Resource

3 May 2010

Breaking the Broadband Monopoly

by Christopher Mitchell | Date: 3 May 2010 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 1

ILSR has released the most comprehensive and up-to-date report about publicly owned broadband networks: Breaking the Broadband Monopoly : How Communities Are Building the Networks They Need.

Across the country, hundreds of local governments, public power utilities, non-profits, and cooperatives have built successful and sometimes pioneering telecommunication networks that put community needs first. This report details their successes, lessons learned, and barriers to copying the model.… Read More

3 May 2010

Report: Municipal Energy Financing – Lessons Learned

by John Farrell | Date: 3 May 2010 | posted in: Energy | 0

Twenty states now allow cities and counties to finance energy efficiency retrofits and on-site renewable energy generation and repay the loan with a property tax assessment. Five municipalities launched Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs in the past two years and these programs have spent $37.5 million to help enable close to 2,000 voluntary residential retrofits. Read on to see how these programs have performed and what upcoming municipal energy finance programs should consider.

20 Apr 2010

Report on Model State Composting Policies

by Brenda Platt | Date: 20 Apr 2010 | posted in: Composting, Waste to Wealth | 0

Composting is an important strategy for recycling organic materials that might otherwise be disposed in landfills or incinerators. This April 2010 report, Summary of Select State Composting Regulations, identifies 11 states with notable regulations governing compost facilities. … Read More

19 Apr 2010

Tools for Starting a Local Move Your Money Campaign

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 19 Apr 2010 | posted in: Banking | 2

Is your community organization or local business alliance thinking about launching a public education campaign to encourage people to move their accounts to locally owned banks and credit unions? We have a range of resources to assist you, including help with definitions and identifying local banks, sample flyers, graphs and background articles, examples of local banking campaign materials from around the country, and more. … Read More

12 Apr 2010

Report: Responding to Concerns with Municipal Financing of Energy Improvements

by John Farrell | Date: 12 Apr 2010 | posted in: Energy | 0

As municipal financing for energy improvements (commonly called Property Assessed Clean Energy – PACE) rises in popularity, criticism has also arisen. This short memo responds to the most common concerns with PACE financing. The memo is also provided as a 1-page pdf.

31 Mar 2010

Share of Deposits Held by the Top 5 Banks

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 31 Mar 2010 | posted in: Banking | 0

8 Mar 2010

Bank Concentration by County

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 8 Mar 2010 | posted in: Banking | 0

24 Feb 2010

Listen: John Farrell Explains the Benefits of Decentralized Energy on KBOO

by ILSR | Date: 24 Feb 2010 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Media Coverage | 0

The Obama administration’s energy policy jumps the shark: why nuclear isa bad deal and carbon-captured coal is anything but clean. Senior Research John Farrell discusses this and the smarter strategy of a decentralized renewable energy future with KBOO host Bill Resnick.

The rules we make now will decide our energy future. Listen to the interview here.

22 Feb 2010

Average Consumer Fees by Size of Financial Institution in 2009

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 22 Feb 2010 | posted in: Banking | 1