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Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 18, 2017

Why Minnesota’s Community Solar Program is the Best

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesotas-community-solar-program/

Update November 2016: From now on, we’ll keep the most recent data on the program’s development in this post I’ve been asked a lot of questions about Minnesota’s community solar program over the past couple years and it’s time to make one thing clear: Minnesota’s program is the best in the country. Why? Because there… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Sep 15, 2017

Rural Internet Connectivity is a Campaign Issue In Virginia’s 2017 State Elections

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/rural-internet-connectivity-is-a-campaign-issue-in-virginias-2017-state-elections/

For years we’ve encouraged voters to make improving connectivity a campaign issue in local, state, and federal elections by pursuing answers from candidates. In this year’s Virginia Gubernatorial race, it has now become a topic that both candidates are addressing as a key issue. The Roanoke Times Editors, no strangers to the state’s struggles with rural Internet… Continue reading

Featured Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 12, 2017

Press Release: Mayor Hodges’ Budget Would Make Minneapolis a National Clean Energy Leader

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/press-release-hodges-budget-energy-leader/

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — Cities across the country are grappling with extreme weather, rising sea levels, and an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many of them have committed to do what they can to address this crisis. But the City of Minneapolis, under a budget proposed by Mayor Betsy Hodges, is poised to do something novel: put real resources behind its climate and energy pledge. The mayor’s budget proposal would unlock more than $2 million in new funding, leverage more than $20 million in utility conservation funds and expand access to energy savings to many more residents and businesses. Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Sep 11, 2017

Ohio State Lawmakers Look to Minnesota for Broadband Development Ideas

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/ohio-state-lawmakers-look-to-minnesota-for-broadband-development-ideas/

Two Ohio State Senators are taking a page from Minnesota’s playbook to expand rural broadband connectivity. Democratic Sen. Joe Schiavoni and Republican Sen. Cliff Hite recently announced that they would be introducing legislation to create a grant program modeled after the Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program.   Putting Money Into It The program is expected to… Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 30, 2017

Minnesota Has the Best Community Solar Program — Here’s Why

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesota-has-the-best-community-solar-program-heres-why/

This article was originally published on MinnPost on August 21st, 2017 in its Community Voice submission section. As a long-time advocate for community-scale investment in renewable energy, I’m often asked about community solar: a burgeoning part of the solar industry and a model for its growth. In community solar programs, multiple households or businesses near a common… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Karlee Weinmann | No Comments | Updated on Aug 22, 2017

Minnesota Utility Takes Baby Steps Toward Broadening Community Solar Access

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/minnesota-utility-takes-baby-steps-toward-broadening-community-solar-access/

Minnesota’s largest utility is planning a pilot community solar program specifically targeted to low-income customers, an important first step in bridging significant gaps in accessing the benefits of the state’s burgeoning clean energy economy. Xcel Energy filed a program outline with Minnesota regulators last month, which drew general support from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance… Continue reading

Featured Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy, Energy Self-Reliant States | Written by Nick Stumo-Langer | No Comments | Updated on Aug 17, 2017

Press Release: Minneapolis Mayor’s Proposed Budget Unlocks $2M+ for Clean Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/press-release-minneapolis-franchise-fee/

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. — A few weeks ago, cities across the country responded to President Trump’s intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord with their own commitments. But the City of Minneapolis, under a budget proposed by Mayor Betsy Hodges, is poised to do something novel: put real resources behind its climate and energy pledge. The mayor’s budget proposal would unlock more than $2 million in new funding, leverage more than $20 million in utility conservation funds and expand access to energy savings to many more residents and businesses Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Hannah Trostle | No Comments | Updated on Aug 14, 2017

Fond du Lac Band Builds Fiber Network in Northeast Minnesota

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/fond-du-lac-band-builds-fiber-network-in-northeast-minnesota/

Native nations are building community networks, owned and operated by tribal governments to ensure that Indian Country has high-speed Internet access. In July 2017, the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe announced a plan to build a Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network to 900 homes that only had access to dial-up Internet service. The Duluth News Tribune reported that the Fond… Continue reading

ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Nick Stumo-Langer | No Comments | Updated on Aug 11, 2017

Readers Write: Amazon and retail

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/readers-write-amazon-and-retail/

Minneapolis Star Tribune – August 11, 2017 Written by Olivia LaVecchia That ‘heat’ on proven player — a giant — is warranted. Given that Neal St. Anthony often writes about small business, it strikes me as odd that in his Aug. 5 column “Proven-player Amazon takes heat as Foxconn is cheered,” he fails to consider the ways… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jul 18, 2017

RS Fiber Upgrades: Gigabit Speeds With No Price Increase

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/rs-fiber-upgrades-gigabit-speeds-with-no-price-increase/

As if bringing high-quality connectivity to rural central Minnesota wasn’t enough, RS Fiber Cooperative has recently established the “Cornerstone Member” program. Now that gigabit connectivity is available, existing residential customers can upgrade from 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) with no price increase. As long as they continue service uninterrupted through 2017, they offer stands. General Manager… Continue reading