Federal court strikes down Texas anti-ESG law
A federal court has ruled that Texas’ 2021 “anti-ESG” law, Senate Bill 13, is unconstitutional, blocking the state from enforcing a statute that restricted how public entities could…
Explore the issues
Find more information on the issues deeply affected by private equity investments:
Media spotlight: Coverage examines risks of private equity in 401(k)s
As the Department of Labor moves closer to finalizing new rules on private equity and other alternative investments in 401(k) retirement plans, recent media coverage has highlighted growing questions about performance, fees, transparency, and fiduciary risk. In reporting…
The Seattle Times : WA treasurer and private equity
New reporting from The Seattle Times examines mounting concern over the Washington State Investment Board’s heavy exposure to private equity, as Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti warns the state to reconsider its reliance on…
Private equity-backed midstream firms face record fines
Private equity-backed midstream companies facing regulatory setbacks and record fines Two private equity-backed midstream companies operating in Louisiana faced recent financial and permitting challenges. The first company, Third Coast Midstream, a major U.S. oil and gas pipeline company backed…
Private equity won’t exit fossil fuels until at least 2090
Largest private equity firms won’t exit fossil fuels until at least 2090 at current pace Energy portfolio tracker reveals continued fossil fuel expansion by major firms, including BlackRock, despite climate and investor risks Today, the Private Equity Climate…
Private equity lags stocks as Trump DOL moves to expand 401(k) access
New analysis raises concerns for retirement savers as federal regulators consider opening 401(k)s to private equity investments WASHINGTON, DC — As the Department of Labor moves toward finalizing rule changes that could make it easier for private equity investments to be…
Private equity lags stocks for retail investors
Private equity funds for retail investors dramatically underperformed stocks in 2025 despite charging much higher fees Private equity seeking DOL safe harbor against 401K lawsuits over fees, performance As the private equity industry is asking the Trump Administration to provide…
CNO op-ed: Canada deserves straight answers
The prime minister’s climate record doesn’t match his rhetoric. Canada deserves straight answers. The following op-ed by PESP senior research coordinator Amanda Mendoza published in January in Canada’s National Observer: In the frantic hours before Parliament voted…
PESP participates in webinar with Minnesota legislators, advocates
After the decision to allow the BlackRock acquisition of Minnesota Power (MP) to commence by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MN PUC), Minnesotans were left to wonder how…
PESP responds to FERC staff letter of deficiency in Blackstone-TXNM deal
The Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) welcomes a letter of deficiencyissued December 23, 2025 by staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding Blackstone’s proposed acquisition of TXNM Energy and its subsidiaries, Public Service Company…
Blackstone plans to acquire multi-utility TXNM, raising concerns about energy affordability
TXNM, parent company to two electric utilities, PNM and TNMP, announced plans to be acquired by Blackstone’s Infrastructure platform in May of 2025 in a $11.5 billion take-private deal. This proposed acquisition would…
