Utilities
Fraud and corruption on rise at US utilities, threatening energy transition
A Floodlight analysis finds a historic surge in power company fraud and corruption. The lies and bribes cost consumers — and threaten the planet.
Mario Alejandro Ariza/Floodlight
Mario is an investigative reporter and a Dominican immigrant. His byline has appeared in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The New Republic and NPR. mario@floodlightnews.org
Polluting Democracy
‘What corruption gets you’: How utility companies bought support in the Black south
A joint investigation by Floodlight and Capital B shows millions of dollars flowed from utilities to Black leaders and their groups since at least 2009.
Polluting Democracy
How a utility’s silent spending to control energy policy might determine abortion rights in Florida
Over the past five years, the largest power company in the U.S. quietly financed groups working to restrict Floridians’ ability to change laws independent of the legislature.
Polluting Democracy
Maine power companies are spending millions to defeat a vote to dethrone them
This fall, Mainers could cut ties with their utilities. The companies are buying influence to try to stay in power.
Polluting Democracy
Power companies quietly pushed $215m into US politics via dark money groups
Donations have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators.
Power Play
Florida Power CEO implicated in scandals abruptly steps down
Florida Power & Light CEO Eric Silagy announced his retirement on Wednesday. The company says the move was not prompted by recent scandals.
Polluting Democracy
Ohio Republicans accused of taking $60 million in bribes as corruption trial opens
Prosecutors built their racketeering case with wiretaps, undercover agents and confidential sources.
Power Play
She was an ABC News producer. She also was a corporate operative.
ABC News producer in Florida becomes a corporate operative.
Power Play
In the Southeast, power company money flows to news sites that attack their critics
Power company money flows to media attacking critics in Florida, Alabama.
Power Play
Leaked: US power companies secretly spending millions to protect profits and fight clean energy
Leaked: U.S. power companies secretly spending millions to protect profits and fight clean energy One industry consulting firm has influenced politics across Florida, Alabama and at least six other states.
Power Play
Firm working for FPL took control of news site, let execs influence coverage, records show
Political consulting firm Matrix also considered purchasing or creating other news sites, records show.
Power Play
A Florida power company didn’t like a journalist’s commentary. Its consultants had him followed
Consultants for Florida Power & Light, the largest electric utility in the US, conducted surveillance on a Jacksonville journalist
Gulf Coast
Texas stumbles in its effort to punish green financial firms
Fossil fuels power the Texas economy, accounting for some 14% of gross state product between 2019 and 2020. Now, Texas is the first state in the nation to pass anti-divestment laws for fossil fuels.
Utilities
The $287 million pipeline no one needed? How Spire's ambitions almost left St. Louis without heat
The gas company sowed panic in a bare-knuckle marketing campaign after a court ordered the shutdown of its STL pipeline.
Power Play
Revealed: the Florida power company pushing legislation to slow rooftop solar
Florida Power & Light delivered bill text to a state lawmaker. Its parent company sent $10,000 to her campaign coffers.