Beginning in the late 1970s, a series of Supreme Court cases upended U.S. antitrust laws — laws that were once the linchpin of a comprehensive, democratic check on corporate power. This issue brief traverses the history and argues that Congress must take action to undo these pro-monopoly decisions.… Read More
Communities can do a lot to advance energy democracy, but some of their options depend on state policy. This annual scorecard from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative grades states on whether their policies help or hinder local clean energy action.… Read More
This report examines the transparency practices of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). … Read More
One of the biggest challenges facing America’s towns and cities is leveling the playing field for small businesses. Our new report shows how civic leaders can use the American Rescue Plan to do just that, which will provide communities and local economies with lasting benefits for decades to come. … Read More
A new report shows how electric utilities and policymakers are creating unexpected delays and added costs for solar projects and slowing the growth of local solar, based on our first ever survey of solar developers.… Read More
Amazon is exploiting its position as a gatekeeper to impose steep and growing fees on the small businesses that must rely on its site to reach the online market, our new report finds. Even as these exorbitant fees bankrupt sellers, they are generating huge profits for Amazon, a fact that the tech giant conceals in its financial reports. These profits are not only the spoils of Amazon’s monopoly power. They are the essential fuel that feeds its market-domination strategies.… Read More
Our 2021 annual report highlights the work we’ve done — through on-the-ground technical assistance, in-depth research and analysis, and coalition building with grassroots organizations — to instill racial and economic justice throughout our economy and empower local communities. … Read More
A new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) examines Internet Service Providers’ (ISPs) transparency — or lack thereof — around the Internet service packages they offer. Shopping for Broadband: Failed Federal Policy Creates Murky Marketplace finds that locally-controlled broadband networks are the most transparent around key service details. … Read More
The success of the 30 Million Solar Homes proposal relies not only on the initial passing of legislation through Congress, but also the subsequent implementation of new programs and regulations. This guide aims to address that step in the process: what implementation should look like, who is responsible for critical decisions, and how those decisions are made. … Read More
