Abe Scarr
@abescarr.bsky.social
Illinois PIRG director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
Why a New Mexico Developer Quit Gas www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/c...
Why a New Mexico Developer Quit Natural Gas
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Why a New Mexico Developer Quit Gas www.nytimes.com/2026/01/29/c...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Oh man. Writing the Marley piece I listened to a LOT of Sly Dunbar, the man who moved reggae past the one-drop and (with Robbie Shakespeare) formed one of the most incredible rhythm sections/production duos ever. RIP
January 26, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Oh man. Writing the Marley piece I listened to a LOT of Sly Dunbar, the man who moved reggae past the one-drop and (with Robbie Shakespeare) formed one of the most incredible rhythm sections/production duos ever. RIP
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Jokes about an insurance company called "Halfway There" are strange coming from a P&C insurance giant that Weiss Ratings estimates was among the insurers that closed < half their claims payments in 2024 weissratings.com/en/weiss-new...
Danny McBride and Keegan-Michael Key Go Halfway for State Farm's Super Bowl Teaser
The brand sat out 2025’s Big Game after LA wildfires.
www.adweek.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Jokes about an insurance company called "Halfway There" are strange coming from a P&C insurance giant that Weiss Ratings estimates was among the insurers that closed < half their claims payments in 2024 weissratings.com/en/weiss-new...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
There are thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in Illinois, littering fields and farmland, sitting unplugged and unnoticed.
Here's a look at these so-called "orphan" wells and how state mismanagement could cost taxpayers millions:
Here's a look at these so-called "orphan" wells and how state mismanagement could cost taxpayers millions:
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem.
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.
trib.al
January 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM
There are thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in Illinois, littering fields and farmland, sitting unplugged and unnoticed.
Here's a look at these so-called "orphan" wells and how state mismanagement could cost taxpayers millions:
Here's a look at these so-called "orphan" wells and how state mismanagement could cost taxpayers millions:
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Natural-gas prices have jumped this week in response to forecasts calling for some of the coldest, snowiest weather in years to freeze the country from the West Texas desert to the Great Lakes.
Natural-Gas Prices Soar as U.S. Braces for Arctic Blast
A big concern is Texas, where cold temperatures threaten to ice oil-and-gas fields and wreak havoc on the power grid.
on.wsj.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Natural-gas prices have jumped this week in response to forecasts calling for some of the coldest, snowiest weather in years to freeze the country from the West Texas desert to the Great Lakes.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
MALACHI MORENO FOR THE WIN 😼😼😼😼😼😼😼
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 AM
MALACHI MORENO FOR THE WIN 😼😼😼😼😼😼😼
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 Electric’s 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 utilities’ work to replace leaky pipes paints an even more damning picture of GSEP as costs balloon with few additional results — driving up ratepayer bills — 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
“Yes,” said Frog, reaching for a cookie, “we need will power.”
“What is will power?” asked Toad.
“What is will power?” asked Toad.
January 10, 2026 at 8:37 AM
“Yes,” said Frog, reaching for a cookie, “we need will power.”
“What is will power?” asked Toad.
“What is will power?” 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 news…
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...
"I’m shocked that Nicor is proposing to raise rates again, just one month after imposing its last rate hike. Nicor is busting its customers’ 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
"I’m shocked that Nicor is proposing to raise rates again, just one month after imposing its last rate hike. Nicor is busting its customers’ 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 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.