25 Jul 2019

Customers Pay When Big Utilities Make Big Errors In Electricity Forecasts

by | Date: 25 Jul 2019 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In an investigation of electric utility forecasts from seven of the largest ten U.S. electric utilities in the past decade, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that the average forecast overestimated demand by 17% over three years. Over longer time periods, the forecasts were even less accurate. The errors, all overestimating use, reinforce an environment in which utility companies––with no market competition––can win permission from public regulators to build unnecessary power plants. The costs can be passed to consumers while the rewards accrue to the utility’s shareholders.… Read More
25 Apr 2019

From the Archive: A David and Goliath Fight to Tap World Class Solar — Episode 75 of Local Energy Rules

by | Date: 25 Apr 2019 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, we revisit an earlier episode from our archives in which ILSR’s Director of Energy Democracy, John Farrell speaks with Mariel Nanasi of New Mexico’s New Energy Economy about how the citizens of Santa Fe could benefit from the economic and environmental benefits of switching to a city-owned utility. … Read More
28 Mar 2019

A Massachusetts Town Realizes a Community Vision to Transition from Coal to Sol — Episode 73 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by | Date: 28 Mar 2019 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, John Farrell interviews Lena Entin about an inspiring and successful community-driven campaign in Holyoke, Mass., to shut down an aging coal plant operated by one of the world’s largest multinational electric utility companies. The two discuss the campaign’s efforts to replace the dirty plant with clean energy to improve health outcomes for the community and provide a just transition for the power plant’s workers.… Read More
5 Dec 2018

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

by | Date: 5 Dec 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

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
13 Nov 2018

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

by | Date: 13 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

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
8 Nov 2018

How Cities Can Fund Their 100% Renewable Ambitions

by | Date: 8 Nov 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

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
14 Feb 2018

SCANA-Dominion Energy Utility Merger a Risky Deal for S.C. Ratepayers

by | Date: 14 Feb 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As monopoly utilities merge and grow bigger, they wield more power. This commentary advises South Carolina regulators, legislators, and residents to be cautious of a proposed takeover of SCANA by investor-owned utility Dominion Energy.… Read More
2 Jan 2018

New Study: Local Renewable Energy Offers Low-Cost Path to Clean Grid

by | Date: 2 Jan 2018 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In a landmark study of Minnesota’s electric grid, the Smarter Grid study found that it’s cost-effective to replace fossil fuel energy sources with wind and solar to dramatically lower carbon pollution from electricity generation. But within this bigger finding was … Read More

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