Mario Alejandro Ariza/Floodlight

Polluting Democracy

Florida GOP operative admits role in ‘ghost’ candidate scheme that defeated utility-targeted Dem

A Republican consultant's deposition reveals he OK’d the plan to run a third-party candidate to defeat Florida Power & Light nemesis.

Polluting Democracy

Revealed: FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt. Gov. campaign before scandal

Records show Jon Husted worked behind the scenes to bail out the company’s nuclear power plants. The million dollar donation was secret — until now.

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.

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.