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Could the Health Benefits of Renewable Energy Cover Your Electric Bill?

Could the Health Benefits of Renewable Energy Cover Your Electric Bill?

Maria McCoy

November 12, 2019

Coal and gas-fired power stations release toxins into the air, increasing rates of asthma, respiratory diseases, and heart attacks. In this post, ILSR estimates the portion of electricity prices covered by the public health benefits of renewable energy alternatives.READ MORE


How Market Power Gives Electric Utilities Political Power

How Market Power Gives Electric Utilities Political Power

John Farrell

November 11, 2019

In the pathway to 100% renewable energy lie electric utilities. Despite some changes to market structure in past decades, most utilities still have enormous market, and political power. How do they wield it, and how does it impact the shift toward cleaner energy?READ MORE


A New Deal for Electric Co-ops: How Members Can Exercise Ownership to Strengthen Democracy — Episode 89 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

A New Deal for Electric Co-ops: How Members Can Exercise Ownership to Strengthen Democracy — Episode 89 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

November 6, 2019

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Liz Veazey, Network Director of We Own It, and Chris Woolery, Residential Energy Coordinator at the MACED. The three discuss a new Rural Electric Co-op Toolkit.READ MORE


Letter Supporting an Accurate Value of Solar

Letter Supporting an Accurate Value of Solar

John Farrell

November 4, 2019

The following letter to regulators in Kentucky shares ILSR's experience with value of solar policy, including the key categories of value to assess, the importance of a utility-independent methodology, the tension between accuracy and usefulness in setting prices, and what to expect from previous exercises in other states.READ MORE


National Community Solar Programs Tracker

National Community Solar Programs Tracker

Maria McCoy

October 31, 2019

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


Voices of 100%: Colorado Town’s Residents and Businesses Join Forces for Clean Energy — Episode 88 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Voices of 100%: Colorado Town's Residents and Businesses Join Forces for Clean Energy — Episode 88 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

Maria McCoy

October 23, 2019

In this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell asks Lissa Ray (climate activist) and Monique DiGiorgio (Managing Director of Local First) about Durango, Colo.’s recent commitment to 100% clean, renewable electricity.READ MORE


Stories of Energy Democracy Told in Taunton

Stories of Energy Democracy Told in Taunton

John Farrell

October 23, 2019

In August 2019, the Director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative visited Taunton, Mass., where the community is hoping their city-owned electric utility will accelerate its progress toward renewable energy. In his presentation, John Farrell shared several powerful stories of what’s possible, including the two key tenets of energy democracy: decentralized eneREAD MORE


Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

Why Minnesota's Community Solar Program is the Best

John Farrell

October 21, 2019

Minnesota's community solar program hit 625 megawatts in October 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


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