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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


Public Power Pt. 4: Game Over? — Episode 167 of Local Energy Rules

Public Power Pt. 4: Game Over? — Episode 167 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

September 28, 2022

John Farrell describes three municipalization attempts: Boulder, Minneapolis, and Decorah. Each city failed to form its own utility, but found silver linings in trying. This is part four of a special series: The Promise and Peril of Publicly-Owned Power.READ MORE


Public Power Pt. 3: Ingredients For Success — Episode 166 of Local Energy Rules

Public Power Pt. 3: Ingredients For Success — Episode 166 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

September 14, 2022

John Coyle describes how to form a publicly-owned utility and lists the four ingredients for baking up a public takeover. This is part three in a special series: The Promise and Peril of Publicly-Owned Power.READ MORE


Are Utilities Blocking Rooftop Solar From the Power Grid?

Are Utilities Blocking Rooftop Solar From the Power Grid?

Katie Kienbaum

September 9, 2022

Delays connecting local solar to the electric grid slow the growth of clean energy. We need more data to figure out if utilities are blocking solar on purpose to protect their monopoly power.READ MORE


National Community Solar Programs Tracker

National Community Solar Programs Tracker

Maria McCoy

September 7, 2022

20 states have policies allowing some form of community renewable energy. This quarterly update (2022 Q2) 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


How the Inflation Reduction Act Makes it Easier to Go Solar — and Where it Falls Short

How the Inflation Reduction Act Makes it Easier to Go Solar — and Where it Falls Short

Katie Kienbaum

September 5, 2022

As the government implements the Inflation Reduction Act, funding equitable local solar projects will help maximize the law’s benefits for households and put power back in the hands of people, instead of monopoly energy utilities.READ MORE


Public Power Pt. 2: Community Benefits — Episode 165 of Local Energy Rules

Public Power Pt. 2: Community Benefits — Episode 165 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

August 31, 2022

Ursula Schryver describes the benefits of consumer-owned utility service and Randy Knight reports on the progress that municipalization brought to Winter Park, Fla. This is part two in a special series: The Promise and Peril of Publicly-Owned Power.READ MORE


Washington’s Community Solar Program

Washington’s Community Solar Program

Mckenzie Diep

August 25, 2022

A 2022 bill incentivizes community solar development and prioritizes low-income communities through the creation of a grant-style fund. This post summarizes the policy and compiles Washington community solar resources.READ MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

August 22, 2022

Minnesota's community solar program reached 841 megawatts in August 2022, enough to power more than 100,000 homes each year or about as much capacity as a typical nuclear power plant!READ MORE


Inflation Reduction Act Boosts Local Solar — Episode 164 of Local Energy Rules

Inflation Reduction Act Boosts Local Solar — Episode 164 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

August 19, 2022

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guest Katie Kienbaum discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act will support distributed solar through extended tax credits, a greenhouse gas reduction fund, and other incentives.READ MORE