Energy Resources – Search Results
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Video: The Shocking Impact of Boring Energy Policy – CommonBound 2016 Conference
On July 9, John Farrell spoke to a group at the CommonBound 2016 Conference. The conference brought hundreds of leaders together to share “visionary strategies for achieving deep systemic change” in areas such as energy policy and economic justice. In this presentation, John detailed the growth of renewable energy and how new technologies and smart policies … Read More
Presentation: Re-Member-ing the Electric Cooperative
In March of 2016, we published a report on the state of rural electric cooperatives in the current electricity market: Re-Member-ing the Electric Cooperative. Below you will find our newly developed presentation based on this report. Forward and share widely.… Read More
Watch: Beyond Sharing Webinar Recording
Update: Please note that slides 29 and 30 are in error and view our corrected analysis of the federal tax credit expiration. On May 11th, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance hosted a webinar titled “Beyond Sharing.” The webinar was led by John Farrell, the Director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative. The webinar was based on our … Read More
Video: John Farrell Keynote Presentation – Salt Spring Community Energy Conference
ILSR’s John Farrell was the keynote speaker for the Salt Spring Community Energy Group’s 2016 Conference in British Columbia, Canada on Saturday, April 23rd. Following the keynote presentation there were over a dozen different workshops on new energy methods and technologies that can be implemented by homeowners and businesses. John’s plenary illustrated the opportunities that communities such … Read More
Zapped by the Utility: 5 Reasons Raising Fixed Fees is Unfair
Like mine, your eyes probably glaze when you see items like “fuel cost adjustment clause,” but tucked in your monthly electric bill are two big components that matter. One is a fixed amount you pay to be connected to the grid every month. The second is a variable portion is based on what you use. Your … Read More
Watch: Can Energy Democracy Energize the “Good Life” in Nebraska?
The following presentation was given by ILSR’s Director of Democratic Energy John Farrell, this year’s keynote speaker at the Sierra Club of Nebraska’s Annual Event on November 21st, 2015. The presentation illustrates the march towards energy democracy by highlighting the spread of affordable distributed energy resources (such as wind and solar) and the intense pressure it … Read More
100% Renewable Energy: Fact or Fantasy?
What would it take to power the entire U.S. economy on renewable resources alone? Three big things: Only build wind, solar, or hydro power plants after 2020 Reduce energy use compared to business as usual by 40% Electrify everything It’s the last that may be the most complicated, since it means a complete overhaul of way … Read More
Watch: Is Socialism What’s Stopping a Fair Value for Solar?
Complete nonsense. The most socialistic thing I’ve ever heard. That’s just two quotes from a value of solar conversation between ILSR’s John Farrell and Karl Rábago of the Pace Energy and Climate Center that took place online on July 8, 2015. More and more people are installing solar, significantly reducing their purchase of electricity from utility … Read More
Public Rooftop Revolution in Pictures
There are a lot of stories on residential rooftop solar but few if any on what cities are doing to make themselves energy self-reliant by using their own buildings and lands to generate power. In Public Rooftop Revolution, ILSR estimates that mid-sized cities could install as much as 5,000 megawatts of solar—as much as one-quarter of … Read More
Could Solar Shine in a Tucson City-Utility Partnership?
A city in the sunny southwest, Tucson is wondering how it can maximize its use of cost-effective, economy-boosting solar power. Is a partnership with the electric utility, as seen in Minneapolis, the answer? ILSR’s Director of Democratic Energy gave this presentation to several audiences on a recent (delightful) visit to Tucson, Arizona, to explore the dissonance … Read More
Watch: Unveiling the Five Pillars of Energy Democracy
Exciting changes are on the horizon for our century-old utility structure as solar power, energy storage, and electric vehicles open new avenues for utility customers to produce their own power and control their energy use. Utilities are scrambling to remain relevant in this technological firestorm, and energy wonks are envisioning a new business model––Utility 2.0––that keeps … Read More
The Power of Local Renewable Energy (Presentation)
Tailored to Illinois, but explaining the universal benefits of local renewable energy, this presentation was delivered by Director of Democratic Energy John Farrell at the Illinois Renewable Energy Fair on August 24, 2014. The presentation explores the enormous potential of clean, local energy to meet U.S. electricity needs and juice local economies. But what happens if … Read More
Watch: Minnesota’s Value of Solar Webinar
What is “the value of solar” electricity? How can it be used in energy policy? And how does it differ from other policies that govern the deployment of distributed solar power? Listen in to this 30-minute webinar presentation (and 30-minute Q&A) to learn about Minnesota’s recently enacted value of solar policy, how it may work for solar … Read More
The Future of Solar Economics and Policy
Solar power is at a unique place in history. It’s growing rapidly, its price is falling precipitously. Within the next 10 years, it will compete favorably with utilities for electricity sales, on price, and without subsidies. Given its rapid ascent, it might seem silly to talk about change. But the continued expansion of distributed solar power … Read More
Why is an Island Electric Utility Hindering Incredibly Cost-Effective Solar?
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