Citizen-sponsored ballot initiatives frequently demand progress on renewable energy implementation (and have for years), oftentimes when state legislatures show little to no political will to increase locally-owned solar or wind energy. In 2016, more states than ever before placed items on their ballots to change the energy landscape. Sponsored by citizen groups, legislators, and (sometimes) energy industry giants, these initiatives … Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: Solar energy on the farm in Iowa. Large-scale solar killing solar energy bill in Maine. Recommendations to the Nevada state legislature. New report shows that solar valuation remains a sticking point between utilities and everyone else. Featured Stories Report: Engaging members key for co-ops to meet energy challenges by Frank … Read More
Update: Please note that slides 29 and 30 are in error and view our corrected analysis of the federal tax credit expiration. On May 11th, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance hosted a webinar titled “Beyond Sharing.” The webinar was led by John Farrell, the Director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative. The webinar was based on our … Read More
Net metering is a common rule for the electricity system in nearly every state, allowing folks who generate their own electricity to get a fair credit on their bill for what they generate. But there’s more to the concept that a single person with solar on their rooftop, from cities wanting to offset energy use across … Read More
ILSR’s John Farrell was the keynote speaker for the Salt Spring Community Energy Group’s 2016 Conference in British Columbia, Canada on Saturday, April 23rd. Following the keynote presentation there were over a dozen different workshops on new energy methods and technologies that can be implemented by homeowners and businesses. John’s plenary illustrated the opportunities that communities such … Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: Arizona’s new dueling ballots initiatives are scrapped (for now). Yet more arguments for cities to lead the way on energy transformation. Massachusetts raises it’s net metering cap. Featured Stories: Rooftop solar cease-fire takes ballot measures off table for now by Ryan Randazzo and Mary Jo Pitzi, AZ Central Did FERC … Read More
In conjunction with our recently released report: Beyond Sharing – How Communities Can Take Ownership of Renewable Power, we are re-releasing a number of podcasts which feature renewable energy projects with innovative community-owned energy structures. These pertinent podcasts prove that community-owned renewable energy projects are the way to move towards Energy Democracy.… Read More
This week in Energy Democracy: The story of a Microgrid in Brooklyn, learning how ComEdison took aim at a solar power law in Chicago, and, finally, another week, another set of ballot initiatives on the solar energy debate. Featured Stories: Sharply higher rooftop solar potential increases potential for energy self-reliance by John Farrell, CleanTechnica A Microgrid … Read More
In April of 2016, the Scientific American cited our report on the benefits of microgrids for renewable energy arrays and community-based renewable energy. This article details a microgrid pilot program in Brooklyn, New York and the way that it is enabling a low-cost switch to renewables.… Read More
