Few communities have more effectively practiced the concept of energy self-reliance than Boulder. Citizens taxed themselves to fund energy savings improvements that reduced carbon emissions, the city enacted "SmartRegs" requiring landlords to meet energy efficiency criteria or lose their rental licenses, and citizens have overcome massive utility spending to pass three referenda to approve the city's move to a city-owned electric company (see stories below). Listen to several podcasts with Boulder leaders and read our coverage of this Colorado city's struggle to take charge of its energy future.
Photo Credit: By Eddyl [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons.
ILSR Podcasts on Boulder, Colorado's Energy Future
Voices of 100%: Boulder Takes Bold Steps to Support Local Renewable Energy — Episode 71 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by Marie Donahue
March 6th, 2019
Over 100 U.S. cities have now set goals to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. In a new episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we feature the city of Boulder, Colo., and the strategies it is using to make its ambitious local, clean energy goal a reality.EXPLORE...
Colorado State Senator Steve Fenberg on Local Power Versus Corporate Power (Episode 39)
Written by Nick Stumo-Langer
February 8th, 2018
Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) talks with John Farrell about his history as a renewable energy activist and local control advocate and how he translates that work into his role in the state legislature.EXPLORE...
Boulder County Incentive Program Drives Adoption of Two 'Sexy Electrics': Solar and Electric Cars -- Episode 47 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by Karlee Weinmann
June 19th, 2017
The Boulder County program's financial benefits for the community far outpaced its costs, Brad Smith, the county’s Sustainability Outreach and Education Specialist, recently told ILSR’s John Farrell. The county spent just $650 on marketing and outreach, a minuscule price for the gains it has seen.EXPLORE...
How Can Communities Leverage a Better Energy Future? – Episode 17 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by John Farrell
March 6th, 2014
We spoke with New Era Colorado executive director Stephen Fenberg about the grassroots campaign to fight Xcel Energy and build a better energy future.EXPLORE...
Envisioning An Innovative Local Electric Utility – Episode 15 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by John Farrell
February 6th, 2014
Listen in to the podcast to hear Ken Regelson describe how the remarkable results of Boulder’s citizen-driven energy model have given them power to stand up to the incumbent electric monopoly with a vision for a 21st century clean energy system.EXPLORE...
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Written by Maria McCoy
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Watch John Farrell's 2021 Empower Hour presentation on franchise agreements, the value of solar, and other strategies to wring clean energy opportunities out of monopoly utility companies.READ MORE
Voices of 100%: Boulder Takes Bold Steps to Support Local Renewable Energy — Episode 71 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by Marie Donahue
March 6th, 2019
Over 100 U.S. cities have now set goals to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. In a new episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we feature the city of Boulder, Colo., and the strategies it is using to make its ambitious local, clean energy goal a reality.READ MORE
Colorado State Senator Steve Fenberg on Local Power Versus Corporate Power (Episode 39)
Written by Nick Stumo-Langer
February 8th, 2018
Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) talks with John Farrell about his history as a renewable energy activist and local control advocate and how he translates that work into his role in the state legislature.READ MORE
Boulder Voters Say (Again): "We'll Lead Movement to Energy Democracy"
Written by John Farrell
November 21st, 2017
Boulder County Incentive Program Drives Adoption of Two 'Sexy Electrics': Solar and Electric Cars -- Episode 47 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by Karlee Weinmann
June 19th, 2017
The Boulder County program's financial benefits for the community far outpaced its costs, Brad Smith, the county’s Sustainability Outreach and Education Specialist, recently told ILSR’s John Farrell. The county spent just $650 on marketing and outreach, a minuscule price for the gains it has seen.READ MORE
How Can Communities Leverage a Better Energy Future? – Episode 17 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by John Farrell
March 6th, 2014
We spoke with New Era Colorado executive director Stephen Fenberg about the grassroots campaign to fight Xcel Energy and build a better energy future.READ MORE
Envisioning An Innovative Local Electric Utility – Episode 15 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by John Farrell
February 6th, 2014
Listen in to the podcast to hear Ken Regelson describe how the remarkable results of Boulder’s citizen-driven energy model have given them power to stand up to the incumbent electric monopoly with a vision for a 21st century clean energy system.READ MORE
Public Power Means Local Control
Written by John Farrell
October 28th, 2013
In an unexpected move, the CEO of the American Public Power Association writes in to the Boulder Daily Camera to defend publicly-owned utilities against the investor-owned utility's attacks during a campaign by local citizens to take over the incumbent electric utility.READ MORE
Watch: Why Coal and Nuclear (Baseload) Are Not Compatible with a Renewable Future
Written by John Farrell
October 16th, 2013
As renewable energy grows, the grid needs to grow more flexible to accommodate variations in the wind and sun. This video explains the limitations of "baseload" nuclear and coal power plants to work alongside large amounts of clean power.READ MORE
A "shot across the bow" for Real. Local. Power.
Written by John Farrell
September 5th, 2013
Two years ago, Boulder citizens voted to take over the electric utility but the incumbent monopoly is fighting back with a ballot initiative to cut off the localization effort at the knees. Local activists started a crowdfunding campaign to push back against the incumbent's financial advantage.READ MORE
Texas Muni Utility Explains How They Are Already 40% Renewable
Written by John Farrell
June 11th, 2013
The municipal utility serving Denton, Texas, has already achieved 40% renewable energy. Their general manager presented to the Boulder, Colo., city council in 2013 as inspiration for their pursuit of a city-owned utility.READ MORE
Susan Osborne and Boulder's Clean Energy Takeover - Episode 5 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
Written by John Farrell
March 22nd, 2013
In this episode of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell and Wade Underwood talk with Susan Osborne, the former Mayor of Boulder, CO, about that city’s effort to take control of its energy future.READ MORE
Watch: Boulder Mayor Tells Minneapolis How They Sought Clean Energy Options
Written by John Farrell
October 1st, 2012
In this video, Mayor Susan Osborne of Boulder, Colo., presents to an audience in Minneapolis, Minn., about why her city opted to take over the electric company, after years of futile negotiations for more local renewable energy.READ MORE
John Farrell Presents on Local Energy Options for Minneapolis
Written by John Farrell
September 20th, 2012
This presentation explores the potential for a city to leverage expiring franchise contracts with its utility companies to push for a cleaner, more local energy future.READ MORE