Month: April 2020

Southern Company’s Lobbying Disclosures Obscure State-Level Information from Investors, Public

CEO Fanning gets credit toward bonus for coal closures after opposing federal regulations.

/ April 30, 2020

Two Controversial Virginia Gas Plants Face Increasing Uncertainty, Documents Show

Two planned gas-fired power plants in Virginia are facing growing difficulties caused in part by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, according to recent documents filed by the plants’...

/ April 29, 2020

After its $2.65 billion gas asset acquisition, DTE Energy tells Wall Street there is nothing to worry about as Fitch downgrades the company

With an already troubled gas sector roiled by fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, DTE Energy is facing concerns from shareholders over the company’s growing exposure to natural gas.  DTE Midstream,...

/ April 28, 2020
Utility Corruption

Utility CEOs received over $1 billion in executive compensation from 2017 – 2019

Investor-owned utilities' CEO compensation was up 26% in 2019 over 2018.

/ April 27, 2020

American Electric Power’s goal: 100% renewable energy?

Executives at American Electric Power say the major electric utility has “aspirational” goals of achieving 100% renewable energy and zero carbon emissions, but its current plans for the future include...

/ April 17, 2020
Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning on CNBC

Tom Fanning Floats Misleading Updated Greenhouse Gas Goal

The updated greenhouse gas goal, as described by Fanning, would allow Southern Company to claim “net-zero” emissions by taking credit for transportation electrification, despite the company’s continued use of fossil...

/ April 16, 2020
A PG&E smart meter. Utilities are unevenly applying late fees and reconnecting customers who had been disconnected before pandemic crisis

Caught in patchwork of policies and pledges, some utility customers may still be awaiting electricity restoration or racking up fees

A mosaic of state policies and voluntary pledges has meant that the effects of missing a utility payment are playing out unevenly across the country.

/ April 14, 2020