Author Archives: Justin Schott

From Fame to Shame….And Back Again? The Unfolding Story of PUC Commissioners and Utility Shutoffs

America’s 200 supreme court justices of the energy system–also known as Public Utilities Commissioners–were once the authors of swift, lifesaving action to protect uninterrupted access to energy. At the start of Covid, the majority of these commissioners banned utility shutoffs. Their actions were unequivocal and unprecedented. And desperately needed for the survival and wellbeing ofContinueContinue reading “From Fame to Shame….And Back Again? The Unfolding Story of PUC Commissioners and Utility Shutoffs”

Solidarity Once, Utility Accountability Forever

Americans owe monopoly energy companies upwards of $25 billion. What if we could pull off a massive mutual aid movement to pay off this debt in exchange for a just, resilient energy grid that serves us all? Where are we now? Utilities have been gouging us for years, but the extent of their grift–and theContinueContinue reading “Solidarity Once, Utility Accountability Forever”

Independence Re-envisioned

250 years after 56 men representing the original 13 colonies added their names to Jefferson’s declaration, we need a declaration of independence from an utility system that is fundamentally failing too many of us. And a utility system that fails some must be deemed a failure by all.  Disregarding the human rights to the basicContinueContinue reading “Independence Re-envisioned”