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Minnesota Utility Tees Up Programs to Support an Electric Vehicle Future

Minnesota Utility Tees Up Programs to Support an Electric Vehicle Future

John Farrell

January 23, 2019

In a filing late last year, a Minnesota electric utility put forward two new electric vehicle charging pilots as part of a suite of new policy tools to encourage driving electric. ILSR applauds the efforts, and offers a few suggestions.READ MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

January 17, 2019

Minnesota's community solar program tops 500 megawatts in January 2019, nearly half as much capacity as a nuclear power plant!READ MORE


Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update — 2018 Q3

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Quarterly Update — 2018 Q3

Marie Donahue

January 16, 2019

Roughly 5 gigawatts of new power generation capacity came online during the third quarter of 2018, as illustrated in a new quarterly update from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative. Our updated chart of new power plant capacity illustrates how growth in natural gas capacity slowed, while new distributed solar and wind saw steady growth.READ MORE


ILSR’s Top 10 Local Energy Posts of 2018

ILSR's Top 10 Local Energy Posts of 2018

John Farrell

January 11, 2019

What did our readers and listeners like best from our Energy Democracy program? Podcasts and solar and storage, oh my!READ MORE


Webinar: Waste Incineration: A Dirty Secret in How States Define Renewable Energy

Webinar: Waste Incineration: A Dirty Secret in How States Define Renewable Energy

Marie Donahue

January 10, 2019

In a recent webinar, ILSR research associate Marie Donahue shared findings from our report, Waste Incineration: A Dirty Secret in How States Define Renewable Energy, highlighting why classifying incineration as a “renewable" form of energy is problematic. Allies from GAIA, a global anti-incineration network, and the national Energy Justice Network also presented.READ MORE


A ‘Year of 100’ for Local, Renewable Energy in 2018 — Episode 67 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

A 'Year of 100' for Local, Renewable Energy in 2018 — Episode 67 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Marie Donahue

December 31, 2018

In 2018, numerous states, utilities, and cities made big resolutions to shift to 100 percent clean energy. In a special New Year’s episode of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell and Marie Donahue from ILSR’s Energy Democracy team discuss their take on this “Year of 100.” The two recap the year’s most notable clean energy commitments and what’s on the horizon for local, renewable energy in 2019.READ MORE


Good Public Policy Key to Building a Renewable-Friendly Utility

Good Public Policy Key to Building a Renewable-Friendly Utility

John Farrell

December 19, 2018

How do you build a pro-climate electric utility like Xcel Energy? Here's a helpful timelineREAD MORE


Two Rural Electric Cooperatives Overcome Barriers to Clean, Local Energy — Episode 66 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Two Rural Electric Cooperatives Overcome Barriers to Clean, Local Energy — Episode 66 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

John Farrell

December 13, 2018

In our latest Local Energy Rules podcast, John Farrell joins leaders from Farmers Electric Cooperative in Iowa and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico, to discuss how rural areas can source their power locally and renewably. Rural electric co-op leaders Warren McKenna and Luis Reyes share from experience how local renewable energy provides win-wins for co-ops, member-owners, and their local economy.READ MORE


Three Questions about Xcel Energy’s Landmark Low-Carbon Announcement

Three Questions about Xcel Energy's Landmark Low-Carbon Announcement

John Farrell

December 5, 2018

I join with clean energy advocates across the country in celebrating Xcel Energy's announcement yesterday that it will reduce carbon emissions in its electricity generation by 80% from 2005 to 2030, and to zero by 2050. However, I have three questions about whether the company's actions will match the words.READ MORE


ILSR Submits Critique of Xcel Energy’s Value of Solar Calculation to Minnesota Regulators

ILSR Submits Critique of Xcel Energy’s Value of Solar Calculation to Minnesota Regulators

Marie Donahue

December 3, 2018

In November, ILSR submitted joint comments with Community Power and Cooperative Energy Futures to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commision expressing concerns about Xcel Energy’s 2019 Value of Solar calculation. The comments outline issues with the company’s assumptions and ways to improve them.READ MORE


Voices of 100%: Abita Springs Fights for Community Solar in Louisiana — Episode 65 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Voices of 100%: Abita Springs Fights for Community Solar in Louisiana — Episode 65 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Marie Donahue

November 19, 2018

Nearly 100 U.S. cities of different sizes have made formal commitments to 100 percent renewable energy. In our sixth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, we feature the small town of Abita Springs, the first city in Louisiana to set such a goal. LeAnn Magee, who chairs the grassroots, volunteer-led Abita Committee for Energy Sustainability that helped pass the town’s resolution, speaks with co-director of ILSR and Energy Democracy initiative director John Farrell about the motivations for and approach to Abita Springs’ commitment — starting with municipal buildings and advocating for community solar.READ MORE


Solar Co-ops Support Clean Energy Advances in D.C. — Episode 64 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Solar Co-ops Support Clean Energy Advances in D.C. — Episode 64 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

John Farrell

November 13, 2018

How does a growing, national nonprofit organization help homeowners complete the circle between clean energy ownership and policy advocacy? ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell talks with Anya Schoolman of Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in this October 2018 recording about two major clean energy policies before the Washington, D.C., city council. SUN's solar co-op model has spread to 10 states, and builds the constituency for clean energy policy.READ MORE


How Cities Can Fund Their 100% Renewable Ambitions

How Cities Can Fund Their 100% Renewable Ambitions

John Farrell

November 8, 2018

We're inspired by the passage of the Portland Clean Energy Initiative this week, a ballot measure that will now provide $30 million per year for the city's clean energy and climate work. Even better, the funds will target local energy deployment that lifts up low-income folks and people of color with energy savings and solar energy, as well as jobs installing these cost-saving measures. But there are other tools more readily at a city's disposal for funding climate work.READ MORE


How Did Renewable Energy Fare at the Ballot Box? (2018 Election Edition)

How Did Renewable Energy Fare at the Ballot Box? (2018 Election Edition)

John Farrell

November 7, 2018

Several clean energy measures were on the ballot in state and local elections this November. The results of state ballot measures were mixed, but voters in Portland, Ore., won handily at creating a fund for equitable, local clean energy investments.READ MORE


ILSR’s Community Power Map Gets a Facelift

ILSR’s Community Power Map Gets a Facelift

John Farrell

November 5, 2018

How do states help or hinder local progress toward renewable energy? ILSR’s Community Power Map illustrates the ways, with an interactive interface that received a refresh this week. The companion to the annual Community Power Scorecard, the map highlights state policies like community solar and community choice energy that enable local clean energy deployment. It also shows the impacts of those policies by listing where projects have been developed, where communities have made 100% renewable energy commitments, and where communities have taken charge of their energy systems.READ MORE