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.
You can email the MN Public Utility Commission at consumer.puc@state.mn.us and reference PUC Docket Number 24-198 - aka BlackRock trying to take over MN Power. You can also write a letter to the editor in your paper, post about it on social media, & talk with your neighbors about contacting the PUC!
August 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
You can email the MN Public Utility Commission at consumer.puc@state.mn.us and reference PUC Docket Number 24-198 - aka BlackRock trying to take over MN Power. You can also write a letter to the editor in your paper, post about it on social media, & talk with your neighbors about contacting the PUC!
As the kids are saying these days... sus. Did I get that right? I spoke with Katya Schwenk at The Lever about all the shenanigans: www.levernews.com/this-is-how-...
This Is How Wall Street Could Buy Your Power Company
Private equity giant BlackRock is waging a scorched-earth campaign to acquire a regional power company as Wall Street seeks to profit from the AI energy boom.
www.levernews.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
As the kids are saying these days... sus. Did I get that right? I spoke with Katya Schwenk at The Lever about all the shenanigans: www.levernews.com/this-is-how-...
The commission is expected to decide on this deal this fall. In the meantime, some *odd* things have happened, including a BlackRock/GIP lawyer and former MN public utility commissioner's name, Lipschultz, showing up as the author on a comment filed in support of the deal "from" a local labor group.
August 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The commission is expected to decide on this deal this fall. In the meantime, some *odd* things have happened, including a BlackRock/GIP lawyer and former MN public utility commissioner's name, Lipschultz, showing up as the author on a comment filed in support of the deal "from" a local labor group.
What's next? The MN Administrative Law Judge Megan J. McKenzie has a July 15 deadline to issue her recommendation, then the matter goes the the MN Public Utilities Commission for final ruling.
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
What's next? The MN Administrative Law Judge Megan J. McKenzie has a July 15 deadline to issue her recommendation, then the matter goes the the MN Public Utilities Commission for final ruling.
“All this should raise a lot of concern,” said Schafer. “There’s no reason that customers in Minnesota should have faith that BlackRock and GIP are going to do the right thing.”
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“All this should raise a lot of concern,” said Schafer. “There’s no reason that customers in Minnesota should have faith that BlackRock and GIP are going to do the right thing.”
In short: “The prospect of a utility that so many folks rely on for access to energy being taken over by a shadowy private equity firm is incredibly concerning,” Alissa Jean Schafer, climate director at Private Equity Stakeholder Project, told Truthout.
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
In short: “The prospect of a utility that so many folks rely on for access to energy being taken over by a shadowy private equity firm is incredibly concerning,” Alissa Jean Schafer, climate director at Private Equity Stakeholder Project, told Truthout.
Backsliding: MN has climate goals, BlackRock/GIP are heavily invested in fossil fuels. "Critics say there’s nothing legally binding the new owners to provide clean energy funding to MN Power. “The commitment to provide that capital is a big pinky swear... but it’s not legally enforceable,” -Edstrom"
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Backsliding: MN has climate goals, BlackRock/GIP are heavily invested in fossil fuels. "Critics say there’s nothing legally binding the new owners to provide clean energy funding to MN Power. “The commitment to provide that capital is a big pinky swear... but it’s not legally enforceable,” -Edstrom"
Less transparency: Private ownership means less public oversight. "Between their control over the board — GIP and CPP [Canada Pension Plan Investment Board] can appoint 10 of Allete’s 13 directors — and becoming Allete’s sole source of capital, these two private owners will dominate the utility."
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Less transparency: Private ownership means less public oversight. "Between their control over the board — GIP and CPP [Canada Pension Plan Investment Board] can appoint 10 of Allete’s 13 directors — and becoming Allete’s sole source of capital, these two private owners will dominate the utility."
Private equity takeover could mean higher bills: “Private equity investors demand higher profits than normal market investors,” Jenna Yeakle, an organizer with the Sierra Club and a Minnesota Power customer, told Truthout. “That means higher rates for residential and small business customers.”
July 9, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Private equity takeover could mean higher bills: “Private equity investors demand higher profits than normal market investors,” Jenna Yeakle, an organizer with the Sierra Club and a Minnesota Power customer, told Truthout. “That means higher rates for residential and small business customers.”