Abe Scarr
@abescarr.bsky.social
Illinois PIRG director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
PIRG Energy and Utilities Program director
Reposted by Abe Scarr
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group. n.pr/43HKAat
Ahead of the holidays, consumer and child advocacy groups warn against AI toys
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group.
n.pr
November 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The child advocacy nonprofit Fairplay issued an advisory on Thursday warning people against buying AI toys this holiday season. It's not the only group. n.pr/43HKAat
Reposted by Abe Scarr
The Illinois Commerce Commission slashed a proposed $314.3 million Nicor Gas rate increase by nearly 47% Wednesday, keeping a lid on rising energy bills for many suburban Chicago customers next year.
ICC slashes Nicor Gas rate hike by $146.5 million, tamping down increases for Chicago-area customers
For customers, that translates to an average increase of about $4.25 per month beginning with the January bill.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 2:05 AM
The Illinois Commerce Commission slashed a proposed $314.3 million Nicor Gas rate increase by nearly 47% Wednesday, keeping a lid on rising energy bills for many suburban Chicago customers next year.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
I'm dense when it comes to finance, so the fact that I got to a point of understanding how utilities earn profit and why they should or shouldn't earn less means you can too. I stayed up till 3am trying to explain in an accessible way. Hopefully it was worth it!
heatmap.news/energy/calif...
heatmap.news/energy/calif...
What If Utilities Just Made Less Money?
California energy companies are asking for permission to take in more revenue. Consumer advocates are having none of it.
heatmap.news
November 19, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I'm dense when it comes to finance, so the fact that I got to a point of understanding how utilities earn profit and why they should or shouldn't earn less means you can too. I stayed up till 3am trying to explain in an accessible way. Hopefully it was worth it!
heatmap.news/energy/calif...
heatmap.news/energy/calif...
Two more good decisions from the IIlinois Commerce Commission...
STATEMENT: Regulators slash Nicor, Ameren rate hikes
pirg.org/illinois/med...
STATEMENT: Regulators slash Nicor, Ameren rate hikes
pirg.org/illinois/med...
STATEMENT: Regulators slash Nicor, Ameren rate hikes
pirg.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Two more good decisions from the IIlinois Commerce Commission...
STATEMENT: Regulators slash Nicor, Ameren rate hikes
pirg.org/illinois/med...
STATEMENT: Regulators slash Nicor, Ameren rate hikes
pirg.org/illinois/med...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
If you're into question of mental health chatbots being a little unhinged, my colleague Ellen Hengesbach did some fascinating testing. V enjoyable read: pirg.org/edfund/artic...
I tried out an AI chatbot therapist. Here’s what I saw.
AI therapists are increasingly popular. We found some reasons to be concerned.
pirg.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:49 PM
If you're into question of mental health chatbots being a little unhinged, my colleague Ellen Hengesbach did some fascinating testing. V enjoyable read: pirg.org/edfund/artic...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
The consensus is that the electrification of transportation will destroy 5 million barrels per day of oil demand by 2030.
In this new piece I argue that this number is too low for a bunch of reasons.
In this new piece I argue that this number is too low for a bunch of reasons.
Gluttons For Punishment: Oil Industry Doubles Down Against Reality
The world is facing a multi-year oil glut where the oil producers will be pumping more oil out of the ground than the world is using. This will keep oil prices at low levels – likely well below the le...
powering-the-planet.ghost.io
November 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The consensus is that the electrification of transportation will destroy 5 million barrels per day of oil demand by 2030.
In this new piece I argue that this number is too low for a bunch of reasons.
In this new piece I argue that this number is too low for a bunch of reasons.
Maryland utiility regulators are using their new authority to ensure Washington Gas' pipe safety spending priritizes safety and is cost effective
pirg.org/maryland/upd...
pirg.org/maryland/upd...
Utility regulators scrutinize 2025 Washington Gas infrastructure spending
New law requires spending to priotize safety and be cost-effective
pirg.org
November 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Maryland utiility regulators are using their new authority to ensure Washington Gas' pipe safety spending priritizes safety and is cost effective
pirg.org/maryland/upd...
pirg.org/maryland/upd...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
signs of future turmoil for LNG
Demand in China and India still down from last year, no sign of a turnaround
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Pakistan cancels 21 LNG cargoes, as solar takes over
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Demand in China and India still down from last year, no sign of a turnaround
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Pakistan cancels 21 LNG cargoes, as solar takes over
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Asia LNG imports slip on weak China, but Europe gain compensates
Asia's imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in October from the same month a year earlier, as top buyer China extended a run of weakness that has stretched for a year.
www.reuters.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:12 PM
signs of future turmoil for LNG
Demand in China and India still down from last year, no sign of a turnaround
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Pakistan cancels 21 LNG cargoes, as solar takes over
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Demand in China and India still down from last year, no sign of a turnaround
www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Pakistan cancels 21 LNG cargoes, as solar takes over
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Nevada just let property insurers exclude wildfire coverage. Homeowners won’t realize until it’s too late that fire isn't covered. Expect shock, underinsurance, and scrambling for expensive new policies. Plus: pressure for a federal wildfire safety net. open.substack.com/pub/susanpcr...
What happens if property insurers are allowed to exclude wildfires from coverage?
“Are we just going to turn everybody loose and let the fires burn our houses down?” Nevada just did — and others may follow.
open.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Nevada just let property insurers exclude wildfire coverage. Homeowners won’t realize until it’s too late that fire isn't covered. Expect shock, underinsurance, and scrambling for expensive new policies. Plus: pressure for a federal wildfire safety net. open.substack.com/pub/susanpcr...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
This is a renewable motion, so the sponsor can call it again. We'll see.
October 31, 2025 at 3:04 AM
This is a renewable motion, so the sponsor can call it again. We'll see.
Homeowners insurance reform bill - HB3799 as amended by SA2 and SA3 -fails in the house.
We remained neutral on it. It would be an important step forward, but falls short of what we’ve advocated for.
We remained neutral on it. It would be an important step forward, but falls short of what we’ve advocated for.
The bill doesn’t pass. (After this photo was taken Rep Manley voted yes, bringing the total to 56. 60 votes are needed for passage.)
Illinois is the headquarters of two of the largest insurers in the nation, Allstate and State Farm. The lobby has always been successful at resisting regulation.
Illinois is the headquarters of two of the largest insurers in the nation, Allstate and State Farm. The lobby has always been successful at resisting regulation.
October 31, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Homeowners insurance reform bill - HB3799 as amended by SA2 and SA3 -fails in the house.
We remained neutral on it. It would be an important step forward, but falls short of what we’ve advocated for.
We remained neutral on it. It would be an important step forward, but falls short of what we’ve advocated for.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
DEFENDERS TAKING PENALTIES!!!! RAAAHHHHH
October 27, 2025 at 12:04 AM
DEFENDERS TAKING PENALTIES!!!! RAAAHHHHH
Reposted by Abe Scarr
New exclusive up on @heatmap.news
A new analysis shows how states can intervene to slash red tape, unlock a lot more cheap solar and batteries to meet our growing electricity needs, and shave more than $1 trillion -- yes, with a T -- off Americans' utility bills.
heatmap.news/energy/solar...
A new analysis shows how states can intervene to slash red tape, unlock a lot more cheap solar and batteries to meet our growing electricity needs, and shave more than $1 trillion -- yes, with a T -- off Americans' utility bills.
heatmap.news/energy/solar...
Simpler Solar Regulations Would Save Americans $1.2 Trillion
A new analysis by Permit Power calculates the cumulative benefits of cheap rooftop solar over the lifetime of a typical rig.
heatmap.news
October 23, 2025 at 11:30 AM
New exclusive up on @heatmap.news
A new analysis shows how states can intervene to slash red tape, unlock a lot more cheap solar and batteries to meet our growing electricity needs, and shave more than $1 trillion -- yes, with a T -- off Americans' utility bills.
heatmap.news/energy/solar...
A new analysis shows how states can intervene to slash red tape, unlock a lot more cheap solar and batteries to meet our growing electricity needs, and shave more than $1 trillion -- yes, with a T -- off Americans' utility bills.
heatmap.news/energy/solar...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
With #cf97 2-0 up against Orlando, couldn't help but look back on their last playoff win; 2-0 on Nov. 7, 2009 against New England. John Thorrington and Cuauhtemoc Blanco with the goals. Interesting duo there.
October 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
With #cf97 2-0 up against Orlando, couldn't help but look back on their last playoff win; 2-0 on Nov. 7, 2009 against New England. John Thorrington and Cuauhtemoc Blanco with the goals. Interesting duo there.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Franklin is the latest local government to rebuff a potential data center, with zoning regulators rejecting a proposal Tuesday night that would amend regulations to allow their construction. From WKU:
Zoning regulators in Franklin reject 'generational opportunity' data center proposal, but fate of project still up in the air
The latest debate over data centers is playing out in a small town in southern Kentucky near the Tennessee border. The Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a proposal Tuesday night that wo...
www.wkyufm.org
October 22, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Franklin is the latest local government to rebuff a potential data center, with zoning regulators rejecting a proposal Tuesday night that would amend regulations to allow their construction. From WKU:
Reposted by Abe Scarr
It's mostly because of utilities and their decisions to spend more on poles and wires.
The thing about this story is that there's so much data on market prices, T&D spending, etc. And the "reporting" on it basically ignores the data.
The thing about this story is that there's so much data on market prices, T&D spending, etc. And the "reporting" on it basically ignores the data.
Remember how I said electricity prices are the sleeper political issue of the next few years, especially in crucial state elections?
Here's RW media telling NJ voters that renewables are the cause of those high prices:
Here's RW media telling NJ voters that renewables are the cause of those high prices:
Murdoch media continues scapegoating renewable energy in New Jersey
www.mediamatters.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
It's mostly because of utilities and their decisions to spend more on poles and wires.
The thing about this story is that there's so much data on market prices, T&D spending, etc. And the "reporting" on it basically ignores the data.
The thing about this story is that there's so much data on market prices, T&D spending, etc. And the "reporting" on it basically ignores the data.
About to kick off a press event with AARP Illinois and @cubillinois.bsky.social - and then will deliver almost 40,000 public comments to the Illinois Commerce Commission asking them to limit Nicor’s 5th rate hike since 2017.
October 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
About to kick off a press event with AARP Illinois and @cubillinois.bsky.social - and then will deliver almost 40,000 public comments to the Illinois Commerce Commission asking them to limit Nicor’s 5th rate hike since 2017.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
📣 The "U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters" data is back today through @climatecentral.org! And more soon!
➡️ Explore our new interactive website at www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv..., which is now updated through the first half of 2025 & totaling over $101 billion from 14 events.
➡️ Explore our new interactive website at www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv..., which is now updated through the first half of 2025 & totaling over $101 billion from 14 events.
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
📣 The "U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters" data is back today through @climatecentral.org! And more soon!
➡️ Explore our new interactive website at www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv..., which is now updated through the first half of 2025 & totaling over $101 billion from 14 events.
➡️ Explore our new interactive website at www.climatecentral.org/climate-serv..., which is now updated through the first half of 2025 & totaling over $101 billion from 14 events.
Reposted by Abe Scarr
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Disaster Recovery Is an $8 Trillion Driver of US Growth
Investors are on the hunt for companies powering the disaster industrial complex, which are fueling US growth and outpacing the S&P 500
www.bloomberg.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Many things are changing before our eyes. Others are harder to see
Like the US economy
Americans are spending more 💲 recovering from disasters and preparing for the next one. 36% of US GDP growth since 2000 is related to climate disasters.
Welcome to the Disaster Industrial Complex 🎁🔗
Reposted by Abe Scarr
3. Main takeaways, continued:
- Retail electricity prices, and price increases, are mostly about spending on poles and wires, not energy supply
- Renewables don't correlate with higher prices, but dependence on natural gas pretty clearly does
- Retail electricity prices, and price increases, are mostly about spending on poles and wires, not energy supply
- Renewables don't correlate with higher prices, but dependence on natural gas pretty clearly does
October 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
3. Main takeaways, continued:
- Retail electricity prices, and price increases, are mostly about spending on poles and wires, not energy supply
- Renewables don't correlate with higher prices, but dependence on natural gas pretty clearly does
- Retail electricity prices, and price increases, are mostly about spending on poles and wires, not energy supply
- Renewables don't correlate with higher prices, but dependence on natural gas pretty clearly does
Lawmakers must ensure Illinois consumers get insurance worth their payments
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/o...
Abraham Scarr: Lawmakers must ensure Illinois consumers get insurance worth their payments
Illinois is the only state in the entire country where it is legal to charge excessive home and auto insurance rates.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Lawmakers must ensure Illinois consumers get insurance worth their payments
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/o...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/o...
Illinois faces an insurability crisis — not just an insurance crisis - great piece by Rob Moore of @nrdc.org www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/illi...
Opinion: Illinois faces an insurability crisis — not just an insurance crisis
Rising premiums show Illinois faces an insurability crisis fueled by climate risk — and price regulation alone won’t keep coverage affordable.
www.chicagobusiness.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Illinois faces an insurability crisis — not just an insurance crisis - great piece by Rob Moore of @nrdc.org www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/illi...
State Farm faces lawsuit from Illinois amid scrutiny over rate increases www.chicagobusiness.com/insurance/il...
State Farm faces lawsuit from Illinois amid scrutiny over rate increases
The suit alleges State Farm refused to comply with a Department of Insurance examination into its homeowners business.
www.chicagobusiness.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
State Farm faces lawsuit from Illinois amid scrutiny over rate increases www.chicagobusiness.com/insurance/il...
Reposted by Abe Scarr
Gas utility bills are rising even though natural gas prices are down. That's because a much larger share of your gas bill now goes to infrastructure instead of fuel.
Natural gas prices are low, but your monthly gas bill is up. Here's why
Gas utility bills are rising even though natural gas prices are down. That's because a much larger share of your gas bill now goes to infrastructure instead of fuel.
n.pr
October 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Gas utility bills are rising even though natural gas prices are down. That's because a much larger share of your gas bill now goes to infrastructure instead of fuel.