Alissa Jean Schafer
@alissajean.bsky.social
Climate solutionist 🤠 Director @ Private Equity Stakeholder Project. Working for equitable clean energy future through smart policy, innovative legislative and regulatory action, effective communication, and bold accountability. FL-based, future-focused.
Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer
Aw, man, Walz, what up?
Private Equity Power Play in Minnesota
BlackRock-owned Global Infrastructure Partners and a Canadian pension giant want to buy a Minnesota-based utility. Gov. Tim Walz’s agencies have been in on pushing the deal.
prospect.org
October 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Aw, man, Walz, what up?
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...
October 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
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...
MN PUC is starting hearing for BlackRock's attempted takeover of MN Power now, livestream here - minnesotapuc.granicus.com/player/event...
PUC Agenda Meeting on 2025-09-25 9:00 AM
Live and Recorded Public meetings of PUC Agenda Meeting on 2025-09-25 9:00 AM for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
minnesotapuc.granicus.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
MN PUC is starting hearing for BlackRock's attempted takeover of MN Power now, livestream here - minnesotapuc.granicus.com/player/event...
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.
After hospitals were acquired by private equity firms, patient death rates in the emergency departments rose by 13% compared with similar hospitals, according to research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Death rates rose in hospital ERs after private equity firms took over, study finds
The increased deaths in emergency departments at private equity-owned hospitals are most likely the result of reduced staffing levels, researchers say.
nbcnews.to
September 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
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.
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...
www.duluthnewstribune.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
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...
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...
NIMBYs Are Coming for the Data Centers AI Needs
Elected officials have been punished by voters for greenlighting the massive, energy-hogging facilities.
www.bloomberg.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
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...
Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer
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.
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.
Interesting that Fresh Energy is on the side of Blackrock here. minnesotareformer.com/2025/08/19/b...
BlackRock’s bid for Minnesota Power worries consumer advocates • Minnesota Reformer
At the heart of the matter is a simple question: Is it a good or bad thing for the world’s largest asset manager to have a controlling stake in a regional utility?
minnesotareformer.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:59 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Alissa Jean Schafer
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.
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.
August 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
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.
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.
August 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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.
Even Fox News is skeptical of private equity taking over utilities. Check it out (and send in your thoughts if so moved, per the ask at the end of the article!) www.foxnews.com/tech/wall-st...
Wall Street utility takeovers may mean higher bills ahead
As data centers multiply across the United States, energy demand is increasing at a rapid pace. This has not escaped the notice of large investment firms from Wall Street.
www.foxnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Even Fox News is skeptical of private equity taking over utilities. Check it out (and send in your thoughts if so moved, per the ask at the end of the article!) www.foxnews.com/tech/wall-st...
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...
Wall St. Firms Are Buying Utilities to Tap Into the A.I. Boom
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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...
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...
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...
July 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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...
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...
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...
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.
truthout.org
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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...
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/...
May 20, 2025 at 11:13 AM
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/...
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...
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,”…
pestakeholder.org
April 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
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...
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-...
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...
states.aarp.org
April 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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-...
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/news/critica...
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…
pestakeholder.org
March 19, 2025 at 8:33 PM
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/news/critica...
Demand is demand, and solar + storage remains the lowest cost option in many applications, despite Trump's "pro-fossil fuel" stance. Quick research update from me here on the opportunity that Brookfield is acting on: pestakeholder.org/news/by-inve...
By investing in the clean energy transition and retiring fossil fuel assets, Brookfield can clean up its act
The Trump administration’s “pro fossil fuel” stance has raised questions about the financial prospects of proposed and currently ongoing clean energy projects such as solar, wind, and battery storage…
pestakeholder.org
February 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Demand is demand, and solar + storage remains the lowest cost option in many applications, despite Trump's "pro-fossil fuel" stance. Quick research update from me here on the opportunity that Brookfield is acting on: pestakeholder.org/news/by-inve...
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...
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...
www.esgtoday.com
February 11, 2025 at 6:51 PM
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...
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. 😅
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. 😅
February 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
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. 😅
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. 😅
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...
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.
www.bloomberg.com
January 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM
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...
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...
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
www.powermag.com
January 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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...
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??
January 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
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??
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.
January 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
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.
Respectfully... WTF?! ROCK MINING project adjacent to the Everglades?! @jasongarcia.bsky.social jasongarcia.substack.com/p/records-sh...
Records show Big Sugar lobbyists are working on plans for an Everglades-area mine
Boosters of the Big Sugar-backed mine have approached senior aides to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for help with the controversial project.
jasongarcia.substack.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Respectfully... WTF?! ROCK MINING project adjacent to the Everglades?! @jasongarcia.bsky.social jasongarcia.substack.com/p/records-sh...