Karlee Weinmann
@karleeweinmann.bsky.social
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Researching utilities and fossil fuel interests with
@energyandpolicy.org
. Midwest exceptionalist.
CenterPoint Energy customers in Minnesota can order free and reduced-cost supplies like weatherstripping, window insulation kits, and more to save energy and reduce utility bills. Available to both renters and homeowners. Here's where to get them:
centerpointenergymnshop.com/shop-all/
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Shop All - Page 1 - CenterPoint MN - Energy Efficiency Store
https://centerpointenergymnshop.com/shop-all/
3 minutes ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Planet Detroit
about 19 hours ago
Blue Cross Blue Shield and Consumers Energy are funding opposition to a Michigan ballot drive aimed at curbing corporate political spending, Bridge Michigan reports:
planetdetroit.org/2025/11/blue...
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Big Michigan players fight back: Blue Cross, Consumers Energy oppose campaign finance proposal
Blue Cross and Consumers Energy contribute to a group opposing a Michigan campaign finance reform proposal.
https://planetdetroit.org/2025/11/blue-cross-consumers-energy-funding/
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Karlee Weinmann
More Perfect Union
1 day ago
Nearly 6 million US households have utility debt “so severe” that it will soon be reported to collection agencies.
apnews.com/article/trum...
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New analysis shows more US consumers are falling behind on their utility bills
A new analysis of consumer data shows that more people in the United States are falling behind on their utility bills.
https://apnews.com/article/trump-inflation-utility-bills-16cf846b44369b5b9660238be7112a4d#
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Karlee Weinmann
Aaron J. Brown
1 day ago
The federal government might be open, but it's not necessarily in business yet. Delays and uncertainty for those most in need, including those whose homes have no heat, highlight our mixed-up priorities.
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https://www.startribune.com/rural-minnesota-low-income-energy-aid-heating/601524408?utm_source=gift
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A New Mexico gas utility is the latest to face a private equity takeover bid, this time by a firm whose failure to properly maintain an earlier water utility acquisition led to sludge build-up and bloodworms on the system
energyandpolicy.org/new-mexico-g...
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New Mexico Gas Company latest utility facing private equity takeover
A private equity firm checkered with compliance problems and cost overruns is attempting to buy the New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC), raising concerns from regulators, environmental advocates and custome...
https://energyandpolicy.org/new-mexico-gas-company-facing-private-equity-acquisition/
4 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Energy and Policy Institute
6 days ago
A new complaint filed alleges Michigan Energy First, a dark money group tied to DTE Energy (đź‘€), violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act when it funneled $100,000 in an effort to roll back pandemic emergency rules in 2020.
michiganadvance.com/2025/11/11/c...
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Complaint argues DTE-tied group aimed to funnel $100k into Unlock Michigan campaign • Michigan Advance
A Michigan nonprofit with ties to one of the state’s largest energy companies is accused of participating in a dark money scheme to funnel money into an effort to overturn the governor’s COVID-19 emer...
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/11/complaint-argues-dte-tied-group-aimed-to-funnel-100k-into-unlock-michigan-campaign/
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Karlee Weinmann
Derek Seidman
7 days ago
Asset management and private equity giants like BlackRock and Blackstone buying up our utilities to - among other things - cash in on the data center boom. What could go wrong? My latest, for
@truthout.org
.
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Data Centers Devour Electricity. Private Equity Is Buying Utilities to Cash In.
The seizure of public utilities for the sake of profit may lead to a disaster for consumers — and the planet.
https://truthout.org/articles/data-centers-devour-electricity-private-equity-is-buying-utilities-to-cash-in/
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Karlee Weinmann
David Weiskopf believes in you
6 days ago
I wish it were better understood that this is an act of mass murder akin to firing into a large crowd. Impossible to say specifically who will die as a result of this action, but certainty that it will be many.
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“We’ve heard from a number of utilities who are willing to be patient and help support their households getting on those payment plans and avoid disconnecting them for lack of payment right now. But that hasn’t been universal." The cruelty!
kstp.com/money-matter...
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Federal shutdown halts Minnesota energy assistance funds; utility companies offer aid
Around 125,000 households and roughly 300,000 Minnesotans rely on the program annually. 25,000 households depend on propane or other delivered fuels, which are not protected under Minnesota’s Cold Wea...
https://kstp.com/money-matters/federal-shutdown-halts-minnesota-energy-assistance-funds-utility-companies-offer-aid/
6 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Michigan Advance
7 days ago
A Michigan nonprofit with ties to one of the state’s largest energy companies is accused of participating in a dark money scheme to funnel money into an effort to overturn the governor’s COVID-19 emergency powers. Story from
@kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social
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Complaint argues DTE-tied group aimed to funnel $100k into Unlock Michigan campaign • Michigan Advance
A Michigan nonprofit with ties to one of the state’s largest energy companies is accused of participating in a dark money scheme to funnel money into an effort to overturn the governor’s COVID-19 emer...
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/11/11/complaint-argues-dte-tied-group-aimed-to-funnel-100k-into-unlock-michigan-campaign/
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Karlee Weinmann
Marisa Kabas
11 days ago
“The fact that this very basic fundamental human right of being able to feed yourself adequately is being used as a cudgel by this administration in order to play a political game makes me so angry." —
@melbuer.bsky.social
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The voices of SNAP
Recipients have become political pawns. They explained, in their own words, what Trump withholding funds has been like.
https://www.thehandbasket.co/p/snap-recipients-funding-lapse-shutdown
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Karlee Weinmann
Grist
12 days ago
Rising energy bills are rewiring American politics. Tuesday's election results suggest energy costs may be moving the political needle in ways that other issues, like climate change, have not.
grist.org/energy/risin...
#Elections
#Bills
#Energy
#Politics
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Rising energy bills are rewiring American politics
Tuesday's election results suggest energy costs may be moving the political needle in ways that other issues, like climate change, have not.
https://grist.org/energy/rising-energy-bills-are-rewiring-american-politics/
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Karlee Weinmann
There's a campaign underway in Michigan to rein in runaway political spending by monopoly utilities and certain other corporations. Half the funds raised so far to oppose the measure trace back to Consumers Energy.
energyandpolicy.org/consumers-en...
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Consumers Energy bankrolling opposition to Michigan political spending limits
Half of the funds raised so far to combat restrictions on utility political spending trace back to Consumers Energy.
https://energyandpolicy.org/consumers-energy-bankrolling-opposition-to-michigan-political-spending-limits/
14 days ago
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It is once again a great day to send some money to Community Aid Network MN to help them get free groceries and diapers to as many people as possible. The need is huge. Every dollar helps.
www.canmn.org/donate
add a skeleton here at some point
13 days ago
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reposted by
Karlee Weinmann
Energy and Policy Institute
14 days ago
A new Michigan ballot initiative aims to keep monopoly utility money out of politics. You'll be shocked to hear who coughed up half the cash raised so far to fight... Find out here:
energyandpolicy.org/consumers-en...
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Consumers Energy bankrolling opposition to Michigan political spending limits
Half of the funds raised so far to combat restrictions on utility political spending trace back to Consumers Energy.
https://energyandpolicy.org/consumers-energy-bankrolling-opposition-to-michigan-political-spending-limits/
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There's a campaign underway in Michigan to rein in runaway political spending by monopoly utilities and certain other corporations. Half the funds raised so far to oppose the measure trace back to Consumers Energy.
energyandpolicy.org/consumers-en...
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Consumers Energy bankrolling opposition to Michigan political spending limits
Half of the funds raised so far to combat restrictions on utility political spending trace back to Consumers Energy.
https://energyandpolicy.org/consumers-energy-bankrolling-opposition-to-michigan-political-spending-limits/
14 days ago
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Ducks fly together!
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14 days ago
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Amid widespread uncertainty over what data centers will mean for regular utility customers and their communities, DTE Energy wants Michigan regulators to bypass public hearings and fast-track approval for one
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
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DTE asks regulators to fast-track data center, skip public hearings
Utility says Saline Township facility will reduce costs despite additional energy use in filing with the Michigan Public Service Commission
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2025/11/03/dte-asks-regulators-to-fast-track-data-center-skip-public-hearings/87070790007/
14 days ago
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I’ve seen enough:
@olsenforparks.bsky.social
gets the biggest possible hell yeah from me
14 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Minnesota Reformer
20 days ago
City councilors, mayors and other elected officials have been aware for months, even years, of various massive AI data center proposals, while sharing little to no information publicly until the projects are set in motion — often bound by secrecy agreements.
minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/29/w...
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Want an AI data center in your city? Sure, but first sign this non-disclosure agreement. • Minnesota Reformer
Some elected officials have had enough and are refusing to go along, while a state lawmaker wants to make these nondisclosure agreements illegal for elected officials.
https://minnesotareformer.com/2025/10/29/want-an-ai-data-center-in-your-city-sure-but-first-sign-this-non-disclosure-agreement/
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Consumers Energy has dumped $15,000 into a campaign opposing a Michigan ballot initiative that would limit utility political giving, much of which has gone toward paying legal fees to the same attorney who helps run Consumers' dark money nonprofit
www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
21 days ago
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DTE Energy and Consumers Energy are big enough donors to a "charity" that funds Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's overseas travel that they both have board seats. Whitmer, meanwhile, appoints the regulators that are supposed to oversee those same utilities.
www.detroitnews.com/story/busine...
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Businesses fund Whitmer's overseas travel while getting billions in taxpayer incentives
A charitable group that helped fund Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's overseas travel provided business executives access to state economic development leaders.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2025/10/26/michigan-economic-development-foundation-medc-gretchen-whitmer-overseas-trade-mission-quentin-messer/86825187007/
22 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Community Aid Network MN provides free groceries and diapers to hundreds of families in Minneapolis each week and is a great place to donate:
www.canmn.org/donate
If you'd rather give your time, you can volunteer to help with distribution:
calendly.com/communityaid...
add a skeleton here at some point
27 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Mara
30 days ago
Hey twin cities friends! There’s a new website for the Mn Rapid Response network, now called Monarca. It has the hotline to call if you see 🧊 activity as well as Know Your Rights information and lists upcoming community trainings. A great resource. Please share widely!
monarcamn.org
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Monarca
https://monarcamn.org/
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Love to see this from Mpls City Council Member
@katiecashman.bsky.social
: "Xcel and CenterPoint must step up and offer inclusive energy upgrades to all residents, and we at the city need to ... use our newly negotiated leverage to hold them to their commitments."
www.startribune.com/ward-7-city-...
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Katie Cashman: A resilient City of Lakes requires bold climate leadership
Federal leadership has abdicated on this issue. Cities like Minneapolis must lead. We already have progress to build on, Ward 7 City Council candidate Katie Cashman writes.
https://www.startribune.com/ward-7-city-council-race-2025-elections/601499547
26 days ago
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Community Aid Network MN provides free groceries and diapers to hundreds of families in Minneapolis each week and is a great place to donate:
www.canmn.org/donate
If you'd rather give your time, you can volunteer to help with distribution:
calendly.com/communityaid...
add a skeleton here at some point
27 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Walker Orenstein
27 days ago
North Dakota, Montana and three southern states are trying to block a $22b plan for power lines across the Midwest that will reshape the grid as coal plants retire and demand surges. Our regulators call it an 'economic attack.'
www.startribune.com/attempt-by-n...
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Minnesota clashes with North Dakota over power lines
The fight is the latest example of how the switch to clean energy has made basic grid infrastructure a partisan battleground.
https://www.startribune.com/attempt-by-north-dakota-other-states-to-block-power-line-plan-called-economic-attack-on-minnesota/601477279
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DTE Energy, a monopoly utility, appears to habitually deny property damage claims and requires customers to sign non-disclosure agreements in cases where it does offer modest payouts
www.mlive.com/news/2025/10...
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Power surges damaged their property. DTE offered payouts if they kept quiet
“It does seem intended to silence people’s ability to talk about what they’re experiencing," said one lawyer who has represented clients in utility damage and billing disputes with DTE.
https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/10/power-surges-damaged-their-property-dte-offered-payouts-if-they-kept-quiet.html
27 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
isaac
28 days ago
FINALLY. One of the most trusted energy assistance organizations in the country issued a call for a total ban on utility shutoffs TODAY. It's about time.
neada.org/wp-content/u...
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Data centers beget bad government, over and over again
www.startribune.com/hermantown-d...
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Northeast Minnesota data center wins key approval as hundreds protest
More than 300 people filled Hermantown’s council chambers and an overflow room before spilling into hallways, as others waited outside during a 5-hour rezoning hearing.
https://www.startribune.com/hermantown-data-center-duluth/601491280
28 days ago
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Karlee Weinmann
taylr
about 1 month ago
frog and chewbacca dance to brass solidarity band, the band formed by community members around george floyd square, at no kings minneapolis
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Karlee Weinmann
Barred and Boujee aka Madiba Dennie
about 1 month ago
That's right
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Heating season is coming! If you're in the Twin Cities I super recommend getting a Home Energy Squad visit to learn what energy efficiency improvements you can make to keep your utility costs down and access free support to get them done
www.mncee.org/home-energy-...
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Home Energy Squad
Home Energy Squad helps you solve energy problems at home so you can stay comfortable and save money year-round. Schedule your Home Energy Squad visit today.
https://www.mncee.org/home-energy-squad
about 1 month ago
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Local officials across the country are signing NDAs that shield tech companies from scrutiny over proposed data centers, preventing the public from getting information and kneecapping opposition
www.startribune.com/st-louis-cou...
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St. Louis County leaders blasted for signing data center-related NDAs
Three commissioners signed nondisclosure agreements related to the proposed Hermantown data center.
https://www.startribune.com/st-louis-county-leaders-blasted-for-signing-data-center-related-ndas/601492810
about 1 month ago
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“That’s what it takes, citizen action … for a larger public good,” Kari said, adding that she believes local action is especially important “in the absence of federal leadership — or corporate leadership, for that matter.”
www.startribune.com/how-one-minn...
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How one Minneapolis neighborhood reduced its carbon emissions by 1,600 metric tons
Prospect Park residents burned 29% less natural gas from 2019 to 2024, in part thanks to a campaign to improve home energy efficiency.
https://www.startribune.com/how-one-minneapolis-neighborhood-reduced-its-carbon-emissions-by-1600-metric-tons/601484780
about 1 month ago
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On one hand, nationally renowned media law expert Jane Kirtley says the Frey administration's apparent efforts to circumvent open records law are astounding. On the other hand, the city attorney appointed by Frey says it's all fine.
www.startribune.com/mayor-jacob-...
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Political group accuses Frey of improperly deleting texts. Some advocates and media lawyers agree.
The Minneapolis city attorney’s office says Mayor Jacob Frey is in compliance with the state transparency laws.
https://www.startribune.com/mayor-jacob-frey-deletes-text-phone-records/601493229
about 1 month ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️
about 1 month ago
Western Alaska was hit hard by the recent storms. Houses floated away in Kipnuk, houses flipped over, people lost everything from the flooding that came with the storms. Please donate if you can. This group has a long history of supporting AK communities.
alaskacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/c...
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Karlee Weinmann
NPR
about 1 month ago
Gas utility bills are rising even though natural gas prices are down. That's because a much larger share of your gas bill now goes to infrastructure instead of fuel.
n.pr/4nOJoKs
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Natural gas prices are low, but your monthly gas bill is up. Here's why
Gas utility bills are rising even though natural gas prices are down. That's because a much larger share of your gas bill now goes to infrastructure instead of fuel.
https://n.pr/4nOJoKs
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Karlee Weinmann
David Dayen
about 1 month ago
Minnesota allowed the sale of one of its electric utilities to a consortium led by BlackRock. Our James Baratta was there to witness the proceeding, and he explains how it's the beginning of a private equity roll-up to cash in on the AI data center boom.
prospect.org/environment/...
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BlackRock Just Bought a Minnesota Utility
On Friday, state regulators voted unanimously in favor of allowing private equity to take a Duluth-based utility holding company private. The Prospect takes you inside the room where it all went down.
https://prospect.org/environment/blackrock-minnesota-utility-private-equity/
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Huge endorsement by my garden for
@ehbforbet.bsky.social
about 1 month ago
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Opponents of this private equity takeover include consumer advocates like the Attorney General, state lawmakers, utility customers, environmental groups, large power users, and a judge who reviewed the terms of the transaction. And yet!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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Karlee Weinmann
Lenore Palladino
about 2 months ago
so BlackRock is buying Minnesota Power (utility) & likely AES (utility) AND Aligned Data Centers & that's just this week cool cool
add a skeleton here at some point
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In approving this deal, Minnesota regulators made a very big bet that private equity ownership of a monopoly electric utility will yield vastly different results from private equity ownership in basically every other sector
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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The utility serving Indianapolis could be next to be swept up in BlackRock's spending spree on utilities, a prospect that has local ratepayer advocates "extremely concerned"
www.ibj.com/articles/as-...
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As private equity pursues public utilities, reports say BlackRock subsidiary wants to buy AES - Indianapolis Business Journal
BlackRock’s interest in AES represents a growing trend of private equity firms investing in, or buying outright, public utility companies as artificial intelligence fuels increasing electricity demand...
https://www.ibj.com/articles/as-private-equity-pursues-public-utilities-reports-say-blackrock-subsidiary-wants-to-buy-aes
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Karlee Weinmann
David Dayen
about 2 months ago
BlackRock is leading a consortium buying Minnesota Power in a private equity foray into utilities. The decision will be made tomorrow. Meanwhile, Gov. Walz's Department of Commerce flipped to supporting the deal, & emails show numerous contacts with the acquisition’s supporters. From James Baratta:
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Private Equity Power Play in Minnesota
BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners and a Canadian pension giant want to buy a Minnesota-based utility. Gov. Tim Walz’s agencies have been in on pushing the deal.
https://prospect.org/environment/2025-10-02-private-equity-power-play-minnesota/
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A group of state lawmakers is urging the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to deny BlackRock's controversial bid to take over Minnesota Power, saying among other things that "the risks and harms would outweigh the minimal, short-term benefits"
efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...
about 2 months ago
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The same BlackRock subsidiary that’s trying to buy Minnesota Power over the objections of consumer advocates is also trying to buy AES, which has electric utilities in Indiana and Ohio
www.reuters.com/markets/deal...
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BlackRock's GIP nears $38 billion takeover of utility group AES, FT reports
BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is nearing a $38 billion deal, inclusive of debt, to acquire utility group AES , the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing people briefed on the matter.
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/blackrocks-gip-nears-38-billion-takeover-utility-group-aes-ft-reports-2025-10-01/
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Karlee Weinmann
Energy and Policy Institute
about 2 months ago
New from
@apnews.com
: A fight has erupted in northern MN over the proposed private equity buyout of Duluth-based utility Minnesota Power. If approved, the sale could determine how private equity firms expand their utility holdings amid a rush to cash in on data centers.
apnews.com/article/big-...
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Private equity sees profits in power utilities as electric bills rise and Big Tech seeks more energy
Private investment firms that are helping finance America’s artificial intelligence race and the huge buildout of energy-hungry data centers are getting interested in the local utilities that deliver ...
https://apnews.com/article/big-tech-private-equity-electricity-utilities-power-energy-7c5d119142380bb7a83bbe722f69f2a5
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reposted by
Karlee Weinmann
Private equity firms are looking to buy electric utilities for a simple reason: there’s money to be made, and potentially quite a lot of it, on the backs of captive utility customers
apnews.com/article/big-...
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Private equity sees profits in power utilities as electric bills rise and Big Tech seeks more energy
Private investment firms that are helping finance America’s artificial intelligence race and the huge buildout of energy-hungry data centers are getting interested in the local utilities that deliver ...
https://apnews.com/article/big-tech-private-equity-electricity-utilities-power-energy-7c5d119142380bb7a83bbe722f69f2a5
about 2 months ago
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Private equity firms are looking to buy electric utilities for a simple reason: there’s money to be made, and potentially quite a lot of it, on the backs of captive utility customers
apnews.com/article/big-...
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Private equity sees profits in power utilities as electric bills rise and Big Tech seeks more energy
Private investment firms that are helping finance America’s artificial intelligence race and the huge buildout of energy-hungry data centers are getting interested in the local utilities that deliver ...
https://apnews.com/article/big-tech-private-equity-electricity-utilities-power-energy-7c5d119142380bb7a83bbe722f69f2a5
about 2 months ago
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