SaveTheInternet.com, May 17, 2012 True or false: The fastest broadband connections in the country come from Comcast, Time Warner Cable and other big telecom companies. The answer: A big, fat FALSE. A new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) shows that local governments build the fastest, most innovative broadband networks in the country. “Broadband … Read More
Weekday Show – KOUW Radio, May 8, 2012 ILSR’s broadband program director, Christopher Mitchell, is interviewed on Seattle’s KUOW radio about the city of Seattle decision to back off of their public broadband program. The City of Seattle quietly pulled the plug last week on an ambitious plan to build a city–sponsored broadband network. In doing … Read More
Nation’s Cities Weekly, May 7, 2012 Some of the fastest broadband networks are being built by local governments, according to a recent report titled “Broadband at the Speed of Light” from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and the Benton Foundation. Providing service to less populated areas can prove to be unprofitable for the private sector, so … Read More
BoingBoing.net, May 4, 2012 Christopher sez, “We just released a 90 second animated video that explains why communities build their own broadband networks, often in competition with big cable. For those who want all the details, we just released a massive 75 page white paper examining 3 community fiber networks in depth – Chattanooga, Tennessee; Lafayette, … Read More
Plastics Today, April 27, 2012 A new study published by the Journal of Cleaner Production has attempted to evaluate the sustainability of availability of bioplastics based on criteria from 12 principles compiled by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative. The study, “Sustainability of bio-based plastics: general comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement,” used criteria including the pesticide use, use … Read More
IntelligentUtility.com, April 26, 2012 Yesterday, I suggested that you meet John Farrell, who directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. He focuses on energy policies that expand the benefits of local ownership of distributed generation, particularly renewable energy. That column, “Power Utilities’ Morphing Future,” got plenty of thoughtful response, … Read More
In These Times. April 26, 2012 “Congress created this manufactured crisis…, and Congress must solve this,” declared Sally Davidow, spokeswoman for the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), which has resisted congressional efforts to curtail USPS service and eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs. This week, Congress took a step toward solving the USPS’ problems—but postal workers’ … Read More
Advertising Age, April 23, 2012 After years of leading the sustainability charge for much of the retail world and its supplier base, Wal-Mart Stores is finding that progress can be slow, even though it commands the most purchasing clout in the world. Walmart’s annual Sustainability Report, released last week, highlighted progress in waste reduction and renewable … Read More
U.S. News & World Report, April 20, 2012 Walmart works hard to show off its green side, but environmental activists have been slamming the corporation for a litany of sins against Mother Nature—emitting millions of tons of CO2, encouraging waste by selling low-quality goods, and building warehouse-sized stores…. This week, the largest corporation in America itemized … Read More
