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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 Feb 5, 2009

Tax Reform and Community Based Renewable Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/tax-reform-and-community-based-renewable-energy-2/

Tax Reform and Community Based Renewable Energy By John Farrell, originally published in Renewable Energy World, February 5, 2009 The federal tax credits for renewable energy have been a major barrier to widespread ownership of renewable energy. The production tax credit, for example, can only be taken against passive income, a type of income that… Continue reading

filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 27, 2009

Wind Energy Taxation

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/wind-energy-taxation/

Here find are rules related to taxation of wind energy projects. We highlight those that establish a fair revenue stream to local communities that are hosting renewable energy projects but not too high so that wind energy projects are not able to move forward.  Key to the successful development of wind energy projects is the support of the local communities that surround the project and one way to do that is providing those communities with financial benefits. Continue reading

filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 27, 2009

Low Income Consumer Protection

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/low-income-consumer-protection/

Funding commitments for low-income energy programs is a critical component of a sound energy policy. Typically, low-income energy programs are focused on helping families pay their energy bills. In many cases there is also a component of the program that targets energy-efficiency improvements for low-income households. Overall, funding for low income households held firm or modestly increased after electric restructuring in the 1990s, although in many cases the before and after comparison is misleading because utilities decreased their spending on low income households significantly between 1993 and 1998. Continue reading

Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 27, 2009

Feed-in Tariffs for Renewable Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/feedin-tariffs-renewable-energy/

Vermont, Oregon, Gainesville, FL, and the Canadian province of Ontario have recently adopted feed-in tariffs for renewable energy, allowing any prospective renewable energy producer will get a guaranteed connection to the grid, a long term contract to sell their power, and a fixed price sufficient to recover their costs plus a reasonable profit. We believe that feed-in tariffs could turbocharge state level renewable electricity standards, reduce costs, and spread the economic benefits across many more project owners.

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filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 2 Comments | Updated on Jan 14, 2009

Energy Efficiency and Conservation

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

Energy efficiency is a clearly demonstrated, cost-effective means to meet future electricity needs. States that implemented electric restructuring have set up policies to finance energy-efficiency improvements for residents and businesses. Regulated states have been moving toward policies that use to require a certain amount of expenditures on efficiency by utilities toward policies that require a certain amount of energy savings. Continue reading

filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 14, 2009

Electricity Disclosure

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

In the era of electric restructuring customers were given the right to choose which company supplies them with their electricity. In order for consumers to make sound, smart choices about a power supplier they need to know how each electric provider’s power is generated and what impacts that power production has on the environment.  Many states that have deregulated their electric power sector also mandated that power providers provide detailed information on the specifics of how their power is generated and transmitted. This is known as"electricity disclosure" or "environmental disclosure". Of the states that have enacted disclosure requirements, Illinois’ disclosure law is one of the best.

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filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 14, 2009

Distributed Generation – Removing Barriers and Interconnection Standards

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/distributed-generation-removing-barriers-and-interconnection-standards/

In the early 20th century electricity generation and transmission technologies supported the idea that "big is better." As a result, regulatory rules encouraged the construction of centralized power plants and long distribution lines. In the 1990s the technological dynamic was reversed. Small power plants located closer to the customer were become increasingly competitive. This has occurred at the same time as most states, many cities, and the U.S. Congress are rewriting the rules that govern our electricity system. These interconnection rules (i.e. codes, standards, regulations, statutes) will encourage electricity customers to also become electricity producers. Continue reading

Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 22, 2008

John Farrell Discusses Upcoming Feed-in Tariff Conference

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/john-farrell-discusses-upcoming-feedin-tariff-conference/

John Farrell talks about the upcoming "Bringing Renewable Energy Home:  Energy Policies To Maximize Energy Security And Economic Development" conference on January 9, 2009 at St. Olaf College in Minnesota Continue reading

ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Dec 8, 2008

New National Transmission Network Not Needed To Meet Renewable Energy Goals

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/for-immediate-release-18/

For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: John Farrell Tel. 612-276-3456 ext 210 New National Transmission Network Not Needed To Meet Renewable Energy Goals   Minneapolis, Minn.— (December 8, 2008). Two new reports from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) question the need for a new national extra-high voltage transmission network to support renewable energy expansion…. Continue reading

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filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 15, 2008

Energy Self-Reliant States: Homegrown Renewable Power

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/energy-selfreliant-states-homegrown-renewable-power/

How much energy could be generated by states tapping into internal renewable resources? This November 2008 report by David Morris and John Farrell presents preliminary data that suggests that at least half of the fifty states could meet all their internal energy needs from renewable energy generated inside their borders, and the vast majority could meet a significant percentage.

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