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

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

John Farrell

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

John Farrell

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

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

Commission Failed Georgians in Nuclear Fiasco — Episode 176 of Local Energy Rules

Who Needs Transmission Wires Anyway? — Episode 175 of Local Energy Rules

Arizona Public Utility Acts Like For-Profit Peers — Episode 174 of Local Energy Rules

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

Feds Should Collect Better Data for Fairer Markets and Energy Justice

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.