ October 18, 2023

Maryland utilities lobbying against adoption of local electrification policies

Maryland utilities Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and Washington Gas wielded their influence over county officials in recent months in an attempt to halt the implementation of  local electrification policies,...

/ September 18, 2023
Utility Corruption

Avangrid Behind Political Campaign Against CT Utility Regulator

Connecticut utility United Illuminating, a subsidiary of Avangrid, is behind a political campaign targeting a draft decision by state regulators rejecting its requested rate hike. UI has mobilized its own...

/ August 23, 2023

Xcel-funded group urges Minnesota regulators to increase profits for Xcel

Minnesota Utility Investors, a shareholder advocacy group, joins Xcel in pushing for PUC to reconsider rate case decision

/ July 9, 2023

Gas industry dark money group’s influence seen in Ohio budget bill 

Updated on July 4, 2023 after Governor Mike DeWine signed the budget and issued a partial veto of the All Ohio Future Fund that included funding for gas infrastructure. Parts...

/ July 3, 2023

FirstEnergy front group paid convicted lobbyist Matthew Borges’ firm to attack Cleveland Public Power 

This post is part two of a two-part blog series. Part one reveals FirstEnergy’s secret role in funding Consumers Against Deceptive Fees, based on subpoenaed bank records. Part two looks...

/ June 29, 2023

FirstEnergy dark money payments included over $550,000 for ‘consumers’ group’s campaign against Cleveland Public Power

This post is part one of a two-part blog series. Part one reveals FirstEnergy’s secret role in funding Consumers Against Deceptive Fees, based on subpoenaed bank records. Part two looks...

/ June 29, 2023

DTE Energy shareholders reject transparency proposal

Efforts to force utilities to disclose political spending information continue at the Michigan Legislature and PSC

/ May 15, 2023

Xcel pushing measure that has raised gas bills in Minnesota, scrapped in other states

Xcel Energy is fighting the scheduled sunset of a Minnesota law that enables utilities to charge customers hundreds of millions of dollars for fossil gas infrastructure upgrades without standard regulatory...

/ April 18, 2023

Bank records reveal more secret payments to Larry Householder’s dark money group from the fossil fuel industry, other sectors 

Bank records subpoenaed by the Cleveland City Council have revealed previously secret payments to convicted former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder’s dark money group Generation Now from donors in the...

/ March 29, 2023