20 Oct 2016

Energy Democracy: Customer Control over Renewable Energy (Episode 3)

by | Date: 20 Oct 2016 | posted in: Building Local Power, Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this episode, Chris Mitchell, the director of our Community Broadband Networks initiative, interviews John Farrell, the director of our Energy Democracy initiative about the concept of energy democracy and about his latest report, Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy? John specifically outlines some of the key concepts that make up the principles of energy democracy and how locally-owned renewable energy continues to shape our electric grid in new and exciting ways.… Read More
12 Oct 2016

Report: Sparking Grid Savings Starts at Home

by | Date: 12 Oct 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

New technology, particularly in the hands of electric customers, is creating an unprecedented opportunity to tap the many other sources of controllable electricity demand in homes and businesses. Utilities, like Xcel Energy in Minnesota, should harness these lower-cost ways to meet rising peak energy demand.… Read More
11 Oct 2016

Report: North Carolina Connectivity – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

by | Date: 11 Oct 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

North Carolina’s digital divide between urban and rural communities is increasing dangerously in a time when high quality Internet access is more important than ever. Rural and urban areas of North Carolina are essentially living in different realities, based on the tides of private network investment where rural communities are severely disadvantaged. The state has relied … Read More
27 Sep 2016

Trust In Government: Strongest Close To Home

by | Date: 27 Sep 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

We have recently covered state laws preempting local control, especially in North Carolina and Tennessee. State governments are supposed to be “laboratories of democracy” and municipalities are sub-parts of the state. Preemption is ostensibly to prevent problems, but instead these state laws limit local governments’ solutions for ensuring better connectivity. At the same time, people trust … Read More
24 Sep 2016

Connectivity’s Community Impact: Looking At The Numbers

by | Date: 24 Sep 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

People rave about next-generation connectivity’s possibilities in rural economies, but what does that mean for locals? A recent survey quantified the actual impact of a reliable high-speed Internet connection in an underserved area. Central Minnesota telephone cooperative, Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC), released the results of an impact survey on their newest fiber Internet service customers. CTC … Read More
21 Sep 2016

Local Internet Authority “A-Number One” Priority For Congress, Says Wheeler

by | Date: 21 Sep 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

“A-number one importance.” On September 15th, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee gathered to discuss FCC oversight and telecommunications issues. Among those issues, the Committee discussed municipal networks. Senator Cory Booker (D – NJ) asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to provide his thoughts on how important it is that Congress takes action. The matter he … Read More
16 Sep 2016

At the Two-Year Mark, a Few Lessons from the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership – Episode 40 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

by | Date: 16 Sep 2016 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Minneapolis garnered national attention when it formed a first-of-its-kind partnership with local utilities to advance sustainable, efficient energy policy. Now, as communities across the U.S. increasingly push for influence over their energy futures, the Midwestern city offers a blueprint for what works and a taste of the challenges that come with cooperation. John Farrell, who leads … Read More
16 Sep 2016

Wilson, North Carolina Forced to Turn Off Service to Rural Pinetops

by | Date: 16 Sep 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Last night, Wilson’s City Council voted to halt Greenlight Internet service to the community of Pinetops, North Carolina. City leaders, faced with the unfortunate reversal of the FCC’s preemption of harmful state anti-muni laws, felt the move was necessary to protect the utility. Service will stop at the end of October. No Other Solution Before the … Read More
23 Aug 2016

SandyNet Increases Speeds, Keeps Low Prices

by | Date: 23 Aug 2016 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This post was written by ILSR intern, Alex Dangel. On July 4th, Sandy, Oregon’s municipal fiber-optic network, SandyNet, permanently increased the speed of its entry-level Internet package from 100 Megabit per second (Mbps) to 300 Mbps at no additional cost to subscribers. The city announced the speed boost for its $39.95 per month tier in a recent … Read More

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