coal

19 Apr 2018

Of New Power Generation, How Much is on the Roof? Annual Update — 2017

by Marie Donahue and John Farrell | Date: 19 Apr 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

The U.S. experienced relatively sluggish gains in total new power plant capacity in 2017, when compared to 2016, but it also saw another, more positive outcome: a notable surge in distributed solar. Using the latest available national data on power generation, this most recent look at data on annual and quarterly electricity generation nationwide from the Energy Democracy Initiative at ILSR illustrates how small-scale, distributed solar energy stacks up against its big, fossil fuel and utility-scale renewable energy competitors.… Read More

24 Aug 2017

Dumb and Dumber: Looking Beyond the Department of Energy’s Flawed “Baseload” Study

by John Farrell | Date: 24 Aug 2017 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy commissioned a study purportedly about grid reliability. In reality, it’s more likely the study is a fishing expedition searching for ways to buttress fossil fuel contributors to and allies of the Trump administration — folks squeezed by competition from less costly wind and solar power.… Read More

9 Nov 2016

As Trump Heads to White House, Lack of Actual Policy Threatens U.S. Energy Future

by Karlee Weinmann | Date: 9 Nov 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

The U.S. energy economy faces unprecedented pressure to integrate clean and renewable fuel sources like wind and solar, but after a distracting 2016 presidential campaign sidelined energy policy, troubling and untenable gaps in the president-elect’s strategy remain unchecked. In the … Read More

28 Jan 2016

New Fossil Fuel Power Plants: Assets or Liabilities?

by John Farrell | Date: 28 Jan 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

In any conversation about the transition to a renewable energy economy, solar and wind advocates will eventually come up against the term “stranded assets.” It’s a misleading term, usually deployed in defense of legacy fossil fuel power plants (and their … Read More

19 Nov 2015

It’s not Doomsday, but Neither is Ending the Solar Tax Credit Good Policy

by John Farrell | Date: 19 Nov 2015 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

I took the “no” side in a point/counterpoint in the Wall Street Journal this week on the topic: Will Solar Energy Plummet if the Investment Tax Credit Fades Away? It’s been a great conversation-starter, but also an opportunity to clarify … Read More

8 Sep 2015

Democratic Energy Media Roundup – week of September 7, 2015

by Nick Stumo-Langer | Date: 8 Sep 2015 | posted in: Energy | 0

This week in Democratic Energy: California utilities attempt to reduce residential solar, much to solar company ire. Solar energy amendment fight heading to Florida Supreme Court. Inefficient Ohio utility seeks to save money on coal power by passing the cost … Read More

18 Dec 2014

Distributed Solar a Substantial Portion of 2014 Power Plant Capacity

by John Farrell | Date: 18 Dec 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0

Renewable energy continues to grow substantially in the U.S. and in 2014 it remains a large portion of new power plant capacity – 30% or more through the first three quarters. Often overlooked, distributed solar on residential and commercial property … Read More

21 Nov 2014

Walmart is a Huge Consumer of Dirty Coal Energy

by Walter Wuthmann | Date: 21 Nov 2014 | posted in: Retail | 0

Walmart has been strutting around decked out in solar panels lately. But look a little closer and this emperor’s outfit isn’t all that it appears to be. Only 3 percent of Walmart’s U.S. power is supplied by its renewable energy projects. Which begs the question: Where does the other 97 percent of Walmart’s power come from? Here at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, we decided to take a look. And what we found is a big, filthy mountain of coal.
… Read More

20 Nov 2014

New Report Reveals Walmart’s Heavy Dependency on Coal-Fired Electricity, Undermining Company’s Pledge to Be an Environmental Leader

by ILSR | Date: 20 Nov 2014 | posted in: Press Release, Retail | 0

As a growing group of environmental leaders call on Walmart to stop greenwashing and commit to real sustainability, a new study from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance finds that Walmart is one of the nation’s largest users of coal-fired electricity, and that its heavy reliance on dirty power pumps nearly 8 million metric tons of carbon pollution into the air each year.… Read More