John Farrell, Author at Institute for Local Self-Reliance

13 Nov 2018

Solar Co-ops Support Clean Energy Advances in D.C. — Episode 64 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by John Farrell | Date: 13 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

How does a growing, national nonprofit organization help homeowners complete the circle between clean energy ownership and policy advocacy? ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell talks with Anya Schoolman of Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in this October 2018 recording about two major clean energy policies before the Washington, D.C., city council. SUN’s solar co-op model has spread to 10 states, and builds the constituency for clean energy policy.… Read More

8 Nov 2018

How Cities Can Fund Their 100% Renewable Ambitions

by John Farrell | Date: 8 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

We’re inspired by the passage of the Portland Clean Energy Initiative this week, a ballot measure that will now provide $30 million per year for the city’s clean energy and climate work. Even better, the funds will target local energy deployment that lifts up low-income folks and people of color with energy savings and solar energy, as well as jobs installing these cost-saving measures. But there are other tools more readily at a city’s disposal for funding climate work.… Read More

7 Nov 2018

How Did Renewable Energy Fare at the Ballot Box? (2018 Election Edition)

by John Farrell | Date: 7 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Several clean energy measures were on the ballot in state and local elections this November. The results of state ballot measures were mixed, but voters in Portland, Ore., won handily at creating a fund for equitable, local clean energy investments.… Read More

5 Nov 2018

ILSR’s Community Power Map Gets a Facelift

by John Farrell | Date: 5 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

How do states help or hinder local progress toward renewable energy? ILSR’s Community Power Map illustrates the ways, with an interactive interface that received a refresh this week. The companion to the annual Community Power Scorecard, the map highlights state policies like community solar and community choice energy that enable local clean energy deployment. It also shows the impacts of those policies by listing where projects have been developed, where communities have made 100% renewable energy commitments, and where communities have taken charge of their energy systems.… Read More

31 Oct 2018

Voices of 100%: Will Portland Voters Opt for New Equitable Clean Energy Fund? — Episode 63 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by Marie Donahue and John Farrell | Date: 31 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

Across the U.S., over 80 cities have made commitments to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. In our fifth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, Alan Hipólito, director of Verde and advocate with the Portland Clean Energy Initiative, speaks with John Farrell about a unique initiative on Portland, Oregon’s ballot this Election Day. The two discuss what inspired Portland’s grassroots campaign and, if passed, how the city will fund a local, clean energy transition that centers low-income communities and people of color.… Read More

24 Oct 2018

Minnesota Regulators Give Boost to Residential Community Solar

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

In a decision earlier this month, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a 1.5-cent adder to the per-kilowatt-hour compensation offered to residential subscribers of community solar projects offered in Xcel Energy territory in Minnesota. The Commission’s decision gives hope that residential participation will continue, with the adder effective for projects started in 2019 and 2020.… Read More

24 Oct 2018

Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Minnesota’s community solar program hit a record 445 megawatts of operational capacity in October 2018. We note a new finding, that the total queue has actually shrunk in size since January 2017. Two charts show the progress of the program.… Read More

11 Oct 2018

Video: Advancing Energy Democracy with Community Renewable Energy

by John Farrell and Maria McCoy | Date: 11 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

This 30-minute video is a companion guide to the NAACP’s Just Energy Toolkit. It begins with an interview on the site of a community solar project in north Minneapolis, a project that in many ways epitomizes energy democracy.… Read More

10 Oct 2018

Voices of 100%: Atlanta Works Toward Clean Energy for All — Episode 62 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by Marie Donahue and John Farrell | Date: 10 Oct 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0

Across the U.S., over 80 cities have made commitments to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. As the largest such city in the Southeast, the city of Atlanta has been a regional leader in evaluating how to succeed. In our fourth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, Atlanta’s Energy Programs Manager Megan O’Neil speaks with John Farrell about the city’s relationship with its incumbent utility, what mix of renewable and energy efficiency makes sense, and how robust community engagement has helped ensure all residents will access the benefits of renewables and can help shape their city’s energy future.… Read More

Author Archives: John Farrell