Utility monopolies were meant to keep the lights on, but have they also opened the door to corruption that slows energy innovation?

Elisa talks with Dick Munson, veteran clean-energy advocate and author of Power Corrupts, about the scandals that rocked utilities like Commonwealth Edison and FirstEnergy, why the century-old monopoly structure invites abuse, and how bribery and dark money can stall the transition to cleaner, distributed power.

• How billion-dollar bailouts in Illinois and Ohio exposed deep utility corruption

• Why state-sanctioned monopolies create perverse incentives and resist prosumer tech

• Practical reforms—from transparency to shareholder-funded lobbying—that could break the cycle

• Why “clean government” is essential for a clean-energy future

• Dick Munson’s book: Power Corrupts

• More on Elisa Wood and Energy Changemakers: energychangemakers.com

• Follow Elisa on LinkedIn: Elisa Wood

• Related reading: Citizens United decision overview | Environmental Defense Fund
  

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