Utilities Aren’t Telling the Whole Truth About Solar Costs
Electric utilities recently admitted that they often misrepresent the cost of solar energy to serve their own profit interests.… Read More
National Community Solar Programs Tracker
20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2023 Q1) shows the capacity built in seven states: Colo., Ill., Mass., Md., Minn., N.J., and N.Y. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.… Read More
Report: How Local Ownership of Clean Energy Boosts Benefits, Busts Barriers, and Builds Power
ILSR’s new report, Advantage Local: Why Local Energy Ownership Matters, breaks down how locally owned clean energy can maximize economic benefits for households and communities while putting power back in the hands of people.… Read More
StarTribune: Utility Lobbying Violates Ratepayers’ Free Speech
In this commentary from the Minneapolis StarTribune, John Farrell makes a case against monopoly utilities using customer funds for political lobbying. Compelling captive customers to pay for political speech is a violation of their first amendment right, says Farrell.… Read More
National Community Solar Programs Tracker: 2022 Q4
20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2022 Q4) shows the capacity built in seven states: Colo., Ill., Mass., Md., Minn., N.J., and N.Y. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.… Read More
Why is Connecting Clean Energy to the Grid So Hard?
A terrific Brad Plumer New York Times article highlights the barriers to connecting renewable energy to the grid. This post explains WHY these barriers exist, and how we can overcome them.… Read More
Feds Should Collect Better Data for Fairer Markets and Energy Justice
Today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance was joined by joined by 24 utility justice, consumer advocate, and environmental organizations in submitting comments urging the Energy Information Administration to incorporate interconnection and utility shutoffs data.… Read More
National Community Solar Programs Tracker: 2022 Q3
20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2022 Q3) shows the capacity built in six states: Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.… Read More
Tiny Laboratories of (Energy) Democracy — Episode 171 of Local Energy Rules
Host John Farrell is joined by Jesse Gray and David Mendels. They discuss the six provisions in the Municipal Climate Empowerment Plan, state legislation that would enable Massachusetts communities to tackle their clean energy challenges with local solutions and greater local funding.… Read More