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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 2, 2007

Community Choice Plan Adopted in San Francisco

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-choice-plan-adopted-san-francisco/

San Francisco’s Mayor has approved a local power plan that could achieve a 51 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2017. The Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) plan creates an innovative new financial structure using municipal revenue bonds (“H Bonds”) to make San Francisco energy independent and finance construction of a 360 megawatt solar power network and make investments in energy conservation efforts.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 25, 2007

Major Massachusetts Developments Must Estimate GHG Emissions and Offer Mitigation Plan

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/major-massachusetts-developments-must-estimate-ghg-emissions-and-offer-mitigation-plan/

In late April 2007, a new policy was put in place in Massachusetts that requires certain developers to "quantify the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by proposed projects and identify measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate such emissions" The policy applies to developments requiring an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that need an air quality permit, receive state funding or generate a significant number of new vehicle trips.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2007

London: Making Motorists Pay for Their Emissions

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/london-making-motorists-pay-their-emissions/

London Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to further reduce the City’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by making motorists take financial responsibility for their own emissions. The first approach set to begin in February 2008 is the establishment of a Low Emissions Zone. The second approach still under debate would modify the current congestion fee by establishing an Emissions Influenced Charging Structure.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2007

Legislation Authorizes Washington’s Public Utilities to Buy Carbon Offsets

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/legislation-authorizes-washingtons-public-utilities-buy-carbon-offsets/

On May 7th, Washington’s Governor signed a new law that effectively reverses a January 2007 Washington Supreme Court decision. The State Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Seattle municipal utility could not purchase carbon offsets with ratepayer money. This case originated from ratepayers that were protesting Seattle City Light’s purchases of carbon offsets to counter the utility’s greenhouse gas emissions.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2007

Maine Passes Law Requiring Economic Impact Studies of Big-Box Projects

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/maine-passes-law-requiring-economic-impact-studies-bigbox-projects/

The Maine legislature has given its approval to a bill that requires cities and towns to evaluate the economic effects of large-scale retail development and to approve only those projects that will not have an adverse impact on jobs, local businesses, and municipal finances. The legislation is the first of its kind in the nation. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 8, 2007

California Supreme Court Bolsters Local Authority to Control Retail

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-supreme-court-bolsters-local-authority-control-retail/

In a unanimous decision yesterday, the California Supreme Court fortified efforts by cities across the state to restrict the development of big-box stores, favor small-scale retailers, and protect the vitality of downtowns. The ruling (Hernandez v. City of Hanford) upholds the authority of cities to adopt planning and zoning ordinances that have a direct impact on economic competition and that treat businesses differently based on the scale of their stores. Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Jun 1, 2007

Greed, yes; public good, no

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/greed-yes-public-good-no/

Greed, yes; public good, no Republicans don’t always mind paying more at the pump. It depends. By David Morris, originally published in the Mineapolis Star Tribune, June 1, 2007 For Republicans, an increase in gas prices driven by oil companies may be unwelcome, but it is very much in the natural economic order of things…. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 30, 2007

San Francisco’s Economy Reaps Big Benefits from Independent Merchants, Study Finds

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/san-franciscos-economy-reaps-big-benefits-independent-merchants-study-finds/

While many parts of the country are overrun with chain stores, San Francisco remains a stronghold for locally owned businesses, according to a new study, which also found that those local stores generate sizable benefits for the city’s economy.
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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 23, 2007

Los Angeles Uses Municipal Utility For GHG Reduction Targets

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/los-angeles-uses-municipal-utility-ghg-reduction-targets/

In mid-May, Los Angeles’ Mayor announced a new climate change action plan that calls for the LA municipal utility to increase its renewable energy portfolio to reach 35 percent by 2020. This in combination with about 50 other proposed actions will work to reduce GHG emissions in the city of angels to 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 10, 2007

California Solar Advocates and Legislature Working to Fix TOU Rate Disincentive

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/california-solar-advocates-and-legislature-working-fix-tou-rate-disincentive/

Responding to concerns and evidence put forward by solar power companies and advocates, Governor Schwarznegger has pledged to fix a flaw in California’s Solar Initiative that has caused a reported 78 percent drop off in proposed photovoltaic installations in the state.

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