The Latest from Tom Perkins

• 

  ENN

  New settlement agreement aims to put spotlight on DTE-linked dark money

  Advocates say it’s a great first step, but more needs to be done.

  By Tom Perkins  .  28 August 2023

• 

  ENN

  Dismay as Michigan hands out millions of dollars in ‘low carbon’ grants for gas projects

  Two-thirds of the funding went to support biogas production and natural gas infrastructure, while the rest was split between battery storage, solar and other projects.

  By Tom Perkins  .  16 June 2023

• 

  ENN

  Study finds biogas is no silver bullet in Michigan’s climate woes

  A state regulator said the fuel might still show promise in ‘hardest-to-decarbonize’ industrial applications.

  By Tom Perkins  .  11 January 2023

• 

  ENN

  How decades of neglect left Detroit’s grid vulnerable to powerful storms

  Don’t blame trees — blame the lack of tree trimming around power lines for the region’s growing outage problems, critics say.

  By Tom Perkins  .  16 September 2021

• 

  ENN

  Michigan activists say struggling utility customers need federal bailout

  U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib planned to introduce federal legislation Thursday that would offer utilities forgivable, low-interest loans in exchange for eliminating customer debt and agreeing to suspend service disconnections.

  By Tom Perkins  .  5 August 2021

• 

  ENN

  Is it community solar if the utility — not community — owns the panels?

  Michigan’s DTE Energy is the latest large utility accused of stretching the definition of “community solar” with a program in which customers get power from a utility-owned solar installation.

  By Tom Perkins  .  29 June 2021

• 

  ENN

  Michigan groups dispute claim that 100% renewable grid would be too expensive

  A consultant’s presentation to the newly convened Michigan Council on Climate Solutions suggested the state achieve net-zero emissions with as little as 63% renewable energy, relying on carbon capture for much of the rest.

  By Tom Perkins  .  6 May 2021

• 

  ENN

  Michigan’s energy activists start to see a decade of work pay off in Highland Park

  Soulardarity is increasingly finding a seat at the table in official conversations about Highland Park’s energy future — a contrast with its early days when city leaders largely dismissed them as noisemakers.

  By Tom Perkins  .  4 May 2021

• 

  ENN

  Michigan lawmakers propose $250 million fund to subsidize natural gas

  The state’s House Appropriations Committee has included the funding as part of a budget bill. Utilities could seek reimbursement for natural gas projects in “underserved or unserved” areas of the state such as the Upper Peninsula.

  By Tom Perkins  .  30 April 2021

• 

  ENN

  Utility grant poses potential conflict for Michigan ratepayer board appointee

  Utility watchdogs and ethics experts said a utility foundation’s donation last year to a Highland Park church creates the appearance of a conflict of interest for a pastor recently named to a utility consumer protection board.

  By Tom Perkins  .  20 April 2021