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

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

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

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

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

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


Regulators as Referees When Utilities and Customers Clash — Episode 173 of Local Energy Rules

Regulators as Referees When Utilities and Customers Clash — Episode 173 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

December 21, 2022

Ted Thomas, former chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, discusses access, fairness, cost shifts, utility monopolies, and innovation in the electricity sector.READ MORE


New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q3

New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q3

Maria McCoy

December 19, 2022

U.S. developers installed 5.8 gigawatts of electric generation capacity in the third quarter of 2022: one third small solar (setting yet another quarterly record), one third large solar, and the final third split between fossil gas and wind generation resources.READ MORE


National Community Solar Programs Tracker

National Community Solar Programs Tracker

Maria McCoy

December 13, 2022

20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2022 Q3) shows the capacity built in six states: Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. It focuses on programs in investor-owned utility service territory.READ MORE


Shining Up Sacramento’s Lackluster Public Utility — Episode 172 of Local Energy Rules

Shining Up Sacramento’s Lackluster Public Utility — Episode 172 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

December 7, 2022

Derek Cressman and Fatima Malik, who both ran for seats on the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) board, describe the evolution of SMUD, how the public utility is failing its customers, and share their proposed solutions.READ MORE


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

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 local funding.READ MORE


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

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

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

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

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


New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q2

New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q2

Maria McCoy

October 3, 2022

10 gigawatts of new power generation capacity went online in the second quarter of 2022. Most of the generation capacity buildout this quarter came from renewable resources, including record small solar installation, but 39 percent was from gas plant construction.READ MORE