Customers saving millions in states that banned utility political costs
February 5, 2026
Itai Vardi
Research and Communications Manager
Itai Vardi is a Research and Communications Manager at the Energy and Policy Institute. Itai’s research focuses on Northeast and New York utilities, the gas industry, electrification, and affordability issues. Prior to joining the Energy and Policy Institute, he was an investigative journalist focusing on the fossil fuel industry and utilities, climate change denial and industry front groups, money in politics, and regulatory capture. His work appeared in such outlets as The Guardian, Huffington Post, DeSmog, and Mother Jones.
Itai also has a background in academia. He has a PhD in sociology from Boston University.
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Itai Vardi is a Research and Communications Manager at the Energy and Policy Institute. Itai’s research focuses on Northeast and New York utilities, the gas industry, electrification, and affordability issues. Prior to joining the Energy and Policy Institute, he was an investigative journalist focusing on the fossil fuel industry and utilities, climate change denial and industry front groups, money in politics, and regulatory capture. His work appeared in such outlets as The Guardian, Huffington Post, DeSmog, and Mother Jones.
Itai also has a background in academia. He has a PhD in sociology from Boston University.