Energy Resources – Search Results
Page 1 of 8
The 2024 Community Power Scorecard
Communities can do a lot to advance energy democracy, but some tools must be granted by state policy. This annual scorecard from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative surveys a suite of 18 policies that help or hinder local clean energy action.… Read More
Report: Will Long-Term Co-op Contracts Give Way to Affordable Clean Energy?
ILSR’s new report, The Rural Electric Rift, examines the struggle of electric distribution cooperatives and their members to restore local control over electricity purchasing and harness the benefits of affordable clean energy.… Read More
Report: How Local Ownership of Clean Energy Boosts Benefits, Busts Barriers, and Builds Power
ILSR’s new report, Advantage Local: Why Local Energy Ownership Matters, breaks down how locally owned clean energy can maximize economic benefits for households and communities while putting power back in the hands of people.… Read More
The 2022 Community Power Scorecard
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
Report: New Survey Shows How Electric Utilities and Policymakers Are Holding Back Local Solar
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
Report: Implementation of the 30 Million Solar Homes Policy Platform
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
Report: 30 Million Solar Homes Would Create 1.77 Million Jobs, $69 Billion in Energy Savings
A new report finds that deploying distributed solar energy to the equivalent of 30 million American homes would produce significant job-creation and economic benefits while addressing climate change and mitigating racial and income disparities.… Read More
New Report Sheds Light on America’s Monopolized Energy Sector . . . and How We Can Fix It
In this report, we look at how America’s monopoly problem extends into the energy and electricity sector. This report is the latest in a series from ILSR focused on fighting monopoly power.… Read More
Report: Could Existing Water Pipes Replace Dirty Energy Utilities?
This report explores water main geothermal: a novel, affordable way to decarbonize home heating and air conditioning using existing city water mains.… Read More
Report: 47 States Could Meet 100% of Electricity Needs Using In-State Renewables
The third edition of this report asks yet again: if each U.S. state took full advantage of its own renewable energy resources, would it be sufficient to satisfy that state’s electricity consumption? The answer for most states is yes, easily.… Read More
Sparking Grid Savings Starts at Home
This 2020 update to a 2016 report finds that while new technology has made electricity demand response simple and cost-effective, and has opened the opportunity for residential savings, utility implementation of demand response programs is lagging.… Read More
Why Utilities in Minnesota and Other States Need to Plan for More Competition
This report explores the undercounting of customer-sited and non-utility solar in utility distributed resource forecasting. It finds that Xcel Energy’s forecasts for distributed solar in Minnesota are strikingly low.… Read More
Funding, Expertise, Utility Cooperation: Three Things Cities Need to Reach 100% Renewable Energy
This report, written by University of Michigan master’s students in the School for Environment and Sustainability, uses survey results to identify 11 key recommendations city leaders can use to transition to 100% renewable energy.… Read More
Report: Designing Community Solar Programs that Promote Racial and Economic Equity
This white paper, put together by a team of community solar specialists, offers guidance for those working to establish equitable community solar programs. It details 30 policy/program guidelines for municipal utility administrators, policymakers, and advocates of accessible solar for all.… Read More
Report: An Alternative to Electricity Monopolies Enables Communities to Center People and Planet
This report examines community choice energy, a policy giving cities and counties the right to purchase energy on behalf of electricity customers. Enabled in 9 states, community choice agencies are revolutionizing the utility model by offering cheaper, cleaner energy that aligns with local goals.… Read More