Power companies quietly pushed $215m into US politics via dark money groups

Sometimes, power company dark money giving hides illegality. In 2021 in Ohio, FirstEnergy Corporation pleaded guilty to using dark money groups to bribe politicians in exchange for bailouts. 

In another instance of ethically questionable actions, Florida Power and Light (FPL) used dark money to interfere with ballot initiatives, and the elections of five politicians who in part aimed to tackle the high prices of electric bills and environmental and climate goals. 

"We are captive payers. To be funding lobbying against clean energy and climate that customers actually want goes against the public interest," said Jean Su, a senior attorney at environmental group Center for Biological Diversity.…

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/15/us-power-companies-political-lobbying-donations-nonprofit

Leaked: US power companies secretly spending millions to protect profits and fight clean energy | Florida | The Guardian

Big power companies operate as monopolies with captive customers in much of the south-east US. They are supposed to be closely regulated, but their profits and unchecked political spending makes them some of the most powerful entities in a state...

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/27/leaked-us-leaked-power-companies-spending-profits-stop-clean-energy