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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

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...

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

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...

duluthnewstribune.com

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

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...

bloomberg.com

NIMBYs Are Coming for the Data Centers AI Needs

Elected officials have been punished by voters for greenlighting the massive, energy-hogging facilities.

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Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer

ashley fairbanks @ziibiing.com · 19/08/2025

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.

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Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer

isaac @sevier.io · 18/08/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

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...

nytimes.com

Wall St. Firms Are Buying Utilities to Tap Into the A.I. Boom

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

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...

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

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...

truthout.org

Why Is BlackRock Gunning to Take Over a Minnesota Electric Utility?

Opponents say the deal would leave ratepayers and regulators at the mercy of far-off financial profiteers.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

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/...

axios.com

As FPL seeks to increase rates, community organizations encourage residents to speak out

Public hearings on the proposed hike begin May 28.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

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...

pestakeholder.org

FERC Chair Christie highlights concerns over BlackRock’s blanket authorization extension, while still approving order

On April 17, 2025, the Federal Energy Commission approved the extension of BlackRock’s blanket authorization to acquire voting securities of any “public utility,” “electric utility company,”…

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

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-...

states.aarp.org

2025 Florida Power & Light Rate Case Hub

As your advocate, AARP Florida is committed to ensuring fair and reasonable rates for FPL customers, with a particular focus on protecting older adults on fixed incomes from excessive financial strain...

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

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...

pestakeholder.org

Critical questions about private equity’s big bet on data centers

As power demand forecasts surge, partially driven by a frenzy around artificial intelligence and the technology’s data centers projections, private equity firms are poised to be a key part of the…

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

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...

esgtoday.com

New Acting SEC Chair Questions Need for Climate Disclosure Rule - ESG Today

Acting U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Mark Uyeda announced today that he would request that legal proceedings against the SEC’s new climate disclosure rule be postponed pending...

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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. 😅

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

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...

bloomberg.com

DeepSeek’s AI Model Just Upended the White-Hot US Power Market

The Chinese company is rapidly changing assumptions about individual models’ power needs, but the AI sector’s emissions are still a concern.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

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...

powermag.com

Blackstone to Acquire 774-MW Virginia Gas Plant in 'Data Center Alley' in Reported $1B Deal

Prominent private equity investment firm Blackstone has agreed to acquire the 774-MW Potomac Energy Center—a natural gas power plant located in Virginia’s

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

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??

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

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-...

pionline.com

Wyoming House introduces anti-ESG bill

Both the Wyoming Retirement System and State Treasurer's Office said they would lose revenue if the bill is passed.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

“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...

ohiocapitaljournal.com

Ohio coal plant said to be nation's most deadly. New owners seem likely to keep it open • Ohio Capital Journal

Environmental activists have been pressing the company buying an Ohio coal plant said to be the nation's deadliest to retire the facility. But that seems unlikely, given statements it made in a regula...

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Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

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

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 14/02/2024

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

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 07/12/2023

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

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

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.

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 18/10/2023

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)

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 17/10/2023

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 😅

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Alissa Jean Schafer @alissajean.bsky.social · 14/10/2023

*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?

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