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
New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q1
Maria McCoy
June 29, 2022
Only 6.4 gigawatts of electricity generation capacity went online in the first quarter of 2021. Solar generation facilities comprised 3.7 of those 6.4 gigawatts. Here's the latest update from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative. READ MORE
Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best
June 27, 2022
Minnesota's community solar program reached 837 megawatts in June 2022, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant! READ MORE
How Colorado Electric Customers Are Leading a Co-op's Clean Energy Journey — Episode 159 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
June 22, 2022
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guest Bryan Hannegan discuss how cultural change, led by the customers, pushed Holy Cross Energy to offer innovative programs in its transition to 100 percent renewable energy. READ MORE
National Community Solar Programs Tracker
Maria McCoy
June 16, 2022
20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2022 Q1) shows the capacity built in five states: Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory. READ MORE
A Solar Policy Shows How Solar Protects Households From High Gas Prices
June 14, 2022
State "value of solar" policies, as in Minnesota, create an incentive to install more solar energy in response to high natural gas prices and reduce long-term impacts on electricity customers. READ MORE