Abe Scarr
@abescarr.bsky.social
Illinois PIRG director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
Reposted by Abe Scarr
MALACHI MORENO FOR THE WIN ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 AM
MALACHI MORENO FOR THE WIN ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ
How BGE is unnecessarily driving up your gas bill, by Maryland PIRG Associate Sofia Gilroy www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/14/b...
How BGE is unnecessarily driving up your gas bill | GUEST COMMENTARY
Baltimore Gas and Electricโs expensive pipe replacement projects are more about profit than safety, writes Sofia Gilroy.
www.baltimoresun.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:59 PM
How BGE is unnecessarily driving up your gas bill, by Maryland PIRG Associate Sofia Gilroy www.baltimoresun.com/2026/01/14/b...
Kentucky River
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 13, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Kentucky River
Familiar story ...The latest report on MA pipeline safety programs shows utilities are spending more but the miles of pipe being replaced remains flat commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/new-r...
New report: Gas utilities spent record amount replacing leaky pipes in 2024 - CommonWealth Beacon
The latest data on utilitiesโ work to replace leaky pipes paints an even more damning picture of GSEP as costs balloon with fewย additionalย results โ driving up ratepayer bills โ and places recent refo...
commonwealthbeacon.org
January 12, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Familiar story ...The latest report on MA pipeline safety programs shows utilities are spending more but the miles of pipe being replaced remains flat commonwealthbeacon.org/energy/new-r...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
I think this Bears team might be the ultimate Chicago team: always down, never out.
January 11, 2026 at 4:20 AM
I think this Bears team might be the ultimate Chicago team: always down, never out.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
โYes,โ said Frog, reaching for a cookie, โwe need will power.โ
โWhat is will power?โ asked Toad.
โWhat is will power?โ asked Toad.
January 10, 2026 at 8:37 AM
โYes,โ said Frog, reaching for a cookie, โwe need will power.โ
โWhat is will power?โ asked Toad.
โWhat is will power?โ asked Toad.
Nicor files for $221M gas rate hike less than 2 months after last increase approved capitolnewsillinois.com/news/nicor-f...
Nicor files for $221M gas rate hike less than 2 months after last increase approved
Article Summary Nicor Gas submitted a rate request to the Illinois Commerce Commission on Friday, seeking a $221 million rate
capitolnewsillinois.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Nicor files for $221M gas rate hike less than 2 months after last increase approved capitolnewsillinois.com/news/nicor-f...
Nicor Gas seeks $221 million rate increase for suburban Chicago customers www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/n...
Nicor Gas seeks $221 million rate increase for suburban Chicago customers
Nicor Gas filed a $221 million rate increase request Friday with the Illinois Commerce Commission to continue replacing and repairing transmission pipelines and aging equipment, according to a newsโฆ
www.chicagotribune.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Nicor Gas seeks $221 million rate increase for suburban Chicago customers www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/09/n...
Nicor seeks another massive rate hike that could add $6 to suburban gas bills chicago.suntimes.com/consumer-aff...
Nicor seeks another massive rate hike that could add $6 to suburban gas bills
The utility has sought six rate increases since 2017, with its latest hike going into effect this month.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Nicor seeks another massive rate hike that could add $6 to suburban gas bills chicago.suntimes.com/consumer-aff...
"Iโm shocked that Nicor is proposing to raise rates again, just one month after imposing its last rate hike. Nicor is busting its customersโ household budgets because it apparently refuses to live within its own."
pirg.org/illinois/med...
pirg.org/illinois/med...
STATEMENT: Nicor gas files $221 million rate increase just one month after imposing last rate hike
If approved, Nicor rates will have increased roughly 170% in less than a decade
pirg.org
January 9, 2026 at 8:41 PM
"Iโm shocked that Nicor is proposing to raise rates again, just one month after imposing its last rate hike. Nicor is busting its customersโ household budgets because it apparently refuses to live within its own."
pirg.org/illinois/med...
pirg.org/illinois/med...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Just in - "According to @climatecentral.org, 2025 ranks as the third-highest year (after 2023 and 2024) for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters..."
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
January 8, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Just in - "According to @climatecentral.org, 2025 ranks as the third-highest year (after 2023 and 2024) for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters..."
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
+ Interactive graphics/data: www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv...
+ Climate Matters article: www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Peoples Gas $202M rate hike request sparks public outcry, protests in Chicago area
https://abc7chicago.com/post/peoples-gas-202m-rate-hike-request-illinois-commerce-commission-sparks-public-outcry-protests-chicago-area/18363112/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/peoples-gas-202m-rate-hike-request-illinois-commerce-commission-sparks-public-outcry-protests-chicago-area/18363112/
Peoples Gas $202M rate hike request sparks public outcry, protests in Chicago area
Peoples Gas on Monday filed a $202.3 million rate hike request with the Illinois Commerce Commission, sparking public outcry and protests from consumer advocates.
abc7chicago.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Peoples Gas $202M rate hike request sparks public outcry, protests in Chicago area
https://abc7chicago.com/post/peoples-gas-202m-rate-hike-request-illinois-commerce-commission-sparks-public-outcry-protests-chicago-area/18363112/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/peoples-gas-202m-rate-hike-request-illinois-commerce-commission-sparks-public-outcry-protests-chicago-area/18363112/
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Chicago heating bills could get even higher next year under a proposed rate hike from Peoples Gas that would increase the average household natural gas tab by up to $11 per month.
Peoples Gas seeks another big rate hike on Chicago heating bills
chicago.suntimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Chicago heating bills could get even higher next year under a proposed rate hike from Peoples Gas that would increase the average household natural gas tab by up to $11 per month.
Peoples Gas seeks another big rate hike on Chicago heating bills
chicago.suntimes.com/business/202...
chicago.suntimes.com/business/202...
Peoples Gas seeks another big rate hike on Chicago heating bills
The average household bill would increase by up to $11 per month under the Peoples Gas proposal, which state regulators will consider for most of this year.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Peoples Gas seeks another big rate hike on Chicago heating bills
chicago.suntimes.com/business/202...
chicago.suntimes.com/business/202...
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.
The Tribune Editorial Board won't go as far as I would in calling for reform, but lays out the need for -some- reform well www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/e...
Editorial: Another steep homeowners insurance rate hike from Allstate. How should Springfield react?
Allstate is following State Farm with its own steep homeowners insurance rate hike. Springfield should respond, albeit cautiously.
www.chicagotribune.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The Tribune Editorial Board won't go as far as I would in calling for reform, but lays out the need for -some- reform well www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/22/e...
Enacting basic homeowners insurance consumer protections that residents of every other state enjoy should be at the top of the Illinois General Assemblyโs list of new yearโs 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 Assemblyโs list of new yearโs resolutions.
pirg.org/illinois/med...
pirg.org/illinois/med...
โFor too long, utility companies have been extracting unreasonable profits from Californians just trying to heat or cool their homes or keep the lights on,โ 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 stateโs other big investor-owned utilities at a level that consumer groups say...
www.latimes.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:20 AM
โFor too long, utility companies have been extracting unreasonable profits from Californians just trying to heat or cool their homes or keep the lights on,โ 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 wasnโt 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.