Aw, man, Walz, what up?

MN Public Utility Commissioner Ham seems to be confused about the structure of GIP and BlackRock. For clarity, please see GIP's own website and logo on the top of every page. GIP is a wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock. Period. www.global-infra.com/news/blackro... www.blackrock.com/corporate/ne...

MN PUC is starting hearing for BlackRock's attempted takeover of MN Power now, livestream here - minnesotapuc.granicus.com/player/event...

When I raise alarms about private equity taking over our electric utilities, it's because of stuff like this. Where PE invests, serious harm tends to follow. Our communities deserve better.

MN families should not have to pay higher electricity bills so Wall Street investors can collect outsized returns. Yet this is the risk in front of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this Thurs, Sept. 25. PUC should reject the BlackRock takeover: www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/colu...

Data center company QTS mentioned in this piece is owned by Blackstone 👀 Private equity firms are invested & fighting at every step of the AI supply chain, folks. Great overview of many current issues facing this new chapter here from @maryellenklas.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

the fact that citizen’s utility board is against this tells me what i need to know. because we don’t just need an energy transition—we need one that is equitable and accessible, that improves the material conditions for folks. everything we cede to private equity is a loss we can’t afford.

Something worth saying is that if you want to claim that the regulatory process at the PUC works and is good governance, then it would be consistent to support the ALJ here given the length and robustness of the proceeding.

BlackRock attempting to take over a local power company in Minnesota is precedent setting, and not in a good way. Following a strong recommendation from MN Administrative Law Judge McKenzie to DENY the acquisition, all eyes now turn to the state's public utility commission.

Even Fox News is skeptical of private equity taking over utilities. Check it out (and send in your thoughts if so moved, per the ask at the end of the article!) www.foxnews.com/tech/wall-st...

The whole "private equity taking over a utility" thing is not only happening in MN. That proceeding is just one example of a troubling trend that is emerging. I spoke with Ivan Penn at the New York Times about the issue. Here's his piece that ran today: www.nytimes.com/2025/07/17/b...

Hot off the docket - Huge win in MN, judge filed opinion JUST NOW recommending BlackRock/GIP acquisition of utility be DENIED. Hell yea. A win for the people. (If you’re a reporter and want to talk, you know how to find me 🤓) Here's the ALJ filing: efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

In case you haven't heard, BlackRock (and its subsidiary Global Infrastructure Partners) are trying to take over an electric utility, MN Power via its parent company ALLETE. I recently spoke with Truthout about this concerning deal. Here is the link a few takeaways: truthout.org/articles/why...

Happy to see FPL's 9 billion money grab covered in Axios this morning. Are y'all ready to make those public comments to the commission in the next couple weeks??? Info here - www.axios.com/local/miami/...

From PESP and yours truly - "The approval should concern investors and energy customers alike, as it paves the way for even deeper control and influence over critical energy infrastructure, potentially threatening fair competition." pestakeholder.org/news/ferc-ch...

In case you missed it, Florida Power & Light is pushing a NINE BILLION DOLLAR rate hike with an 11.9% return on equity for the company. AARP Florida has a hub here with all the info, including upcoming dates for public hearings - states.aarp.org/florida/fpl-...

Research update from me: AI, big tech's data center push and resulting increased emissions, surging (and likely inaccurate) power demand forecasts, impacts on ratepayers, a major supply chain issue for building new gas generation, & private equity's role in it all pestakeholder.org/news/critica...

Demand is demand, and solar + storage remains the lowest cost option in many applications, despite Trump's "pro-fossil fuel" stance. Quick research update from me here on the opportunity that Brookfield is acting on: pestakeholder.org/news/by-inve...

Quick reminder that climate risk = financial risk. Efforts to hide those risks should be viewed with utmost suspicion and questions of which special interest would most benefit from keeping data in the dark. Spoiler alert, it's sure not the general public. www.esgtoday.com/new-acting-s...

Me: Casually reading through Google and Microsoft emissions reports. Google: Yea so our emissions increased by almost 50% since 2019 because of data centers and supply chain, but don't worry, still aiming to achieve net zero. Me: *falls out of chair* Anyway, I'm publishing research on AI soon. 😅

AI/data centers are being used to justify allllll sorts of investments and power demand projections, but "how much of this math will actually math???" is a real question that remains to be adequately answered. The Deepseek drama is an example of exactly that: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Given the private equity playbook of drastic cost cutting, reducing things like maintenance and adequate staffing levels, increasing the risk level of deadly accidents, I would be INCREDIBLY concerned to live anywhere near a gas plant being taken over by PE. www.powermag.com/blackstone-t...

I just had to call a dentist's office to reschedule an apt & was "assisted" by an "AI dental assistant" It got the job done in an okay manner but was also kinda awful, like how a robot would treat you, ya know? If you're gonna use AI for scheduling, then let me send a text msg to do so, I guess??

Just a reminder, if Trump was serious about an "energy emergency" he would not cancel offshore wind, cut renewables in any way, or end energy efficiency measures, all things that quickly and effectively address energy needs. Half of his exec orders contradict themselves on basic logic levels.

Respectfully... WTF?! ROCK MINING project adjacent to the Everglades?! @jasongarcia.bsky.social jasongarcia.substack.com/p/records-sh...

Anti-ESG is bad business for states & could be a dereliction of fiduciary duty: “...legislation would result in decreasing revenues, primarily as a result of a smaller universe of investment managers willing to partner w/Wyoming to provide investment opportunities.” www.pionline.com/esg/wyoming-...

Great reminder that climate change = more extreme weather events. We have to adjust to this reality and keep it from getting worse. Hoping everyone stays safe this week.

“Whether owned by Blackstone or ECP, every day that private equity firms continue to operate the deadly Gavin coal plant is another day that private equity executives are choosing to put communities at greater health risk,” Alissa Jean Schafer, Climate Director ohiocapitaljournal.com/2025/01/03/o...

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game. The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.

If you're an FPL customer you just got an email about your bill going up. If you click the link, FPL explains it's for hurricane recovery (yep) PLUS the rate hike the public service commission (DeSantis appointees) previously approved. FPL has the gall to say it's for new solar. That's pure PR spin.

Listen, if Biden is gonna start exercising the full authority of the presidency in these finals days, I have a few ideas.

Things have changed since I last posted. -Began new role as Climate Director at Private Equity Stakeholder Project -USA elected convicted felon as president -Many of our communities, institutions, & basic health & safety needs are at greater risk ☀️ Still a climate solutionist tho, so there's that.

I have no words, so I’m sharing Shannon’s.

“Someone left a gun in their car.” Things you hear in Florida car rental offices.

Here's your regular reminder that the execs at NextEra (FPL parent company) know that renewable energy is the most affordable form of power generation, ie "least cost" 👍 This is a quote from Q3 earnings call, and you'll find similar quotes from the last few years.

Why are FPL execs funding DeSantis' failed presidential campaign? Two words: Legislative Session. www.sun-sentinel.com/2023/10/28/d...

That part 👏

Just got this alert from my lovely HOA… Who want to tell them how Florida gators really feel about fences 🤗 (see second pic for reference)

Not impossible!

I'll def be talking about parenting on here too, because of course, so for tonight I'll just say that I was not prepared to get emotional over my kiddo mastering new skills on her gymnastics team. Competitions are coming, and I'm going to be a wreck. Working on my supportive composure 😅

Spoiler alert, Florida Power & Light's new "green hydrogen" plant isn't all that great. Canary explains why using the word "green" doesn't automatically = good 🤔 www.canarymedia.com/articles/hyd... @canarymediainc.bsky.social

*taps mic* 🎙 Is this thing on? It seems like it is... despite the "logo" making me cringe every time it pops up on my phone. Energy and climate folks, where ya at?