Energy

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

Tiny Laboratories of (Energy) Democracy — Episode 171 of Local Energy Rules

John Farrell

November 23, 2022

Host John Farrell is joined by Jesse Gray and David Mendels. They discuss the six provisions in the Municipal Climate Empowerment Plan, state legislation that would enable Massachusetts communities to tackle their clean energy challenges with local solutions and greater READ MORE

Public Power Pt. 6: Alternatives — Episode 170 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

November 9, 2022

John Farrell explains five alternatives to a public power takeover that can still advance a community’s clean energy and environmental justice aims. This is part six of a special series: The Promise and Peril of Publicly-Owned Power. READ MORE

Public Power Pt. 5: The Perils — Episode 169 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

October 26, 2022

Customers of four publicly-owned utilities explain some limitations of the public power model and how they are organizing to increase accountability. This is part five of a special series: The Promise and Peril of Publicly-Owned Power. READ MORE

How Cities Can Make the Most of IRA Dollars — Episode 168 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

October 12, 2022

Lawyer Amy Turner joins John Farrell to explain how cities can use Inflation Reduction Act dollars to advance local goals — and should help their residents do the same. READ MORE

A Successful Transition to Clean Building Energy Requires Collective Action

John Farrell

October 7, 2022

In these comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, ILSR argues that there is no future for gas in Minnesota and emphasizes the need for a collective solution to the collective problem of natural gas use. READ MORE

In Depth

The 2022 Community Power Scorecard

Petitioners Ask Feds to Investigate Utility Abuses of Monopoly Power — Episode 158 of Local Energy Rules

Xcel’s Hosting Capacity Map Is Better, but Needs Improvement Before It’s Useful for Interconnecting Distributed Solar

Recently Posted

Tiny Laboratories of (Energy) Democracy — Episode 171 of Local Energy Rules

Public Power Pt. 6: Alternatives — Episode 170 of Local Energy Rules

Public Power Pt. 5: The Perils — Episode 169 of Local Energy Rules

How Cities Can Make the Most of IRA Dollars — Episode 168 of Local Energy Rules

A Successful Transition to Clean Building Energy Requires Collective Action

How Big Utilities Are Impeding Clean Energy

This report explores how corporate concentration in the energy sector is harming Americans — and what we can do to fight back.

Local Energy Rules Podcast

Sharing powerful stories of successful local renewable energy

Community Power Map

Mapping local renewable energy and how states help or hinder local power.

Community Power Toolkit

Your starting point for building local power for renewable energy.