Explore

Rapid ReadRapid Read
Baltimore City Council Urges Rejection of BGE's Proposed $156 Million Electric Rate Increase

Baltimore City Council Urges Rejection of BGE's Proposed $156 Million Electric Rate Increase

The Baltimore City Council is advocating for the Maryland Public Service Commission to deny BGE's proposed $156 million electric rate increase. This resolution, sponsored by Council President Zeke Cohen, highlights concerns that customers are already struggling with elevated utility costs. If approved in full, BGE estimates the average residential customer's monthly bill would rise by approximately $8, or 4.4%, totaling about $100 annually. BGE, which serves over 1.3 million electric customers and more than 700,000 natural gas customers in Central Maryland, argues that the proposed increase is necessary to fund essential work for maintaining the electric system. The company also states that rising electricity supply costs, which are beyond its control, have had a greater impact on customer bills than its distribution rates. BGE claims the portion of the increase related to its return on equity would amount to less than $1 per month for an average residential customer.
TrendlineTrendline
Dr. Nicola Harding Warns Healey’s Ticket Bill Could Fuel Scammer Activity

Dr. Nicola Harding Warns Healey’s Ticket Bill Could Fuel Scammer Activity

Dr. Nicola Harding Warns Healey’s Ticket Bill Could Fuel Scammer Activity
Rapid ReadRapid Read
California Governor Newsom Enacts Law Restricting Supplement Sales to Minors

California Governor Newsom Enacts Law Restricting Supplement Sales to Minors

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2030 into law, prohibiting the sale of certain weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to individuals under 18 without a prescription. Authored by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, the legislation was signed on September 28 and is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The restrictions apply to various retailers, including pharmacies, grocery stores, supplement retailers, and online businesses. These establishments are now required to request identification when a customer's age cannot be reasonably determined. Online sellers must verify a purchaser's age through qualifying databases or mandate an adult signature and identification upon delivery. Businesses found in violation of this new law could face civil penalties of up to $500 per infraction. The legislation identifies ingredients such as creatine, green tea extract, and raspberry ketone as factors courts may consider, though their presence does not automatically ban a product.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Louisiana Public Service Commission Sued Over Fast-Track Approval for Meta Data Center Power Projects

Louisiana Public Service Commission Sued Over Fast-Track Approval for Meta Data Center Power Projects

A coalition of Louisiana landowners and community advocates has filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC), challenging its 'Lightning Speed Initiative.' This initiative, adopted in December 2025, fast-tracks regulatory approval for large utility projects, including those related to Meta's $50 billion Hyperion data center campus in Richland Parish. The plaintiffs, including the Louisiana Landowners Coalition, Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group, and Save My Louisiana, allege that the PSC violated the Louisiana Constitution by failing to provide adequate public notice before implementing the policy change. According to William Most, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, the agenda for the meeting where the initiative was approved did not sufficiently explain the proposed changes, and the revised rules have not been formally recorded. The PSC's procedural change followed an executive order from Gov. Jeff Landry in September 2025, aimed at expediting major economic development proje...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Senate to Vote on Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to Reform Electricity Transmission

Senate to Vote on Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act to Reform Electricity Transmission

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (BAAJA), a bill aimed at significantly reforming the planning, permitting, and construction of electricity transmission lines across the country. According to David Pomerantz, executive director of the Energy and Policy Institute, these reforms could lead to lower energy bills for millions of Americans. The current system often sees utility monopolies obstructing the construction of long-distance transmission lines, which can increase electricity costs, reduce grid reliability, and hinder the integration of clean energy. BAAJA seeks to address these issues by establishing basic planning standards for Regional Transmission Operators (RTOs), requiring regions to plan collaboratively, and mandating FERC to create standards for allocating the costs of new transmission lines. The bill also grants federal regulators at FERC the authority to intervene and approve lines if states cause undue delays or reject projects that be...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Baltimore City Council Urges PSC to Reject BGE's Proposed $156 Million Rate Hike

Baltimore City Council Urges PSC to Reject BGE's Proposed $156 Million Rate Hike

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen, alongside councilmembers, advocates, and business owners, is urging the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to reject Baltimore Gas and Electric's (BGE) proposed $156 million increase in electricity rates. This proposed hike would raise the average customer's bill by approximately $100 annually, or about $8 per month. Maryland's Office of People's Counsel has recommended denying BGE's request and instead reducing rates by nearly $44 million. Council President Cohen highlighted the difficult choices residents face, often having to prioritize between essential needs like groceries, rent, medication, childcare, and electricity. He also noted that local businesses are struggling due to high BGE bills, with one business owner, Nicole Evanshaw of Silver Queen Cafe, stating that her BGE bill increased by $800 a month, contributing to her decision to close her 11-year-old cafe. BGE, however, defends the increase, stating it is necessary to fund critical inspections...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Rhode Island Residents Protest Energy Company Over High Delivery Fees and Lack of Transparency

Rhode Island Residents Protest Energy Company Over High Delivery Fees and Lack of Transparency

A group of protesters gathered outside the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on Saturday afternoon to demand transparency from Rhode Island Energy. Central Falls City Council member Laurilim Rosado stated that families are in need and deserve respect, calling for answers and accountability from the energy provider. Protesters allege that delivery fees often exceed the actual cost of electricity consumed by families. Rosado highlighted instances where families pay $50-$60 for energy but face delivery fees of $70 or more. She shared her personal struggle with these fees, having to choose between feeding her family and paying the electric bill. Rosado also mentioned her mother, who relies on an oxygen machine, had her power disconnected after falling two months behind on payments due to high delivery charges. Rhode Island Energy has responded by stating that its delivery charges support the construction, maintenance, and safe operation of critical infrastructure, including power lines, storm cleanup, a...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
D.C. Council Committee Unanimously Advances GRID Act to Address Utility Costs and Promote Clean Energy

D.C. Council Committee Unanimously Advances GRID Act to Address Utility Costs and Promote Clean Energy

The D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment has unanimously passed the GRID Act, a utility affordability bill aimed at reining in rising energy costs, strengthening oversight of utility spending and profits, and expanding local clean energy options. Introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen and co-sponsored by several other councilmembers, this legislation would mark the District's first major utility and Public Service Commission reform in 25 years. D.C. electric bills have surged by 93% in the last five years, disproportionately affecting low-income households, with a quarter of them spending at least 14% of their income on energy. The GRID Act seeks to mitigate these issues by increasing scrutiny of utility spending, mandating regular audits, implementing an 18-month pause on multiyear rate increases, and tightening regulations on utility profits. Reforming utilities' allowed return on equity alone could save ratepayers over $50 million annually, according to Public Service Commissi...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
John D. Rockefeller IV, Former West Virginia Governor and Senator, Dies at 89

John D. Rockefeller IV, Former West Virginia Governor and Senator, Dies at 89

John D. Rockefeller IV, widely known as Jay, a prominent figure in West Virginia politics and a member of the famed Rockefeller family, has died at the age of 89. Mr. Rockefeller served two terms as West Virginia's governor from 1977 to 1985 and subsequently spent 30 years as a U.S. Senator. A Democrat in a family traditionally associated with wealthy Republicans, he made healthcare expansion a central part of his political career. He was a key supporter of President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton’s 1993 healthcare plan and later co-authored legislation creating the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provides coverage for millions of low-income children. He also championed extended care services for veterans and voted for the Affordable Care Act in 2010. His commitment to healthcare stemmed from his early experiences as a social worker in Appalachia, where he witnessed the struggles of children without access to basic medical care.
ReutersReuters
Democratic wins in state AG races give Trump a new headache

Democratic wins in state AG races give Trump a new headache

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff WASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Democrats flipped attorney general offices in five Republican-leaning states in the midterm elections, dealing a significant blow to the conservative legal movement and erecting a new line of resistance against President Donald Trump's agenda.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
U.S. Office of Special Counsel Provides Guidance on Hatch Act Compliance for Federal Employees

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Provides Guidance on Hatch Act Compliance for Federal Employees

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is reminding federal employees about the importance of adhering to the Hatch Act, particularly in the aftermath of elections. The OSC emphasizes that while federal employees are citizens in their personal time, they must remain non-partisan while on duty, in federal buildings, or using government accounts. This includes refraining from partisan posts during work hours, even when teleworking or eating lunch at their desks. Additionally, federal employees are prohibited from soliciting campaign donations from coworkers, whether on or off duty, as such actions can lead to career termination. The OSC offers an advisory-opinion service for employees who are unsure about the permissibility of specific activities, encouraging them to seek guidance before acting. This guidance aims to help federal employees navigate political activity while upholding the principles of the merit system.
ReutersReuters
Wall St executives should prepare for oversight under Senator Elizabeth Warren, aide says

Wall St executives should prepare for oversight under Senator Elizabeth Warren, aide says

WASHINGTON, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Wall Street executives and major corporations "should preserve their documents and prepare to answer tough questions" as US Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren prepares to take over as chair of the Senate Banking Committee next year, a Warren banking committee aide said