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About John Farrell

John Farrell directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and he focuses on energy policy developments that best expand the benefits of local ownership and dispersed generation of renewable energy. More

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 5, 2009

Feed-in tariffs get another chance in U.S. House

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/feedin-tariffs-get-another-chance-us-house/

Small-scale renewables will get a boost in a new feed-in tariff proposal by Reps. Jay Inslee of Washington and Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts.  The authors tout its better record than renewable standards in encouraging renewable energy production, and the more secure electricity system from distributed renewables. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 16, 2009

Tax-based incentives are the enemy of sustainable renewable energy development

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/taxbased-incentives-are-enemy-sustainable-renewable-energy-development/

A reliance on tax-based incentives for renewable energy industry has led to boom-and-bust cycles for years, the Atlantic explains.  The New Rules Project has several suggestions for solving this system of Byzantine incentives. Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Jul 16, 2009

Washington State sets aside solar incentives for “community solar”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/washington-state-sets-aside-solar-incentives-community-solar/

Although not as comprehensive as a feed-in tariff, Washington State provides incentive payments for solar PV systems made in-state and now, for systems that are community owned on local government property. Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 13, 2009

Municipal Energy Financing Efforts Push Renewable Energy Development and Efficiency

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/municipal-energy-financing-efforts-push-renewable-energy-development-and-efficiency/

In the last 12 months a new and very promising strategy for local energy self-reliance has emerged, and it spreading like a prairie fire:  direct public financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy investments by private businesses and households.  ILSR has been closely tracking these developments and has brought together information about individual programs and the laws and ordinances that have enabled them (view our Map and see the various Municipal Energy Financing rules).

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filed under General | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 8, 2009

Why we need a feed-in tariff (in 10 slides)

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-we-need-feedin-tariff-10-slides/

A 10-slide presentation by feed-in tariff expert John Farrell lays out the case for a feed-in tariff in the United States. Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 25, 2009

East Coast Governors Say National Transmission Grid Limits Local Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/east-coast-governors-say-national-transmission-grid-limits-local-energy/

On May 4th, 2009, Governors from 10 East Coast states sent a sign-on letter opposing the current House & Senate bills to expedite transmission line planning and siting. The states that signed onwere Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont.  Theletter argued against a greater federal subsidy for long-distance transmission, stating that the focus should be on more local renewable generation, such as off-shore wind along the East Coast.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 16, 2009

California may miss 33% RPS target due to focus on centralized generation

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-may-miss-33-rps-target-due-focus-centralized-generation/

In a nutshell: On paper, California could meet its targets, provided it can afford and build $12 billion in new transmission lines and higher electricity costs. In reality, the state probably won’t make the target, concludes the California Public Utilities Commission in its latest analysis of the state’s clean-energy quest…

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filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 11, 2009

Enabling Municipal Financing for Renewables and Efficiency

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/enabling-municipal-financing-renewables-and-efficiency/

As of August 2010, 24 states have passed or have existing laws that allow municipal energy financing programs and a handful of cities have established operational municipal energy financing programs.  The concept, widely known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing, is sweeping the country as more and more states are enabling the policy and… Continue reading

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filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 2 Comments | Updated on Jun 8, 2009

Community Choice Aggregation: An Update

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-choice-aggregation-update/

Community Choice Aggregation lets cities and counties select their own electricity provider, prioritize renewable energy and encourage conservation, without having to own the utility or the power lines. It has expanded in California, and this paper provides an update on this innovative policy. For years, the U.S. has been served by four forms of electric utility: investor-owned, cooperative, municipal, and federal (e.g. Tennessee Valley Authority).  This list is changing.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 29, 2009

SD Sets Interconnection Rules for Distributed Renewable Energy Projects

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/sd-sets-interconnection-rules-distributed-renewable-energy-projects/

The state Public Utilities Commission has made it easier for small power generators 10 MW and under to get their renewable energy flowing onto the electric grid.

Called the South Dakota Small Generation Interconnection Rules, the recent decision simplifies who can connect to the electric grid and how. It allows electric customers to be producers, too, by connecting clean energy systems such as solar panels and wind turbines to the grid.  Next is a legislative review hearing. Barring changes, the interconnection rules will become law June 9.

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