StarTribune: Utility Lobbying Violates Ratepayers’ Free Speech

Date: 23 Mar 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Media Coverage | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this commentary from the Minneapolis StarTribune, John Farrell makes a case against monopoly utilities using customer funds for political lobbying. Compelling captive customers to pay for political speech is a violation of their first amendment right, says Farrell.… Read More

Interconnection and Grid Planning — Episode 179 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 15 Mar 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Sky Stanfield discusses how good interconnection policy and proactive grid planning can capitalize on existing distribution infrastructure for the most cost-effective clean energy transition.… Read More

Arizona Adopts a Useless Community Solar Policy

Date: 9 Mar 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On March 7, the Arizona Corporation Commission adopted a community solar policy statement that takes into account few, if any, stakeholder suggestions. The policy has many fatal flaws and will not spur any community solar development in Arizona.… Read More

Commission Failed Georgians in Nuclear Fiasco — Episode 176 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 1 Feb 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Patty Durand, candidate for the Georgia Public Service Commission, explains how the Commission failed to protect consumers from the Vogtle nuclear power plant, what Durand will do differently, if she is elected, and why her candidacy faced legal challenges.… Read More

Arizona Public Utility Acts Like For-Profit Peers — Episode 174 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 4 Jan 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Autumn Johnson talks about Salt River Project: a publicly-owned Arizona utility engaged in some shady behavior. The public’s only accountability measure? Board members who are elected by land-owning customers and punished for their dissension.… Read More

Regulators as Referees When Utilities and Customers Clash — Episode 173 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 21 Dec 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Ted Thomas, former chair of the Arkansas Public Service Commission, discusses access, fairness, cost shifts, utility monopolies, and innovation in the electricity sector.… Read More

A Successful Transition to Clean Building Energy Requires Collective Action

Date: 7 Oct 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In these comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, ILSR argues that there is no future for gas in Minnesota and emphasizes the need for a collective solution to the collective problem of natural gas use.… Read More

Small Solar Frees Energy From Decades of Utility-Stifled Innovation — Episode 160 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 6 Jul 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guest Bill Nussey discuss how regulated utility monopolies are stifling energy innovation and why “small is the future” of the energy sector.… Read More

Petitioners Ask Feds to Investigate Utility Abuses of Monopoly Power — Episode 158 of Local Energy Rules

Date: 9 Jun 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guests Howard Crystal and Liz Veazey discuss a recent petition to the Federal Trade Commission and why electric utility practices require federal investigation.… Read More

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