Why is an Island Electric Utility Hindering Incredibly Cost-Effective Solar?

Date: 23 May 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Northern Mariana Islands are one of several island U.S. territories, lying three-quarters of the way from Hawai’i to the Philippines. Like most islands, their electricity supply has been almost entirely supplied by diesel-fueled generators, at enormous cost. So why have islanders in the Marianas – such as the residents of Saipan – been struggling to … Read More

Midwest Solar Market: Hot or Not?

Date: 19 May 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Is solar ready to boom in the Midwest, or does poor policy still stand in the way? This presentation by Institute for Local Self-Reliance Director of Democratic Energy John Farrell to the Midwest Solar Expo on May 16, 2014, explores the potential, the economics, and the policy needed to help solar power the Midwest. Download the … Read More

A Deep Dive on Value of Solar and the Future of Solar Energy – Episode 22 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Date: 15 May 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

“Utility regulation and rates is a contact sport,” says Karl Rabago, and that makes the implementation of a new “value of solar” policy complex. Will distributed solar grow better with a transparent, value-based contract price? How does it differ from net metering? Is Minnesota’s law a precedent to follow? Prepare yourself for a deep dive in … Read More

Stacy Mitchell on Local Bites Podcast (Audio)

Date: 2 May 2014 | posted in: Banking, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR’s Stacy Mitchell is interviewed on the Local Bites Podcast. She lays out the evidence against the growing consolidation of economic power in the hands of a few global corporations and exposes the policy decisions that have led us down this path. She highlights several promising initiatives from the growing localization movement, and outlines the key components of a ‘localist policy agenda’. … Read More

One City Utility is Carbon Neutral, Today – Episode 21 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Date: 1 May 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

It’s one thing to own your utility and have a commitment to renewable energy, but it’s another thing to deliver. The municipal utility in Palo Alto, CA, set an ambitious target of 33% renewable energy by 2015 and to ultimately deliver a carbon neutral electricity supply. They will reach 48% renewable power in 2017 and met … Read More

Community Solar Gardens Sprouting in Minnesota

Date: 22 Apr 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 3 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On April 7, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission resoundingly rejected (click the link for an annotated ruling) a severely lacking community solar gardens proposal from Xcel Energy and required substantial improvements for the utility’s revised filing. The regulatory smack-down means a promising community solar market for Minnesota (scroll down for the infographic version).     The … Read More

The Power of the Collective Energy Purchasing – Episode 20 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Date: 17 Apr 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

“We can’t do it as an individual, But four hundred communities aggregating and asking for local wind power and solar power – that’s really powerful.” Oak Park, IL, is one of hundreds of Illinois towns using their authority to buy electricity in bulk on behalf of its residential and small business customers. So far, most communities … Read More

Understanding the Small Business Credit Crunch

Date: 16 Apr 2014 | posted in: Banking, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Even as their big competitors are awash in capital, many locally owned businesses are struggling to secure the financing they need to grow. This analysis finds that, since 2000, bank lending to large businesses is up 36 percent, while small business loan volume has fallen 14 percent and “micro” business loans — those under $100,000 — have plummeted 33 percent.… Read More

Change in Volume of Bank Loans to Businesses, by Loan Size, 2000-2012

Date: 15 Apr 2014 | posted in: Banking, Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Since 2000, the overall volume of business lending per capita at banks has grown by 26 percent, but this expansion has entirely benefited large businesses. Small business loan volume at banks is down 14 percent and micro business loan volume is down 33 percent. … Read More

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