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capenet-celebrates-launch
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2013

CapeNet Celebrates Launch

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/capenet-celebrates-launch

CapeNet is officially open throughout Cape Cod. Cape Cod Today reports Governor Deval Patrick, President of Massachusetts’ Senate Therese Murray, and State Senator Dan Wolf spoke on June 14th at an official event titled “This Changes Everything.” Planning for the new fiber network began seven years ago as a joint idea between Cape Cod Community… Continue reading

catching-up-on-clarksville-community-broadband-bits-episode-51
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2013

Catching Up on Clarksville – Community Broadband Bits Episode #51

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/catching-clarksville-community-broadband-bits-episode-51

Clarksville is the fifth largest city in the state but was among the first networks in nation to offer symmetrical fast connections with a 10 Mbps basic offering when it launched. Christie Batts, Broadband Division Manager of Clarksville Department of Electricity, joins us to share some of the lessons learned and successes from Clarksville, which… Continue reading

Republican democrat symbols
Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2013

On Liberty and Security Democrats and Republicans Drastically Differ

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/liberty-security-democrats-republicans-differ/

The gridlock that plagues Washington leads many, fairly or unfairly, to lump together the two parties and declare a pox on both their houses.  But most state governments are not gridlocked. Just the opposite.  In almost two thirds one party controls both legislative houses (Nebraska has a unicameral legislature) and the governorship:  Republicans 20, Democrats… Continue reading

Population at Grid Parity and Residential Rooftop Solar MW
Article filed under Energy | Written by Wade | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2013

The Solar Opportunity

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

The coming of solar grid parity offers an opportunity for millions of Americans to go solar affordably. But it also means a potential transformation, a democratization of an electricity system long domi- nated by centrally-controlled utilities and centralized ownership and production of electricity. When solar can undercut grid electricity prices, it may also undercut this… Continue reading

162041457_4bff374e3b
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Jun 17, 2013

Minneapolis the First Domino in Local Energy Choice in Minnesota?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/minneapolis-domino-local-energy-choice-minnesota/

Over the weekend the campaign for a municipal utility option in Minneapolis, MN, got another boost: the endorsement of the city Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.  The campaign’s goal is to increase clean, affordable, reliable, and local energy deployment in the city through meaningful negotiations with the utilities over their expiring franchise contracts in 2014, or by exercising… Continue reading

wireless 101 feature image
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 17, 2013

Wireless Internet 101 Fact Sheet

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/wireless-internet-101-fact-sheet/

ILSR’s Wireless Internet 101 fact sheet provides quick information on wireless technologies and policy. Most of us take wireless for granted. We use it every day but we have very little understanding of how it works, its limitations, or how it is managed. This fact sheet offers answers to questions many of us ask at… Continue reading

no tax loophole
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 3 Comments | Updated on Jun 14, 2013

Reactions to My Take on Master Limited Partnerships for Renewable Energy

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

When I wrote two weeks ago that Master Limited Partnerships are a Lousy Policy for Solar, Wind, and Taxpayers, I was aware that it wasn’t a widely held view.  The piece has done more than provide another viewpoint on the complicated corporate structure, it has ignited a significant debate across the renewable energy community about… Continue reading

smart-conduit-policy-in-sandy-mount-vernon-reduces-network-cost
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 14, 2013

Smart Conduit Policy in Sandy, Mount Vernon Reduces Network Cost

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/smart-conduit-policy-sandy-mount-vernon-reduces-network-cost

More communities now embrace “dig once” policies to facilitate installation of future and current networks. The idea is to be mindful of trenching for transportation and utility projects and encourage collaboration between agencies. However, this is implemented in a variety of ways, some more effectively than others. By establishing requirements for conduit installation in development… Continue reading

ames-tribune-editorial-board-wants-a-gig
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jun 13, 2013

Ames Tribune Editorial Board Wants a Gig

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/ames-tribune-editorial-board-wants-gig

We continue to see more and more of what we might call “gigabit fever.” This is not just a “me too” bubble centered around superfast Internet access. It is a recognition by more and more communities that the refusal of their cable and DSL duopoly to invest in next-generation networks is materially harming their future…. Continue reading

nixa-missouri-approves-study-but-suddenlink-protests
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 13, 2013

Nixa, Missouri, Approves Study But Suddenlink Protests

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/nixa-missouri-approves-study-suddenlink-protests

Not long ago, we learned about Nixa, Missouri, and a group of local entrepreneurs interested in a community owned network. In May, the City Council approved funding for a preliminary study to explore the possibilities for a municipal network. The study will cost $45,000. According to Rance Burger of the News-Leader, a May 20 council… Continue reading