Can PUCs Lead on Distributed Renewable Energy?

Date: 7 Aug 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

If you’re like most renewable energy advocates that have interacted with a Public Utilities Commission, you probably don’t think they’re a repository of progressive policy toward distributed renewable energy.  In general, you’re right. But it’s worth sharing a few, promising examples of Public Utilities Commissions around the U.S. that are actually making things better for distributed … Read More

An Enormous Question for ‘Solar Choice’

Date: 9 Apr 2014 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 10 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Two weeks ago, Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission ratified the first-ever statewide policy for setting a fair and transparent price on solar energy. This week, a coalition of companies that provide leasing contracts for solar to home and business customers declared war on this “value of solar” policy, and pretty much every financial model for compensating solar … Read More

A Roadmap for the FCC To Ensure Local Authority to Build Networks – Community Broadband Podcast #84

Date: 4 Feb 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

When the DC Circuit Court handed down a decision ruling against the FCC’s Open Internet (network neutrality) rules, it also clarified that the FCC has the power to overrule state laws that limit local authority to build community networks. Harold Feld, Senior Vice President for Public Knowledge, joins us for Community Broadband Bits Episode #84 to … Read More

Improvements Needed to Xcel’s Proposed MN Community Solar Program

Date: 11 Nov 2013 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Xcel Energy has published their proposed community solar program on Sept. 30, 2013 and ILSR submitted comments on the unlawfully capped and fee-crazy program last week. Comments below Public Comments on Community Solar (Docket E-002/M-13-867) Program Design Requirements Does Xcel’s proposed plan for operating a community solar garden (CSG) meet all the program design requirements, as … Read More

IP Transition Catches Fire Island – Community Broadband Bits Podcast Episode #52

Date: 25 Jun 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

We welcome Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Public Knowledge back to the show to discuss the latest update in the so-called IP Transition. Back in episode 32, Harold explained the five fundamental protections needed for our telecommunications system. Today he returns to discuss the ways in which some of the islands devastated by Sandy are … Read More

Verizon Plans to Abandon Copper Wires In Islands Damaged by Sandy

Date: 19 Jun 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Victims of Sandy are still recovering from the killer storm that ripped through the east coast last year. Two places hardest hit by the “Frankenstorm” were Fire Island, New York and the Barrier Island in New Jersey. In addition to homes and property, residents lost phone and Internet communications when telephone wires went down. They are … Read More

Kentuckians Once Again Fighting to Keep Landlines

Date: 22 Feb 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Last year, we reported on the failed SB 135, which would have eliminated the “carrier of last resort” requirement in the state. The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Paul Hornback would have let AT&T decide who could receive basic telephone service and would have limited consumer protections. Last year’s bill did not become law, but a … Read More

MN House Committee Learns About the PUC/Broadband Relationship

Date: 31 Jan 2013 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

We want to thank Ann Treacy from the Blandin Foundation for getting out and reporting on many events dealing with telecommunications. We know we can rely on her to faithfully share her findings via the Bladin on Broadband blog. Last week, Ann attended the Labor, Workplace and Regulated Industries Committee at the Minnesota House of Representatives. … Read More

Finding Value in Distributed Generation, Before it Finds You

Date: 9 Nov 2012 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 2 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell is giving this presentation to a collaborative meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) this weekend.  It highlights the proven value of distributed solar to utility grid systems and the urgent need for regulators and utilities to incorporate this value into their … Read More

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