Article
filed under
Independent Business
| Written by
Stacy Mitchell
|
| Updated on
Jan 15, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/big-empty-boxes/
Abandoned big-box stores, dead and dying strip malls and empty storefronts are about to join foreclosed houses as one of the defining features of the American landscape in 2009. It will be tempting to blame the weak economy for all of this wreckage. But the recession has merely been the trigger. This avalanche of vacant retail, much like the mortgage crisis, has been a long time in the making. Continue reading
Article, Resource
filed under
The Public Good
| Written by
David Morris
|
| Updated on
Jan 15, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/curbing-commercialization-public-space/
Total ad expenditures in the United States have risen from $50 billion in 1979 to $200 billion in 1998. Advertising is seeping into places we once assumed were off-limits.
Forinstance, in major cities facades of buildings as well as whole buildings are plastered with a single ad. The Gap and other stores project advertisements from lamps onto sidewalks at night. Public beaches are imprinted with adveretisements for iced tea and television shows.
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Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 15, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/climate-change/2506-2/
Many proposals addressing climate change advocate for a cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or carbon content of fuels. The limiting and lowering of carbon or GHG emissions will create a new market value for carbon. Many agree that there should be a 100 percent auction of carbon permits, and estimates indicate that carbon allowance auctions could raise $50-$200 billion annually at the national level. However, there are many different opinions as to how this money should be used. We believe that carbon cap with universal dividends on a per capita basis is the best solution and be the most politically acceptable solution. It will inspire substantial investment in clean energy technologies while protecting tens of millions of households from the impact from potentially steep increases in energy prices resulting from the cap Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 15, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/vehicle-limitations/2500-2/
In December 2004 the Washington, DC adopted the Department of Motor Vehicle’s Reform Amendment Act, which is intended to encourage the use of hybrid cars and discourage the use of SUVs. Underthe new Act, owners of hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles are no longer required to pay an excise tax and their registration fee is cut in half. Heavy passenger vehicles, on the other hand, must pay an increased excise tax of 8% (up from 7%) and an increased registration fee.
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Article
filed under
Energy, The Public Good
| Written by
David Morris
|
| Updated on
Jan 14, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/green-citizenship-vs-green-pricing/
Green pricing requires a few customers to pay a substantial premium for relatively little power. A much better way for consumers to increase the supply of renewable energy is to exercise "green citizenship." If a significant majority of the customers of a given utility vote for green energy, the utility can purchase a larger amount of renewables and spread the costs over its entire customer base. Often 10 times the amount of green electricity can be purchased at a fraction of the cost for an individual household. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 12, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/climate-change/2444-2/
In May 2002, New Hampshire became the first state in the country to adopt rules to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. The new law establishes a multiple pollutant reduction program. In addition to CO2, the final version of the new law (HB284, NH Laws of 2002, Chapter 130) establishes caps on emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides by existing fossil fuel electric power plants and also requires a reduction in mercury pollution. This law permits the banking and trading of emissions reductions credits to achieve compliance with the caps. The NH Department of Environmental Services is directed to establish an integrated strategy to reduce emissions, including the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy. The new law went into effect July 1, 2002. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 12, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/mercury-pollution/2443-2/
Under a compromise agreement, legislation was passed into law in May 2006 that requires Minnesota’s largest coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions by 90 percent by 2015. Utilitieswere brought on board by allowing immediate recovery from ratepayers the cost of installing the necessary pollution control equipment.
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Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 12, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/mercury-pollution/2442-2/
On January 5, 2006, Illinois Governor Blagojevich proposed a strong set of mercury pollution control standards. The proposal would require coal plant owners to install modern pollution control equipment to reduce mercury pollution by 90 percent or more by June 30, 2009. Unlikeother state mercury reduction efforts that involved some sort of legislative catalyst, the Illinois effort appears to be an executive directive from the Governor to the Illinois Pollution Control Board(PCB) to establish agressive mercury reduction rules for power plants.
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Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 12, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/mercury-pollution/2441-2/
In March 2003, environmental organizations including Clean Water Action, the Connecticut Coalition for Clean Air, and the Clean Air Task Force along with electric utility PSEG Power Connecticut (owner of the 375-megawatt Bridgeport Harbor coal-fired power plant) issued a joint recommendation to the Connecticut General Assembly for legislation establishing stringent new mercury emission standards for the state’s coal-fired power plants. The legislation sets a national precedent for controlling power plant mercury emissions. Continue reading
Article, Rule
filed under
Energy
| Written by
admin
|
| Updated on
Jan 12, 2009
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/mercury-pollution/2440-2/
Vermont’s mercury labeling law is a nice example of how one state’s action can lead to nationwide changes. Vermont legislation enacted in 1998, required manufacturers to label certain mercury-added products sold or distributed in Vermont to inform consumers of mercury content and proper disposal. There was no threshold on the amount of mercury a product must have in order meet labeling requirements. Continue reading
