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Evaluating the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, Five Years In — Bonus Episode of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Evaluating the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, Five Years In — Bonus Episode of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

October 18, 2019

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Minneapolis City Council member Cam Gordon. Farrell and Gordon, with help from Alice Madden of Community Power, talk about the Minneapolis clean energy partnership on its fifth anniversary.READ MORE


How City Policy Can Reduce Gas Use

How City Policy Can Reduce Gas Use

John Farrell

October 17, 2019

In this webinar, Institute for Local Self-Reliance Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell is joined by Karl Rábago of the Pace Energy and Climate Center to discuss city-level strategies to reduce gas use.READ MORE


ILSR’s Testimony Supports Regulators in Unanimous Rejection of Gas Plant Purchase

ILSR's Testimony Supports Regulators in Unanimous Rejection of Gas Plant Purchase

Maria McCoy

October 16, 2019

On Friday, September 27th, research associate Maria McCoy testified to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Listen to her statement, arguing against Xcel Energy's proposed purchase of a gas plant, in this five minute video.READ MORE


Why Gas Has to Go – And How Cities Can Show it the Door — Episode 87 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Why Gas Has to Go - And How Cities Can Show it the Door — Episode 87 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

October 9, 2019

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Kate Harrison, City Council member for Berkeley, Calif., and Sean Armstrong, Zero Net Energy Designer and Managing Principal at Redwood Energy. The three discuss how Berkeley's gas ban will improve health, save money, and save the climate.READ MORE


Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update – 2019 Q2

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update – 2019 Q2

Maria McCoy

October 2, 2019

6 gigawatts of new power generation capacity came online in the second quarter of 2019 — 15 percent of which from small-scale solar installations — in the latest update from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative.READ MORE


Report Re-release: Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy?

Report Re-release: Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy?

Maria McCoy

October 1, 2019

We have updated our 2016 report "Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy?" with a brand new look. Check it out!READ MORE


Voices of 100%: South Carolina City Tries Green Energy in a Red State – Episode 86 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Voices of 100%: South Carolina City Tries Green Energy in a Red State – Episode 86 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

September 25, 2019

In this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, Mayor Stephen Benjamin discusses the importance of local initiative, taking action on climate in the South, and how to ensure that a clean energy transition benefits everyone.READ MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

September 16, 2019

Minnesota's community solar program hit 613 megawatts in September 2019, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about half as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant!READ MORE


From the Archive: South Miami, a Bright Spot for Solar in the Sunshine State – Episode 85 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

From the Archive: South Miami, a Bright Spot for Solar in the Sunshine State – Episode 85 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

September 11, 2019

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, we revisit our 2018 interview with South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard – who recently used his own solar and storage to go off of the grid for a week. Could distributed solar be the mechanism for a more resilient electric grid?READ MORE


Do Solar Salespeople Oversell Savings?

Do Solar Salespeople Oversell Savings?

Maria McCoy

September 6, 2019

If solar developers overestimate future electricity prices, some of the predicted savings of a solar system never materialize. This article evaluates the evidence for, and consequences of, these overestimations.READ MORE


Voices of 100%: Will Oklahoma Cities Follow Norman’s Lead to Renewable Energy? — Episode 84 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Voices of 100%: Will Oklahoma Cities Follow Norman’s Lead to Renewable Energy? — Episode 84 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

August 28, 2019

In this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, Mayor Breea Clark explains what drove Norman, Okla., to make the 100% renewable pledge and its plans to tackle the ambitious goal.READ MORE


The Environment, The Economy, and Equity – Episode 83 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The Environment, The Economy, and Equity – Episode 83 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

August 14, 2019

On this rebroadcast of the Building Local Power podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Denise Fairchild. The two discuss energy democracy within the context of a book she co-edited, titled "Energy Democracy: Advancing Equity in Clean Energy Solutions."READ MORE


Voices of 100%: Cleveland Commits to Clean and Equitable Energy – Episode 82 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Voices of 100%: Cleveland Commits to Clean and Equitable Energy – Episode 82 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

July 31, 2019

For this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell talks with Jocelyn Travis, Campaign Manager for the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign in Cleveland. The two met in Milwaukee at the RE-AMP annual meeting to discuss equity in the clean eREAD MORE


Customers Pay When Big Utilities Make Big Errors In Electricity Forecasts

Customers Pay When Big Utilities Make Big Errors In Electricity Forecasts

Alden Aaberg

July 25, 2019

This investigation of electric utility forecasts finds that on average, utilities over-predict electricity demand by 17% over three years. These over-predictions help utilities get permission to build more power plants, which may not be necessary for the actual, deflated electricity demand.READ MORE


Lights Out? Not for This Michigan City – Episode 81 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Lights Out? Not for This Michigan City – Episode 81 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

July 17, 2019

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Maria Thomas, Outreach and Organizing Coordinator for Soulardarity. The two discussed energy democracy, and Soulardarity’s work in Highland Park, live in Milwaukee at the RE-AMP annual meeting.READ MORE