National Conference for Media Reform, April 6, 2013 Communities around the country are facing the same problem: The broadband service available to their residents is too slow and too expensive, and incumbent telecom companies have no incentive to improve speeds or reduce prices. Some communities, like the Colorado city of Longmont, have taken matters into their … Read More
Midwest Energy News, April 5, 2013 When a business or homeowner lowers their electricity bill by installing solar panels or wind turbines, do they drive up other customers’ utility bills? That’s the perennial claim made by utilities that oppose policies that would require them to compensate customers for electricity they generate. Most recently in Iowa, utilities … Read More
Alamosa Valley Courier, April 4, 2013 The Boston Tea Party is an iconic event in American History. Unlike today, the citizens of Boston had few options but to express in action their frustration with British Parliament policy. Today, the bulk of “actions” taken in opposition to something are done with a keyboard or touchscreen. This is … Read More
ILSR’s fact sheet is a reliable quick reference guide for policymakers and citizens. As discussion about the telecommunications landscape expands, language about broadband abounds. In order to make informed decisions without stumbling over terminology, ILSR has assembled some basic facts about broadband. This fact sheet is a great reference for anyone who may take up the … Read More
FOX Business, April 2, 2013 Whether they’re shopping at local retailers on Small Business Saturday or feasting on locally sourced pork chops at independent restaurants, American consumers’ interest in supporting local, independent businesses is on the rise. In a 2012 survey by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), 75 percent of business owners surveyed believed public … Read More
As part of the FCC’s Gigabit Cities Challenge, the agency plans to host a series of workshops over the next several months. The workshops will focus on tools communities can use to expand connectivity, changing telecommunications policy, and will present experts from the field. Christopher Mitchell participated in the first workshop on March 26th in Washington, … Read More
Government Technology, April 1, 2013 Great politicians can explain complex issues quickly and simply. That’s what Franklin Delano Roosevelt did on Sept. 21, 1932, when, as a candidate for the presidency, he spoke in Portland, Ore., and addressed a big issue of the time: electrical service and who would provide it — public utilities or private … Read More
Finance & Commerce, April 1, 2013 Bloomington-based TenKSolar is supplying the solar panels for the community solar project run by the Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association. So far, more than 170 panels have been sold in four months. Steve Schmidt teaches a college class on renewable energy and always wanted to install solar panels on his Corcoran … Read More
The Daily Barometer, April 1, 2013 The new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market had its grand opening on March 29. That’s right, Corvallis, we have a Wal-Mart. Despite the known opposition some Corvallis residents have toward the world’s largest retailer, there weren’t any protesters reported at the grand opening. This might have been because campus was soaking up … Read More
