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

Donations have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators

US power companies have made political donations of at least $215m to dark money groups in recent years, according to a new analysis of 25 for-profit utilities, amid growing concerns around how they wield influence.

Such secretive donations to barely regulated non-profit groups have helped utilities increase electricity prices, hinder solar schemes and helped elect sympathetic legislators in recent years.