In Depth
The 2022 Community Power Scorecard
Maria McCoy
February 24, 2022
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
Petitioners Ask Feds to Investigate Utility Abuses of Monopoly Power — Episode 158 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
June 9, 2022
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guests Howard Crystal and Liz Veazey discuss a recent petition to the Federal Trade Commission and why electric utility practices require federal investigation. READ MORE
Xcel’s Hosting Capacity Map Is Better, but Needs Improvement Before It’s Useful for Interconnecting Distributed Solar
Maria McCoy
April 8, 2022
In these comments filed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, ILSR notes some improvements in Xcel Energy's hosting capacity map and points to issues that require further attention. READ MORE
Recently Posted
Commission Failed Georgians in Nuclear Fiasco — Episode 176 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
February 1, 2023
Patty Durand, candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission, explains how the Commission failed to protect consumers from the Vogtle nuclear power plant, what Durand will do differently, if she is elected, and why her candidacy faced legal challenges. READ MORE
Who Needs Transmission Wires Anyway? — Episode 175 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
January 19, 2023
Dan Juhl develops integrated clean energy projects that combine solar, wind, and/or battery storage. He shares how commercial-scale, hybrid solar and wind systems are a “real match” that can circumvent transmission system concerns. READ MORE
Arizona Public Utility Acts Like For-Profit Peers — Episode 174 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
January 4, 2023
Autumn Johnson talks about Salt River Project: a publicly-owned Arizona utility engaged in some shady behavior. The public’s only accountability measure? Board members who are elected by land-owning customers and punished for their dissension. READ MORE
Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best
December 22, 2022
Minnesota's community solar program reached 848 megawatts in December 2022, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant! READ MORE
Feds Should Collect Better Data for Fairer Markets and Energy Justice
December 21, 2022
Today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance was joined by joined by 24 utility justice, consumer advocate, and environmental organizations in submitting comments urging the Energy Information Administration to incorporate interconnection and utility shutoffs data. READ MORE