utilities

The Dirty Truth: Utilities Delaying Clean Energy Transition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Sierra Club launched a new version of their groundbreaking report and interactive tool, The Dirty Truth About Climate Pledges

Xcel Energy Files New Proposal to Accelerate Coal Plant Closures

Today, Xcel Energy filed a new proposal for its electric resource plan that will have the 750 megawatt, coal-fired Comanche 3 unit close no later than January 1, 2031. The Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) signed on to this new proposal as part of a settlement agreement, which the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is expected to consider in May. According to this proposal, the precise date on which Comanche 3 will close will be set in 2024 as part of a Just Transition proceeding at the PUC.

Massachusetts Sierra Club Celebrates Announcement of Lower Community Choice Electricity Rates in Boston

Boston, MA — On Wednesday, Mayor Michelle Wu announced lower electricity rates for residents who are opted into the city’s Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program. With local utility provider Eversource increasing their rates for the winter, all CCE rates will cost less beginning on January 1, 2022, in addition to sourcing more local clean energy. The average Eversource Basic Service Residential Customer is expected to spend $27 per month more than a customer on the CCE Standard option.

Increasing Freeport LNG Fracked Gas Exports Will Mean Higher Energy Bills for American Families

Today, the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) submitted comments to the Department of Energy (DOE) urging the department to deny fossil fuel corporation Freeport LNG’s request to increase their export volumes

ACC Protects Ratepayers from $215 Million of APS’s Imprudent Spending on Dirty Coal Plant

This evening, the Arizona Corporation Commission disallowed $215.5 million of Arizona Public Service’s requested costs for “selective catalytic reduction” pollution controls at its Four Corners coal-burning power plant. Despite evidence in APS’s own modeling indicating that continuing to operate Four Corners was a losing bet for ratepayers, the utility sunk hundreds of millions into this aging, dirty, and expensive coal plant.

Climate advocates sue to protect low-income Wisconsin families and solar choice

Madison, WI -- Today, Sierra Club and Vote Solar filed a lawsuit appealing Madison Gas & Electric’s (MGE) regressive utility rates that impose high costs on low-income customers and discourage investments in energy efficiency and rooftop solar. The decision approving the rates in late December violated several laws, including Wisconsin’s landmark Energy Priorities Law, which requires maximizing energy conservation, efficiency and solar generation.

Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Ohio Sam Randazzo Resigns

After days of speculation surrounding the FBI search of Chairman Sam Randazzo's Columbus home, and an SEC filing from FirstEnergy identifying a questionable $4 million payment to an unidentified Ohio utility regulator, Chairman Randazzo has resigned from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Coalition calls for fairer utility debt collection practices during COVID crisis

OLYMPIA - With thousands of low-income families at risk of having their electricity shut off and being driven into debt by utility bills, a coalition of consumer, environmental and social justice advocates is pushing for systemic reform of utility bill collection practices statewide. 

WA extends moratorium on utility shutoffs during COVID crisis

On Friday, Gov. Jay Inslee extended the moratorium on utilities shutting off essential services for non-payment through July 28. A copy of the Governor’s declaration is available HERE.

Growing WA coalition calls for more protections for low-income utility users

Today, a coalition of environmental, labor and social justice groups are calling for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and state legislative leaders to extend a moratorium on utility shutoffs through the end of the year.

Coalition calls for WA to protect low-income utility users during COVID fallout

Today, more than 60 environmental, labor and social justice groups are calling for Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to extend the moratorium preventing public and private utilities from shutting off essential services like energy, water and telecommunications to their ratepayers. The current moratorium expires on Monday, May 4.

Clean Energy Advocates Oppose Nevada Ballot Question 3

Today, four clean energy groups, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, and Western Resource Advocates, announced their opposition to Question 3 on Nevada’s ballot this upcoming election. Question 3 would deregulate the state’s electricity market and could disrupt the state’s progress toward a clean energy future.