All posts by Joe Smyth

Joe Smyth is a Research and Communications Manager for the Energy and Policy Institute.

Colorado Senators Fenberg and Cutter pass the Utility Regulation Act

Colorado law prohibits utilities from spending ratepayer money on politics

A new law in Colorado prohibits investor-owned utility companies from using ratepayer money to fund trade associations, promotional advertising, certain kinds of lobbying, and other political influence activities. The Colorado...

/ May 8, 2023
American Gas Association presentation

New bill aims to stop Colorado utilities from spending ratepayer money on politics

A new bill in Colorado would stop investor-owned utility companies from using ratepayer money to fund lobbying, trade associations, promotional advertising, and other political influence efforts.  Colorado Senate President Steve...

/ April 20, 2023

America’s Power loses more member companies, deletes member list

Coal group deletes its members list after losing all investor-owned utilities and railroad members

/ February 9, 2023

North Dakota has spent millions on a coal industry campaign targeting 100% clean energy legislation in Minnesota

A North Dakota coal industry front group, the Lignite Energy Council, has jumped state lines to wage a campaign to weaken a bill in Minnesota that would require the state’s...

/ January 18, 2023

Utility CEOs received $2.7 billion in executive compensation from 2017 – 2021

Investor-owned electric and gas utilities paid their CEOs $2.7 billion between 2017 and 2021, according to corporate data reviewed by the Energy and Policy Institute. CEOs for the 58 companies...

/ January 8, 2023

Carbon Capture Coalition lobbied to weaken guardrails for expanded carbon capture subsidy

The Inflation Reduction Act includes a major increase of the tax credits that subsidize carbon capture projects, as well as changes that weakened a key guardrail that was included in...

/ September 26, 2022

Livermore Lab carbon capture campaign funded by utility company front group

Emails show CARB staffer advising Livermore Lab carbon capture campaign, before becoming lobbyist for oil, gas, and power companies

/ July 28, 2022

Arizona regulator investigation unveils Arizona Public Service Company’s political spending

An inquiry by Arizona Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy has revealed new details about the political spending of the state’s largest electric utility, Arizona Public Service Company.  Kennedy’s inquiry provides an...

/ June 14, 2022

Xcel Energy supports gas industry group pushing false claims in Colorado

Xcel Energy is supporting a new gas industry effort in Colorado that has published false claims about the costs of electrification. The new gas industry group launched the same week...

/ February 3, 2022

Utility trade associations say utilities are disclosing climate risks to investors. Major investors disagree

The trade associations for investor-owned electric and gas utilities claim that their member companies already provide investors with sufficient information about how utilities are navigating climate risks, such as reducing...

/ January 11, 2022