Energy and Policy Institute

grist.orgHigh power bills, blackouts land Michigan utilities on the ballotA ballot measure could test the limits of how states can curb corporate influence in politics.

Michigan utilities will be on the ballot next week as voters consider a ballot measure that would ban utility money from elections in the state. grist.org/elections/hi...

energyandpolicy.orgMichigan utility interests spend $215K to fight political spending banNew disclosure shows more contributions from entities tied to Consumers Energy and DTE Energy in the lead-up to Election Day.

Utility interest in the state are not happy about it. They've spent $215,000 fighting the measure. energyandpolicy.org/dte-consumer...

lailluminator.comPSC candidate accepts more than $100K from state-regulated utilities • Louisiana IlluminatorThe contributions come as the Public Service Commission has been at the center of high-stakes decisions over the buildout of power-hungry AI data centers around the state.

“It’s wild that utilities can just give money directly to their regulators, and they do so by the thousands in Louisiana,” he added. “That is at least explicitly illegal in most states.” lailluminator.com/2026/10/21/h... @lailluminator.com

NEW: Utility political action committees (PACs) have poured $11.5 million into congressional races this cycle, a drop from the $13.6 million they had contributed by the same point in 2024.

youtube.comHusted Hike (30s)YouTube video by League of Conservation Voters

Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), has highlighted Husted’s role in the House Bill 6 scandal.

energyandpolicy.orgUtility money to political groups hits a record, led by NextEra’s $2.5 million checkUtilities have given a record $12.7 million to partisan groups backing governors, AGs, and legislators in 2026.

Tomorrow we’ll dive into utility contributions to 527 organizations. If you want a sneak peak, you can check out our findings here:

NEW: Utility political action committees (PACs) have poured $11.5 million into congressional races this cycle, a drop from the $13.6 million they had contributed by the same point in 2024.

Some Democratic candidates may, however, be hesitant to fundraise directly from utilities this cycle, given how salient high utility bills have become.

planetdetroit.org148 Michigan politicians sign ‘no utility money’ pledge148 Michigan politicians pledge to refuse utility campaign donations as frustration grows over DTE and Consumers Energy's political influence.

In states like Michigan, elected officials, including those vying for reelection, have signed the “No Utility Money Challenge.” planetdetroit.org/2026/06/lawm...

NEW: Utility political action committees (PACs) have poured $11.5 million into congressional races this cycle, a drop from the $13.6 million they had contributed by the same point in 2024.

In closely contested races, utility PAC contributions overwhelmingly favored Republicans who received the lion’s share of total contributions this cycle.

Utility PACs were also biased toward incumbents, particularly Republicans.

NEW: Utility political action committees (PACs) have poured $11.5 million into congressional races this cycle, a drop from the $13.6 million they had contributed by the same point in 2024.

The GOP is looking to maintain control of both chambers of Congress amid a period of growing public frustration with the high cost of living, especially utility bills. Recent polling by @pewresearch.org found that many Americans blame utilities for soaring home energy bills.

A closer look at utility contributions to each party reveals a few other notable trends: Utility PACs favored Republican committees early in the year, but as political headwinds shifted more favorably towards Democrats, so did contributions.

NEW: Utility political action committees (PACs) have poured $11.5 million into congressional races this cycle, a drop from the $13.6 million they had contributed by the same point in 2024.

energyandpolicy.orgUtility PACs favor Republicans in congressional races as anger over bills growsUtility PACs gave nearly $11.5 million to congressional campaigns in 2026, mostly to Republicans, as voters blame utilities for rising bills.

NextEra Energy, Southern Company, Entergy, and Duke Energy are the most prolific spenders among investor-owned utilities this cycle, according to our analysis.

The industry’s PAC money has tilted toward Republican candidates and committees this cycle, by roughly 62% to 38%, as it has in previous cycles. Here are the top recipients of utility PAC contributions in 2026:

utilitywatch.substack.comMonopoly utilities are likely to try to kill transmission reformHere’s how, and why, they’ve done it in the past

Last week we warned that, if history is any guide, monopoly utilities would try to gut the transmission reforms in BAAJA.

Today we published some of the first concrete evidence of those attempts, as detailed in an Oklahoma Gas & Electric memo obtained by EPI.

thecooldown.comArizona gas customers could face another 10.5% hike, just a year after regulators approved 7.5%Arizona Southwest Gas customers could face another increase as the utility has asked state regulators to approve a $101 million hike that would raise residential bills.

Arizona gas customers could face another 10.5% hike, just a year after regulators approved a 7.5% increase

The timing of NextEra's $4 million contribution to support President Trump's White House ballroom renovation looks "very problematic" and "convenient," watchdog groups say.

esgdive.comesgdive.com

cnbc.comGoogle says it can build data centers the right way. Some experts and residents are skepticalGoogle says its Minnesota AI data center will add clean energy to the grid and protect ratepayers. Experts question whether grid upgrades are needed.

EPI's @davidpomerantz.bsky.social spoke with @cnbc.com about the skyrocketing demand brought on by data centers and why it's critical to keep data centers on grid. www.cnbc.com/2026/10/19/h...

The Regulators Roundtable covered the travel costs for two of Florida’s public utility commissioners to attend an event the industry-backed group hosted in West Palm Beach. Here’s what the Senate ethics chair had to say about it:

tampabay.comFlorida utility regulators attended retreat where industry paid their lodging, travelDid the trip violate state ethics laws? One Republican lawmaker thinks so.

.@tampabaytimes.bsky.social's Emily Mahoney has more here:

energyandpolicy.orgRegulators Roundtable: Documents reveal GOPAC’s secretive influence network for utility commissionersGOPAC's Regulators Roundtable connects state utility regulators to industry donors, funding travel, shaping policy, and financing campaigns.

You can also learn more about the Regulators Roundtable here:

whyy.orgPGW CEO took free Phillies trips, but provided scarce detailsPGW spends millions in ads with the MLB team. The utility’s CEO is in apparent violation of state ethics law for not disclosing the value of the accepted gifts.

PGW's CEO accepted free Phillies spring training trips to Florida from 2022 to 2025, but failed to disclose their value as required by law, @susanphill.bsky.social reports for @whyy.org Over a similar stretch, PGW spent $1M+ on Phillies ads.

bit.lyXcel's faulty billing has residents, businesses and cities fired up • Minnesota ReformerXcel Energy’s billing practices are causing financial and logistical headaches for Minnesota residents, businesses and even municipalities, according to complaints filed with the state utility regulat...

Xcel Energy's faulty billing practices continue to cause headaches for Minnesota businesses and residents. https://bit.ly/4hC0evp @minnesotareformer.com

youtube.comWho Broke Your Power Bill?YouTube video by Climate Town

The always funny, always informative @climatetown.bsky.social breaks down who's driving skyrocketing utility bills. The answer will shock you... (Hint: They send you your bill every month).

bit.lyAnalysis: APS customers paid $587 million for data center sector growth. APS denies claim.Arizona's largest utility APS says "growth pays for growth." Its own filings suggest homeowners and businesses are paying a price through a power surcharge on bills.

12 News asked @aripeskoe.bsky.social to review a consumer advocate's analysis of APS financial records amid a data center boom in AZ. His review confirmed the advocate's findings that APS customers paid $587 million for data center sector growth between 2023-2025.

arkansasonline.comSome state lawmakers voice concerns about utility rates under Generating Arkansas Jobs Act | Arkansas Democrat GazetteSome state legislators were concerned in spring 2025 that the new Generating Arkansas Jobs Act would shift costs from utilities to ratepayers. A year and a half later, those concerns remain.

Last year, Gov. Sarah Huckabee signed the "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act" into law, despite concerns it would shift costs from utilities to ratepayers. Now lawmakers are airing those concerns publicly.

Caldwell also told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette the bill had another effect: weakening the utility commission.

EPI’s @taitdl.bsky.social concurred, “I don’t think there’s probably any regulators in America, Arkansas included, that would like legislation like this passed.”

“If you can pass the burden or cost onto ratepayers, what is your incentive to quickly finalize the project?” asked Republican State Senator Jeremy Woolridge who also voted against the bill.

Republican State Senator Ron Caldwell added, “We’re out here now and in the aftermath of it, you’re seeing the increase in electric bills of the consumer.” He too voted against the bill.

Entergy Arkansas customers saw about $5.77 added to their bills in June to pay for three new power projects. The charge could reach about more than $20 within the next 5 years, according to filings with the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

“I believe we made a mistake in passing that bill, I really do,” said Republican State Senator Mark Johnson who voted against the legislation.

The law lets utilities charge customers for new power plants while they are still under construction. Before the law, utilities billed customers for construction costs after a project was completed.

Good chat.

energyandpolicy.orgPower Trip: How utilities use customer money to fund lobbying, corporate branding, and luxury lifestyle expensesUtilities seek to charge customers for lobbying, corporate advertising, and unnecessary expenses that do not benefit customers.

You can find our Power Trip report here: energyandpolicy.org/report-utili...

energyandpolicy.orgUtility trade association trackerSee which investor-owned utilities fund and help lead the trade associations and think tanks influencing Congress and federal agencies.

We built a new tracker that maps the documented ties between monopoly investor-utility companies and the groups that advocate on their behalf in Washington, D.C.

The industry also lobbies on climate policy, taxes, cybersecurity, appropriations, federal appointments, and environmental regulation, and other important issues that can impact customers' lives in ways large and small.

We hope this tool will bring a little more light to a system that’s designed to be intentionally opaque. Enjoy!

energyandpolicy.orgUtility trade association trackerSee which investor-owned utilities fund and help lead the trade associations and think tanks influencing Congress and federal agencies.

We built a new tracker that maps the documented ties between monopoly investor-utility companies and the groups that advocate on their behalf in Washington, D.C.

Why should customers care about trade associations or other groups? Because they often pay for their political activities in more ways than one.

Trade groups and think tanks frequently push policies that raise customers’ bills, and utilities often seek to charge those same customers for their membership dues.

energyandpolicy.orgUtility trade association trackerSee which investor-owned utilities fund and help lead the trade associations and think tanks influencing Congress and federal agencies.

We built a new tracker that maps the documented ties between monopoly investor-utility companies and the groups that advocate on their behalf in Washington, D.C.

Monopoly investor-owned utilities spend millions of dollars each year to influence elections, back candidates, and lobby every level of government. But no single utility works alone.

Much of the industry's agenda runs through trade groups and think tanks that amplify it, and shield utilities from the controversy. Law firms and other ad hoc coalitions also play an integral role.

yhoo.itHouston customers break down electric bills, find CenterPoint eating up to 41% of bills"Day-to-day operating and maintenance costs are passed through to customers without a profit."

Houston customers break down electric bills, find CenterPoint eating up to 41% of bills