Mario Alejandro Ariza/Floodlight

Inflation Reduction Act

Farmers in Trump country were counting on clean energy grants. Then the government moved the goalposts.

Thousands of farmers and small rural businesses remain in limbo as USDA demands grant rewrites favoring fossil fuels over renewables.

Solar

EPA says it has unfrozen billions in funds for climate-related projects

The statement by an agency spokesperson comes after two judges ordered the environmental agency to pay contracts signed under Biden

Inflation Reduction Act

‘Chaotic’ USDA funding freeze stalls rural renewable projects

Thousands of farmers and a dozen rural electric cooperatives wait for news about billions in funds under Trump administration ‘review’

Utilities

Massages and country clubs: Your electric bill may be funding lavish perks

Utility customers sometimes foot the bill for lobbying, advertising and luxurious living, new report shows

Utilities

North Carolina town sues Duke Energy for climate ‘deception’

Carrboro, N.C., accuses Duke of knowingly fueling the climate crisis for decades with harmful emissions, deception, delay and ‘greenwashing’

Insurance

Climate change drives up insurance costs — and missed mortgage payments

New study finds a $500 insurance hike boosts mortgage delinquencies by 20%, stressing housing impact of changing climate.

Power Play

Ex-Florida senator guilty in election case sentenced to 60 days in jail

Frank Artiles was found guilty on three election-related counts after running a no-party spoiler candidate in a 2020 Florida Senate race.

Utilities

Big utility PACs favor GOP in high-stakes 2024 races

While Republicans are the main beneficiaries, in the narrowly divided Senate, power companies hedged their bets with donations to some Dems

Polluting Democracy

Private calls and campaign cash: Louisiana regulators’ ties to the utilities they oversee

The state is tied for dead last in renewable energy adoption. Little surprise, with so much fossil fuel money flowing to its commissioners.

Polluting Democracy

Utility regulators take millions from industries they oversee. What could go wrong?

The clean energy transition, for one, a Floodlight analysis of campaign finance data reveals.

Power Play

‘They stole an election’; Former Florida senator convicted in ‘ghost candidates’ scandal

Frank Artiles was found guilty on three election-related counts after running a no-party spoiler candidate in a 2020 Florida Senate race.

Polluting Democracy

This Florida ‘ghost candidates’ scandal puts the entire utility sector on trial

As former Sen. Frank Artiles's case unspools in Miami, will the power company linked to the political scandal ever be held responsible?

Polluting Democracy

Dark money group aiding Cornel West has ties to utility operative

A lawyer tied to secret funding of spoiler candidates in Florida is more evidence West’s biggest backers are people who want Trump to win

Gulf Coast

Louisiana utility commission OKs major donor’s plan to buy Entergy gas system

A Bernhard Capital Partners subsidiary — new to the natural gas business — is buying gas systems in Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico

Power Play

Florida investor uses internal records to sue power company for alleged fraud

The lawsuit alleging mismanagement and lies is the latest legal action by shareholders against Florida Power & Light’s parent company

Rising Tide

Miami entering a state of unreality: Adaptation to climate change can’t fix the city’s water problems

As record rainfalls pound south Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis decries ‘radical green zealots’ who want him to do more.