In Depth

Report: Will Long-Term Co-op Contracts Give Way to Affordable Clean Energy?

Report: Will Long-Term Co-op Contracts Give Way to Affordable Clean Energy?

Maria McCoy

October 30, 2023

ILSR’s new report, The Rural Electric Rift, examines the struggle of electric distribution cooperatives and their members to restore local control over electricity purchasing and harness the benefits of affordable clean energy.  READ MORE


Recently Posted

Arizona’s High Stakes Utility Election — Episode 205 of Local Energy Rules

Arizona’s High Stakes Utility Election — Episode 205 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

March 13, 2024

Charlie Fisher discusses the upcoming Salt River Project election and how clean energy advocates could flip the public utility's board and reverse anti-solar and anti-democratic policies.  READ MORE


Smarter Rules for Smart Meters — Episode 204 of Local Energy Rules

Smarter Rules for Smart Meters — Episode 204 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

February 28, 2024

Michael Murray explains the many capabilities of smart meters, his critique of a Rhode Island utility proposal to expand advanced metering, and how state and federal regulators can establish best practices for fairness and data access.  READ MORE


Why Utility Execs Hate Distributed Solar

Why Utility Execs Hate Distributed Solar

Maria McCoy

February 21, 2024

In this 30 minute presentation to the Just Solar Coalition, Timothy Den-Herder Thomas and John Farrell explain the benefits of distributed solar, why utility companies try to stifle it, and how this conflict has reared its ugly head in Minnesota.  READ MORE


The Concrete Benefits of Virtual Power Plants — Episode 203 of Local Energy Rules

The Concrete Benefits of Virtual Power Plants — Episode 203 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

February 14, 2024

Chris Rauscher explains the benefits of coordinating distributed energy resources, how residential solar and storage customers have saved their neighbors from blackouts, and why every utility could be offering a virtual power plant program.  READ MORE


10 Years of Minnesota’s Community Solar Program — Episode 202 of Local Energy Rules

10 Years of Minnesota’s Community Solar Program — Episode 202 of Local Energy Rules

Maria McCoy

January 31, 2024

Pouya Najmaie discusses the strengths and weaknesses of Minnesota’s community solar program, its many regulatory and legislative changes over the years, and how utility Xcel Energy has found a new way to try to suppress distributed generation.  READ MORE