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Minneapolis Health Department Splits the Bill with Green Investors — Episode 121 of Local Energy Rules

Minneapolis Health Department Splits the Bill with Green Investors — Episode 121 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

January 13, 2021

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell and guest Patrick Hanlon discuss Green Cost Share: a program that promotes public health by matching investments in solar and energy efficiency projects.READ MORE


Model Ordinances to Support Ground-Mounted Distributed Solar

Model Ordinances to Support Ground-Mounted Distributed Solar

Lilli Ambort

January 6, 2021

This post explores how a community can put together a model solar ordinance. One example is Stearns County, Minn., whose solar ordinance protects pollinator habitat and ensures benefits to the wider community.READ MORE


A Portland Fund, Collected from Corporations, Finances Community Benefits — Episode 120 of Local Energy Rules

A Portland Fund, Collected from Corporations, Finances Community Benefits — Episode 120 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

December 30, 2020

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jaimes Valdez about the Portland Clean Energy Fund: a climate action fund for racial and social justice.READ MORE


Let’s Talk About Solar, Equity, and Monopoly Power in 2021

Let’s Talk About Solar, Equity, and Monopoly Power in 2021

John Farrell

December 22, 2020

2020 demonstrated that distributed solar isn’t just economically competitive or a superior job creator, it’s better for everyone. In this year-end post, Energy Democracy Initiative Director John Farrell describes where that lesson should take advocates in 2021.READ MORE


New Power Generation Quarterly: 2020 Q3

New Power Generation Quarterly: 2020 Q3

Maria McCoy

December 18, 2020

Renewables are bouncing back after a COVID-19 pandemic punch; in the third quarter of 2020, solar comprised a near-record 60 percent of new power generation capacity. Here's the latest update from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative.READ MORE


In Seattle, Corporations Must Pay Their Fair Share to Support Climate Justice — Episode 119 of Local Energy Rules

In Seattle, Corporations Must Pay Their Fair Share to Support Climate Justice — Episode 119 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

December 16, 2020

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jill Mangaliman and Abigail Juaner about Jumpstart Seattle: a corporate payroll tax that will fund housing and Green New Deal initiatives.READ MORE


National Community Solar Programs Tracker

National Community Solar Programs Tracker

Maria McCoy

December 9, 2020

16 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2020 Q3) shows the capacity built in states with most active programs: Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.READ MORE


A Solar Settlement for the Good of the Grid — Episode 118 of Local Energy Rules

A Solar Settlement for the Good of the Grid — Episode 118 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

December 2, 2020

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell and Vote Solar’s Thad Culley discuss a net metering settlement underway in the Carolinas: a compromise benefitting the utility, customer-generators, and the electric grid.READ MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

December 1, 2020

Minnesota's community solar program hit 757 megawatts in November 2020, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant!READ MORE


Voices of 100%: Louisville’s Clean Energy Pledge Takes On Multiple Crises — Episode 117 of Local Energy Rules

Voices of 100%: Louisville’s Clean Energy Pledge Takes On Multiple Crises — Episode 117 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

November 18, 2020

For this Voices of 100% episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell talks with Brandon Coan and Gretchen Milliken about Louisville, Ky.'s 100% renewable pledge and how it intersects with the fight for racial justice.READ MORE


The Other 2020 Elections: Communities Put Clean Energy/Climate on the Ballot

The Other 2020 Elections: Communities Put Clean Energy/Climate on the Ballot

John Farrell

November 11, 2020

In the 2020 election, several communities had clean energy on the ballot as well as candidates for President, Congress, and state and local races. Here’s a brief overview several ballot measures illustrating how cities are moving at a rapid pace, creating new funding to support local clean energy, and how cREAD MORE


Community Power Opportunity for Rural Residents

Community Power Opportunity for Rural Residents

Maria McCoy

November 9, 2020

In this 10 minute presentation for the Radically Rural Summit, John Farrell explains how community choice aggregation lets cities advance local priorities and affordable electricity.READ MORE


The Post-Election Potential for a 30 Million Solar Home Stimulus — Episode 116 of Local Energy Rules

The Post-Election Potential for a 30 Million Solar Home Stimulus — Episode 116 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

November 4, 2020

For this post-Election Day episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, John Farrell and Katie Kienbaum discuss the intersection between federal policy and 30 Million Solar Rooftops: a vision for equitable economic recovery built on climate protection and energy democracy.READ MORE


ILSR’s John Farrell Presents at the National Solar Congress

ILSR's John Farrell Presents at the National Solar Congress

Maria McCoy

October 29, 2020

In this video, John Farrell and Shalanda Baker present their proposal for 30 Million Solar Rooftops at the National Solar Congress.READ MORE


Berkeley Puts Equitable Climate Action on the Ballot — Episode 115 of Local Energy Rules

Berkeley Puts Equitable Climate Action on the Ballot — Episode 115 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

October 21, 2020

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guest Ben Paulos discuss how voting yes to a climate equity action fund (Measure HH) will advance Berkeley’s zero carbon goal — all while advancing energy equity.READ MORE