Power Firms Quietly Pushed $215m Into US Politics Via Dark Money Groups

"Donations have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators".

"US power companies have made political donations of at least $215m to dark money groups in recent years, according to a new analysis of 25 for-profit utilities, amid growing concerns around how they wield influence.

Such secretive donations to barely regulated non-profit groups have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators in recent years.

While dark money giving to tax-exempt groups is legal, a number of utilities have faced criticism for it. In Arizona and Alabama, power companies faced blowback after they used dark money to aid the election of friendly regulators. In Michigan, regulators barred another company from using dark money entirely after it spent $43m on politics in just three years."

Mario Ariza reports for Floodlight June 15, 2023.

Source: Floodlight, 06/16/2023