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Paul Spencer, Clean Energy Collective
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 5, 2013

Paul Spencer and the Community Solar ‘Holy Grail’: Episode 6 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/paul-spencer-community-solar-holy-grail-episode-6-local-energy-rules-podcast/

This week John Farrell and Wade Underwood talk with Paul Spencer, President and founder of the Clean Energy Collective (CEC) in Carbondale, CO. The CEC is pioneering the process of delivering clean power-generation through medium-scale (mostly solar) facilities that are collectively owned by participating utility customers. In many ways, their community energy model is the… Continue reading

santa-clara-uses-smart-meters-to-expand-the-reach-of-free-wi-fi
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 5, 2013

Santa Clara Uses Smart Meters to Expand the Reach of Free Wi-fi

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/santa-clara-uses-smart-meters-expand-reach-free-wi-fi

Smart meters aren’t just for electricity anymore. In Santa Clara, the city is now using the technology to bring free citywide outdoor Wi-Fi to the entire community. The Washington Post recently covered the story New smart meters, now being installed on homes, are primarily for electricity and water metering. The meters send usage reports via… Continue reading

Cost of Residential p.3
Article filed under Energy | Written by Wade | No Comments | Updated on Apr 4, 2013

Solar Costs and Grid Prices On a Collision Course

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

With the cost of solar continuing to fall rapidly (50% in the past five years) and electricity prices rising steadily, if slowly, the approach of solar grid parity is near. The following chart illustrates the trajectory of solar cost and electricity price, hinting at the coming intersection. 1 The chart compares the cost of a… Continue reading

community-anchor-institutions-in-rural-washington-connected-by-noanet
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 4, 2013

Community Anchor Institutions in Rural Washington Connected by NoaNet

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-anchor-institutions-rural-washington-connected-noanet

Adams County, situated in eastern Washington, is now connected to the regional Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) infrastructure. Ritzville, the county seat and home to about 1,600 people, connected last fall, funded through a combination of American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) stimulus grants, funds from public utility districts, and surrounding communities. As with other NoaNet… Continue reading

Los Angeles FIT Program capacity and price
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 3, 2013

Los Angeles Utility Goes for Local Solar with 100 MW Feed-In Tariff

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/los-angeles-utility-local-solar-feed-in-tariff/

Officially launched in January after years of development, a new CLEAN (feed-in tariff) program from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (the city’s municipal electric utility) promises 100 MW of new local renewable energy by 2016.  In absolute size, the program will be among the largest CLEAN programs in the U.S., but compared to… Continue reading

fact-sheet-bb-101-feature
Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 3, 2013

Broadband 101 Fact Sheet

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ilsrreleases-new-broadband-101-fact-sheet-2/

ILSR’s fact sheet is a reliable quick reference guide for policymakers and citizens. As discussion about the telecommunications landscape expands, language about broadband abounds. In order to make informed decisions without stumbling over terminology, ILSR has assembled some basic facts about broadband. This fact sheet is a great reference for anyone who may take up… Continue reading

spencer-iowa-upgrading-from-cable-to-fiber
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 3, 2013

Spencer, Iowa, Upgrading from Cable to Fiber

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/spencer-iowa-upgrading-cable-fiber

Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) of Spencer, Iowa, will be replacing old copper cable with fiber this summer. According to the Daily Reporter, customers can expect the upgrade with no increase in rates. From the article: “Just like internet service has evolved from dial up to DSL and cable modem, fiber will give customers the next… Continue reading

level-playing-field-padded-with-public-dollars-to-private-providers
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 2, 2013

“Level Playing Field” Padded With Public Dollars to Private Providers

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/level-playing-field-padded-public-dollars-private-providers

Municipal broadband networks have been gaining traction across the country. It’s easy to see why: In many rural and low-income communities, privately offered broadband services are nonexistent. In its 2012 Broadband Progress Report the Federal Communications Commission counted nearly 20 million Americans (the vast majority living in rural areas) beyond the reach of broadband. The… Continue reading

christopher-mitchell-to-join-fcc-panel-on-gigabit-communities
Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 2, 2013

Christopher Mitchell Speaks at FCC Gigabit Cities Workshop

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

As part of the FCC’s Gigabit Cities Challenge, the agency plans to host a series of workshops over the next several months. The workshops will focus on tools communities can use to expand connectivity, changing telecommunications policy, and will present experts from the field. Christopher Mitchell participated in the first workshop on March 26th in… Continue reading

opelika-builds-first-full-fiber-network-in-alabama-community-broadband-bits-episode-40
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 2, 2013

Opelika Builds First Full Fiber Network in Alabama – Community Broadband Bits Episode 40

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/opelika-builds-first-full-fiber-network-alabama-community-broadband-bits-episode-40

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and Jennifer McCain, partner of the Motive Group discuss why this Alabama town is the first to build its own fiber optic network in the state. In short, Opelika had long been fed up with the services offered by Charter Cable and Charter was not amenable to meeting the community’s needs…. Continue reading