Abe Scarr
@abescarr.bsky.social
Illinois PIRG director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Ho ho ho! Bill to streamline residential solar permitting signed into law in NJ. environmentamerica.org/newjersey/me...
Gov. Murphy Signs Smart Solar Permitting Bill To Cut Red Tape, Accelerate Installations, & Deliver Affordable Electricity
Gov. Murphy signed into law the smart solar permitting bill, which will speed up the project approvals for residential solar projects.
environmentamerica.org
December 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Ho ho ho! Bill to streamline residential solar permitting signed into law in NJ. environmentamerica.org/newjersey/me...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Some Allstate customers next year will see their homeowners insurance rate increase by an average of 8.8%, continuing a trend of insurers increasing rates. The planned increase, contained in a recent filing with the Illinois Department of Insurance, is set to begin Feb. 24, 2026.
Allstate plans to hike Illinois homeowners insurance rates
chicago.suntimes.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Some Allstate customers next year will see their homeowners insurance rate increase by an average of 8.8%, continuing a trend of insurers increasing rates. The planned increase, contained in a recent filing with the Illinois Department of Insurance, is set to begin Feb. 24, 2026.
Enacting basic homeowners insurance consumer protections that residents of every other state enjoy should be at the top of the Illinois General Assembly’s list of new year’s resolutions.
pirg.org/illinois/med...
pirg.org/illinois/med...
$58 million Allstate homeowners rate hike shows need for state action to protect consumers
The rate hike is on top of more than $100 million in Illinois homeowners insurance rate hikes enacted by Allstate and its subsidiaries in 2025.
pirg.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Enacting basic homeowners insurance consumer protections that residents of every other state enjoy should be at the top of the Illinois General Assembly’s list of new year’s resolutions.
pirg.org/illinois/med...
pirg.org/illinois/med...
“For too long, utility companies have been extracting unreasonable profits from Californians just trying to heat or cool their homes or keep the lights on,” said @jennengstrom.bsky.social at CALPIRG.
California officials voted to reduce utility profit margins, but not nearly as much as consumer advocates hoped they would. www.latimes.com/environment/...
State regulators vote to keep utility profits high, angering customers across California
The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4 to 1 on Thursday to keep profits at Southern California Edison and the state’s other big investor-owned utilities at a level that consumer groups say...
www.latimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
“For too long, utility companies have been extracting unreasonable profits from Californians just trying to heat or cool their homes or keep the lights on,” said @jennengstrom.bsky.social at CALPIRG.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
first US LNG project halted b/c of the glut and poor financials
Heard about the boom in US LNG?
Well the new LNG "pause" is here.
And it's all about economics.
one down.
Well the new LNG "pause" is here.
And it's all about economics.
one down.
Energy Transfer halts plans for Lake Charles LNG | Latest Market News
US midstream firm Energy Transfer is suspending development of its planned 16.5mn t/yr (2.2 Bcf/d) Lake Charles LNG export terminal in Louisiana to focus on natural gas pipeline expansions, the compan...
www.argusmedia.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
first US LNG project halted b/c of the glut and poor financials
A decade ago, the U.S. lifted long-time restrictions on crude oil exports. Experts said it would be no big deal. They were wrong. @frontiertony.bsky.social frontiergroup.org/resources/ho...
How energy experts missed the U.S. oil boom
A decade ago, the U.S. lifted long-time restrictions on crude oil exports. Experts said it would be no big deal. They were wrong.
frontiergroup.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
A decade ago, the U.S. lifted long-time restrictions on crude oil exports. Experts said it would be no big deal. They were wrong. @frontiertony.bsky.social frontiergroup.org/resources/ho...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
All eyes (should be) on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Voters there recently elected two Dems to the this powerful body, but the decision on Georgia Power's $15B proposal likely won't wait until they are sworn in:
apnews.com/article/geor...
apnews.com/article/geor...
Georgia Power says it needs a huge increase in power capacity to meet data center demand
Georgia's largest utility wants to spend more than $15 billion to increase its electricity capacity by 50% over the next six years to serve data centers.
apnews.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
All eyes (should be) on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Voters there recently elected two Dems to the this powerful body, but the decision on Georgia Power's $15B proposal likely won't wait until they are sworn in:
apnews.com/article/geor...
apnews.com/article/geor...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
We should be shocked at this security flaw at TransUnion, and how hard it was to get them to fix it.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Analysis | It wasn’t hard to hijack TransUnion credit reports. I did it to myself.
You want help if you forget an online password. TransUnion made it too easy, which gave a potential opening to identity thieves.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
We should be shocked at this security flaw at TransUnion, and how hard it was to get them to fix it.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
New! We worked with the Public Interest Research Group to test a bunch of LLM-driven toys ahead of the Christmas. That sexual talking teddy bear wasn't a one-off; it turns out disturbing behavior is deeply built into these toys across the board.
AI toys for kids talk about sex and issue Chinese Communist Party talking points, tests show
New research from Public Interest Research Group and tests conducted by NBC News found that a wide range of AI toys have loose guardrails.
www.nbcnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
New! We worked with the Public Interest Research Group to test a bunch of LLM-driven toys ahead of the Christmas. That sexual talking teddy bear wasn't a one-off; it turns out disturbing behavior is deeply built into these toys across the board.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
👏 NEWS: Teva removes over 200 improper Orange Book patent listings under pressure from the FTC.
🔗 www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/ftc-c...
🔗 www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/ftc-c...
December 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
👏 NEWS: Teva removes over 200 improper Orange Book patent listings under pressure from the FTC.
🔗 www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/ftc-c...
🔗 www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/ftc-c...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Analysis by CUB, @IllinoisPIRG: At a time when consumers are paying inflated costs for necessities like groceries & healthcare, escalating heating gas prices plus serial utility rate hikes are likely to exacerbate hardships for IL households this winter. buff.ly/ALBMvqh
December 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Analysis by CUB, @IllinoisPIRG: At a time when consumers are paying inflated costs for necessities like groceries & healthcare, escalating heating gas prices plus serial utility rate hikes are likely to exacerbate hardships for IL households this winter. buff.ly/ALBMvqh
Reposted by Abe Scarr
@ketanjoshi.co has an excellent new piece in Net Zero Investor on the risky economics of the US LNG export business model.
"He [Mikulka] paints a grim picture of an industry leaning heavily on investors, speculating on a future that’s unlikely to play out anywhere close to what’s expected..."
"He [Mikulka] paints a grim picture of an industry leaning heavily on investors, speculating on a future that’s unlikely to play out anywhere close to what’s expected..."
America’s LNG infrastructure boom is built on shaky ground - Net Zero Investor Spark Issue 3
longviewnetworks.maglr.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
@ketanjoshi.co has an excellent new piece in Net Zero Investor on the risky economics of the US LNG export business model.
"He [Mikulka] paints a grim picture of an industry leaning heavily on investors, speculating on a future that’s unlikely to play out anywhere close to what’s expected..."
"He [Mikulka] paints a grim picture of an industry leaning heavily on investors, speculating on a future that’s unlikely to play out anywhere close to what’s expected..."
Reposted by Abe Scarr
We asked CDOT what’s on tap in terms of properly maintaining Chicago’s protected bike lanes after snowstorms. Promptly plowing is needed, or else they'll face arguments that riders were better off with old-style, paint-only bikeways.
@atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
@atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
We asked CDOT what's on tap for properly maintaining Chicago's protected bike lanes after snowstorms. - Streetsblog Chicago
The department needs to promptly plow bikeways after blizzards, or else face arguments that riders were better off with old-style, paint-only bike lanes.
chi.streetsblog.org
December 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
We asked CDOT what’s on tap in terms of properly maintaining Chicago’s protected bike lanes after snowstorms. Promptly plowing is needed, or else they'll face arguments that riders were better off with old-style, paint-only bikeways.
@atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
@atalliance.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Same as it ever was. The U.S. auto industry is in worse position to meet the mid-21st century than when I wrote this in a fit of frustration 7 years ago and the rollback of fuel economy standards mean it’ll be in even worse shape 7 years from now. frontiergroup.org/articles/can...
Can We Make Environmental Peace with Car Culture? After Yesterday, Probably Not.
There is a better way. And if the auto industry’s short-sighted and ham-handed attack on tailpipe emissions standards helps the rest of us to visualize it more quickly, and commit the necessary resour...
frontiergroup.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Same as it ever was. The U.S. auto industry is in worse position to meet the mid-21st century than when I wrote this in a fit of frustration 7 years ago and the rollback of fuel economy standards mean it’ll be in even worse shape 7 years from now. frontiergroup.org/articles/can...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
But wait — there's more! I took a deep dive into "The Chicago Stomping Grounds of Tom Waits" with this new blog post:
www.robertloerzel.com/2025/12/03/t...
www.robertloerzel.com/2025/12/03/t...
The Chicago Stomping Grounds of Tom Waits – ROBERT LOERZEL
www.robertloerzel.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:25 PM
But wait — there's more! I took a deep dive into "The Chicago Stomping Grounds of Tom Waits" with this new blog post:
www.robertloerzel.com/2025/12/03/t...
www.robertloerzel.com/2025/12/03/t...
Stop me if this sounds familiar: a gas utitliy spending billions (driving up delivery rates and profits) in the name of safety, but actually appearing to prioritize "system modernization."
Read our new whitepaper on BGE's OperaionPipeline
pirg.org/maryland/res...
Read our new whitepaper on BGE's OperaionPipeline
pirg.org/maryland/res...
Fast-Tracked and Flawed
Analysis calls on Maryland regulators to ensure gas utilities comply with new ratepayer protection law
pirg.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Stop me if this sounds familiar: a gas utitliy spending billions (driving up delivery rates and profits) in the name of safety, but actually appearing to prioritize "system modernization."
Read our new whitepaper on BGE's OperaionPipeline
pirg.org/maryland/res...
Read our new whitepaper on BGE's OperaionPipeline
pirg.org/maryland/res...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Maryland PIRG’s new analysis finds BGE’s multi-billion dollar gas pipeline replacement program may be slowing the work to repair or replace the riskiest pipes.
A 2025 law could result in major changes moving forward to stop wasteful spending & require BGE to prioritize safety. bit.ly/pirgreport
A 2025 law could result in major changes moving forward to stop wasteful spending & require BGE to prioritize safety. bit.ly/pirgreport
December 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Maryland PIRG’s new analysis finds BGE’s multi-billion dollar gas pipeline replacement program may be slowing the work to repair or replace the riskiest pipes.
A 2025 law could result in major changes moving forward to stop wasteful spending & require BGE to prioritize safety. bit.ly/pirgreport
A 2025 law could result in major changes moving forward to stop wasteful spending & require BGE to prioritize safety. bit.ly/pirgreport
Reposted by Abe Scarr
From the Editorial Board: Under Gov. JB Pritzker, we thankfully have utility regulators who look out for consumers rather than utility profits.
Editorial: State regulators helped with suburban heat bills. But what’s coming for Chicago?
Under Gov. JB Pritzker, we thankfully have utility regulators who look out for consumers rather than utility profits.
trib.al
December 1, 2025 at 8:34 PM
From the Editorial Board: Under Gov. JB Pritzker, we thankfully have utility regulators who look out for consumers rather than utility profits.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
An update to my work on the adventures of investing in US LNG exports.
“Not once did I get asked a question by a banker: ‘Hey, if I lend you the money, will you get paid back?’” he said. “The only question I ever got asked was, ‘Do you have a permit? Or can you get a permit?’”
“Not once did I get asked a question by a banker: ‘Hey, if I lend you the money, will you get paid back?’” he said. “The only question I ever got asked was, ‘Do you have a permit? Or can you get a permit?’”
US LNG - Debts No Honest Man Could Pay
Before the epic U.S. housing and commercial real estate crash of 2008, bankers were applying innovative approaches to lending. One of their new products was the NINJA loan, which stood for “No Income,...
powering-the-planet.ghost.io
December 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
An update to my work on the adventures of investing in US LNG exports.
“Not once did I get asked a question by a banker: ‘Hey, if I lend you the money, will you get paid back?’” he said. “The only question I ever got asked was, ‘Do you have a permit? Or can you get a permit?’”
“Not once did I get asked a question by a banker: ‘Hey, if I lend you the money, will you get paid back?’” he said. “The only question I ever got asked was, ‘Do you have a permit? Or can you get a permit?’”
Reposted by Abe Scarr
❄️ Winter weather is on the way! Salt enhances safety and helps with icy conditions, but excessive salt use can also harm our local water environment, fish, wildlife, insects, bodies of water, soil, and the paws of our four-legged friends. 🐕 🐈 🐢🐟 🦅🦝🐾
Learn to #SaltSmart this winter!
mwrd.org/salt
Learn to #SaltSmart this winter!
mwrd.org/salt
November 29, 2025 at 12:45 AM
❄️ Winter weather is on the way! Salt enhances safety and helps with icy conditions, but excessive salt use can also harm our local water environment, fish, wildlife, insects, bodies of water, soil, and the paws of our four-legged friends. 🐕 🐈 🐢🐟 🦅🦝🐾
Learn to #SaltSmart this winter!
mwrd.org/salt
Learn to #SaltSmart this winter!
mwrd.org/salt
Reposted by Abe Scarr
An examination of Martin Scorsese’s mob movie 30 years after its release. https://bit.ly/48Ce8c8
Casino (1995) belongs in the Chicago film canon - Chicago Reader
Examining the "Chicagoness" of Casino (1995), Martin Scorsese’s classic mob movie, 30 years after its release
bit.ly
November 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
An examination of Martin Scorsese’s mob movie 30 years after its release. https://bit.ly/48Ce8c8
Reposted by Abe Scarr
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group. n.pr/43HKAat
Ahead of the holidays, consumer and child advocacy groups warn against AI toys
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group.
n.pr
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group. n.pr/43HKAat
Reposted by Abe Scarr
The Illinois Commerce Commission slashed a proposed $314.3 million Nicor Gas rate increase by nearly 47% Wednesday, keeping a lid on rising energy bills for many suburban Chicago customers next year.
ICC slashes Nicor Gas rate hike by $146.5 million, tamping down increases for Chicago-area customers
For customers, that translates to an average increase of about $4.25 per month beginning with the January bill.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 AM
The Illinois Commerce Commission slashed a proposed $314.3 million Nicor Gas rate increase by nearly 47% Wednesday, keeping a lid on rising energy bills for many suburban Chicago customers next year.