Initiatives

Banking

Overview

The financial crisis and its economic aftershocks have spawned the first serious examination of the structure of our current banking system and the public policies that have fueled consolidation over the last 30 years and untethered financial institutions from their communities.

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Featured Article filed under Banking | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 27, 2012

Free Checking is Rare at Big Banks, Common at Small

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/free-checking-rare-big-banks-common-small/

While just 24 percent of big banks offer totally free checking, more than 60 percent of credit unions and small banks do, according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The report also found that credit unions and small banks have lower fees on average and do a better job of disclosing fees to prospective customers. Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Banking | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Mar 18, 2011

Why Republicans Hate Warren’s CFPB But Love Another Bank Regulator

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/why-republicans-hate-warrens-cfpb-love-another-bank-regulator/

What’s really at issue in the fight over the CFPB is not how the agency is structured or how much power it will have, but whose interests it serves. Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Banking | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Sep 15, 2011

How State Banks Bring the Money Home

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-state-banks-bring-money-home/

One of the most significant consequences of the consolidation of banking over the last decade is how much it has hindered the economy’s ability to create jobs. There’s no single solution to this problem, but one of the most promising strategies involves creating state-owned banks that can bolster the lending capacity of local banks, helping them grow and multiply. Continue reading

Biomaterials

Overview

In 1992, ILSR’s work on plant derived plastics and other materials led to our co-hosting the first International Workshop on Biodegradability. The concept of a Carbohydrate Economy – one that uses plant-based chemicals to replace petro-chemicals – was born...

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Featured Article, Resource filed under Biomaterials, Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on Jul 30, 2012

Atlanta Airport Launches Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/atlanta-airport-launches-compostable-foodservice-ware-packet/

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) sends more than 19,000 tons of waste to Georgia landfills each year. Food scraps are the single largest component of HJAIA waste, making up about one-third of this tonnage. HJAIA has a goal to divert 50% of its waste from landfill disposal by 2015. Composting food waste is essential to reach this goal, and switching to compostable food packaging will enable successful food residuals recovery. Continue reading

Featured Article, Resource filed under Biomaterials, Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Oct 11, 2012

Exemptions/Exclusions Added to Atlanta Airport Info Packet

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

The Sustainable Food Court Initiative (SFCI) Airport Pilot, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, works closely with the SFCI Team to bring sustainable operating practices to their operations, especially regarding food waste. In early 2012 the Atlanta Airport made a bold statement in the new concessionaire contract, the largest foodservice contract executed in North America. Continue reading

Broadband

Overview

Access to the Internet is an essential infrastructure for any community that cares about economic development, quality of life, and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, most communities are presently dependent on a few unaccountable absentee corporations that act as gatekeepers to...

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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

Featured Article, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | 21 Comments | Updated on Apr 9, 2012

Broadband at the Speed of Light

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

The fastest networks in the nation are built by local governments, a new report by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Benton Foundation reveals Chattanooga, Tennessee, is well known for being the first community with citywide access to a “gig,” or the fastest residential connections to the Internet available nationally. Less known are Bristol, Virginia,… Continue reading

accusation-of-corruption-in-favor-of-time-warner-cable-in-north-carolina-general-assembly

Featured Article, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 12, 2013

North Carolina Legislator Accused of Favoring Time Warner Cable

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/accusation-corruption-favor-time-warner-cable-north-carolina-general-assembly/

Accusations of special treatment for Time Warner Cable found their way into floor debate at the North Carolina General Assembly and it was no surprise to ILSR staff. Republican legislator and former Committee Chair Robert Brawley shared a revealing letter he wrote to Speaker Thom Tillis questioning his relationship with Time Warner Cable. ILSR covered… Continue reading

Energy

Overview

Wind and sun are available everywhere, so renewable energy can be economically harnessed at small scales across the country. This nature of renewable energy, and the exponential increase of renewable energy generation, promises to decentralize the nation’s grid system. ...

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Featured Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Apr 17, 2013

Proposed Solar Standard is Cheap Compared to Minnesota Utilities’ Rate Increases

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/proposed-solar-standard-cheap-compared-minnesota-utilities-rate-increases/

If you’re a state legislator in Minnesota, here are a few grains of salt to season the message you’ve been getting from electric utilities about the proposed solar energy standard. The bill (HF956/SF901) requires most utilities to get 4% of their energy from solar by 2025 and offers a standard, fixed-price contract to distributed solar energy… Continue reading

Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 20, 2013

Expect Delays: Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/expect-delays-reviewing-ontarios-buy-local-renewable-energy-program/

Launched in 2009, Ontario’s “buy local” Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program promised to deliver hundreds of megawatts of new renewable energy and create 50,000 new jobs by the end of 2012. The program has had some notable achievements, and the province has worked hard to remedy some of the remaining roadblocks to success. The bottom line… Continue reading

Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 19, 2013

How a City Can Get More Clean, Local Energy

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

Like many cities attempting to solve climate change at a local level, Minneapolis is finding the prospect more challenging that it may have imagined. The lion’s share of emissions (two-thirds in the case of Minneapolis) come from electricity and gas sold by two monopoly, corporate utilities. Minnesota’s state-level policy is helping: a renewable energy standard… Continue reading

Independent Business

Overview

Over the last 25 years, a handful of giant retailers have grown to dominate the U.S. economy. ILSR challenges the wisdom of this market concentration. Through research and analysis, we have built a compelling case that places that are home to...

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Featured Article, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 15 Comments | Updated on Dec 1, 2012

How Walmart is Devouring the Food System (Infographic)

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

Walmart now captures $1 of every $4 Americans spend on groceries. It’s on track to claim one-third of food sales within five years. Here’s a look at how Walmart has dramatically altered the food system — triggering massive consolidation, driving down prices to farmers, and leaving more families struggling to afford healthy food. Continue reading

Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/2013-independent-business-survey/

ILSR’s annual survey has found that independent businesses experienced solid revenue growth in 2012, buoyed in part by “buy local first” initiatives. But the survey also documented challenges facing independent businesses, most notably an increase in “showrooming” and competition from online retailers, tax and subsidy policies that favor their big competitors, difficulty obtaining loans, and a customer base still reeling from the recession. Continue reading

The Public Good

Overview

At the founding of the American Republic the word “private” had pejorative connotations. Derived from the Latin word “privare”, private meant to divide or tear apart. A privateer was a pirate. The word “public” was an honorable adjective, often...

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Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

The End of the Post Office as a Public Institution?

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

“When the post office is closed, the flag comes down. When the human side of government closes its doors, we’re all in trouble.” Senator Jennings Randolph (West Virginia) 1958-85 For the post office the end game is on. This year the post office will close half its processing centers. By late spring a first… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Apr 17, 2013

Four Victories for the Public Good

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

I’m not saying it’s time to break out the champagne and start chanting, “The people united will never be defeated”. But the past few weeks have brought us some heartwarming demonstrations that the popular will still has a bite. February 22: After a major public outcry, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) directed… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on May 13, 2013

Can We Save the Commons that is the Post Office?

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

For 225 years the U.S. Post Office has been the most admired and ubiquitous manifestation of government. From 1789 until the 1960s, the Cabinet level agency saw its mission not only to deliver the mail but to aggressively defend the public good. In the late 19th century when oligopolistic mail order delivery companies abused their… Continue reading

Waste to Wealth

Overview

ILSR's Waste to Wealth program helps communities across the country create policies and practices that address citizens' environmental concerns and economic needs. We help citizens fight the incinerators and landfills that pollute their air and water, and drive property...

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Our Projects

Featured Article, Resource filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on May 8, 2013

Composting Supports Jobs and Healthy Watersheds, Say New ILSR Reports

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

Two new reports from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s Composting Makes $en$e Project document the importance of expanded composting and compost use to enhance soils, protect watersheds, reduce waste, and create green jobs and a new made-in-America industrial sector. For press release, click here. With compostable material making up almost one-half of municipal solid waste, there… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Stop Incineration, Waste to Wealth | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Apr 10, 2013

VICTORY against Maryland’s “Waste Portfolio Standard” — the Latest Creative Way to Prop Up Incinerators

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/victory-against-maryland-incinerator-bill/

What does an incinerator industry do when they can’t compete? Change the rules. Biomass and trash incinerators are the most expensive way to make energy, and trash incineration costs more than directly landfilling the waste. These industries survive to the extent that they can change the rules to get monopoly waste contracts, become ‘renewable’ energy in state mandates, or as we’re seeing in Maryland: worse. Continue reading

Viewing all Articles Page 146 of 231

Article filed under Energy, The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Oct 9, 2008

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-t-boone-pickens-energy-plan-just-got-killed/

The financial bailout bill passed by Congress may have once and for all put an end to T. Boone Pickens’ energy plan. Let me explain.

Until the financial meltdown obliterated all other news coverage, T. Boone and his energy plan were everywhere. His book, The First Billion Is the Hardest, is number two on the bestseller list. During the Republican and Democrat Conventions his press conferences were attended by a fawning media, virtually all of who filed stories with the theme "oil man turns wind energy advocate."

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Oct 9, 2008

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-t-boone-pickens-energy-plan-just-got-killed-2/

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed The new bailout plan passed by Congress may have put the nail in the coffin on Pickens’ dangerous energy proposal. By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, October 9, 2008 The financial bailout bill passed by Congress may have once and for all put an end… Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Oct 8, 2008

Big Retailers Seek Exclusive Deals on Books and Albums

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/big-retailers-seek-exclusive-deals-books-and-albums/

When a small publisher recently agreed to let Amazon.com be the exclusive seller of a new book about Barack Obama, the deal sparked a flurry of protest from independent booksellers and provided new evidence that the e-commerce giant intends to leverage its power as a retailer to gain more control over the production and distribution of books. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 17, 2008

Berkeley Financing Program Brings Renewable Energy Home

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/berkeley-financing-program-brings-renewable-energy-home/

With has the potential to become one of the nation’s fastest spreading local renewable energy programs, the Berkeley city council last night voted unanimously to use the city’s bonding authority to finance rooftop solar on residential properties. The city will pay the upfront costs and property owners will repay those costs over 20 years through a special assessment on their property tax bills. If a person moves, the solar system will stay at the property and the new owners will assume the remaining years of the assessment.

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Sep 15, 2008

Palin’s Self-Reliant Image of Alaska Is Bogus

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/palins-self-reliant-image-of-alaska-is-bogus/

Palin’s Self-Reliant Image of Alaska Is Bogus By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, September 15, 2008 In her latest comment on the “Bridge to Nowhere” controversy, Sarah Palin appealed to the self-reliant, individualist, rugged, anti-government image most Americans have of Alaska. “If we wanted a bridge,” she declared, “we would build it ourselves.” Actually,… Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Sep 12, 2008

Salt Lake City Group Earns Victory Over Wal-Mart

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/salt-lake-city-group-earns-victory-over-walmart/

The grassroots group, Foothill Development Watch, and area community councils enjoyed a recent victory over Wal-Mart when the Salt Lake CIty Planning Commission unanimously rejected Wal-Mart’s request for a zoning change in order to make way for a new supercenter. Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Sep 12, 2008

T. Boone talks a lot about wind, but gas is what he’s really about

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/t-boone-talks-a-lot-about-wind-but-gas-is-what-hes-really-about/

T. Boone talks a lot about wind, but gas is what he’s really about By David Morris, originally published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, September 12, 2008 T. Boone Pickens visited St. Paul during the Republican Convention for the same reason he visited Denver during the Democratic Convention —to peddle his energy plan. In… Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 12, 2008

Pennsylvania Seeds a New Crop of Local Grocery Stores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/pennsylvania-seeds-new-crop-local-grocery-stores/

The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a four-year-old, statewide grant and loan program for grocery store development, has financed over 50 independent grocery stores and small food retailers in underserved areas of the state. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Aug 20, 2008

Republicans Have Handed Democrats a Winning Election Issue

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/republicans-have-handed-democrats-winning-election-issue/

The Republicans keep handing the Democrats a winning election issue. And the Democrats keeping refusing to accept the gift. I hope the beginning of the formal election campaign knocks some sense into them.

Thegift is the Republicans’ continued opposition to extending renewable energy incentives. Eight times since the fall of 2007, a Republican-threatened filibuster has thwarted a vote on extending these incentives. They will expire at the end of this year — and with that expiration, many believe the solar and wind industries will come to a grinding halt.

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Aug 20, 2008

Republicans Have Handed Democrats a Winning Election Issue

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/republicans-have-handed-democrats-a-winning-election-issue/

Republicans Have Handed Democrats a Winning Election Issue By David Morris, originally published in Alternet, August 20, 2008 The Republicans keep handing the Democrats a winning election issue. And the Democrats keeping refusing to accept the gift. I hope the beginning of the formal election campaign knocks some sense into them. The gift is the… Continue reading

Overview

Free Checking is Rare at Big Banks, Common at Small

Why Republicans Hate Warren’s CFPB But Love Another Bank Regulator

How State Banks Bring the Money Home

Overview

Atlanta Airport Launches Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet

Exemptions/Exclusions Added to Atlanta Airport Info Packet

Overview

Wireless Internet 101 Fact Sheet

Broadband at the Speed of Light

North Carolina Legislator Accused of Favoring Time Warner Cable

Overview

Proposed Solar Standard is Cheap Compared to Minnesota Utilities’ Rate Increases

Expect Delays: Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

How a City Can Get More Clean, Local Energy

Overview

How Walmart is Devouring the Food System (Infographic)

Survey Finds Independent Businesses Benefit from “Buy Local First” Campaigns, But Challenges Loom

Overview

The End of the Post Office as a Public Institution?

Four Victories for the Public Good

Can We Save the Commons that is the Post Office?

Overview

Our Projects

Composting Supports Jobs and Healthy Watersheds, Say New ILSR Reports

VICTORY against Maryland’s “Waste Portfolio Standard” — the Latest Creative Way to Prop Up Incinerators

Strengthening communities for more than 35 years!

Viewing all Articles Page 146 of 231

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

How T. Boone Pickens’ Energy Plan Just Got Killed

Big Retailers Seek Exclusive Deals on Books and Albums

Berkeley Financing Program Brings Renewable Energy Home

Palin’s Self-Reliant Image of Alaska Is Bogus

Salt Lake City Group Earns Victory Over Wal-Mart

T. Boone talks a lot about wind, but gas is what he’s really about

Pennsylvania Seeds a New Crop of Local Grocery Stores

Republicans Have Handed Democrats a Winning Election Issue

Republicans Have Handed Democrats a Winning Election Issue

Thank you for your interest in ILSR