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
A Floodlight series spotlighting utility corruption, dark money and political manipulation
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.
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?
Gulf Coast
Mississippi regulators to solar boosters: Sit down and be quiet
State utility regulators have increasingly placed barriers to development of the renewable energy source in one of the sunniest states in the U.S.
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
Polluting Democracy
S.C. utilities push for more gas, ‘blank check,’ amid specter of past scandal
The scramble to increase supply has state lawmakers debating a fast-tracked bill that locks in new gas and undoes hard-won reforms
Polluting Democracy
Ohio Gov. DeWine campaign got secret $2.5 million boost from power company, new records show
A dark money group funded by FirstEnergy spent $2.5 million to support the GOP hopeful as the utility pushed bailout of struggling nuclear plants.
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.
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.