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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 11, 2013

Cedar Falls Utility Increases Speeds For Free

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/cedar-falls-utility-increases-speeds-free

Customers of Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU), in Iowa, have recently been treated to an increase in fiber Internet service speeds with no increase in price. We have reported on CFU for several years with news on its upgrades and expansions to unserved areas. The most popular CFU home service, 12/1 Mbps, is now at 16/8… Continue reading

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Featured Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 4 Comments | Updated on Feb 8, 2013

Germany Has More Solar Power Because Everyone Wins

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

Suddenly everyone knows about Germany’s solar power dominance because Fox Newsheads made an ass of themselves, suggesting that the country is a sunny, tropical paradise.  Most media folks have figured out that there are some monster differences in policy (e.g. a feed-in tariff), but then latch on to the “Germans pay a lot extra” meme. … Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 8, 2013

Streets.mn Interview With Christopher

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

We received a visit in the Institute for Local Self-Reliance offices last week from Bill Lindeke from streets.mn. Bill came to interview our own Christopher Mitchell so he could learn more about our work at ILSR. The two talked about Chris’ favorite topic. In Bills’ words: I sat down with him today in his office… Continue reading

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 7, 2013

WiredWest Makes Significant Progress in 2012

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/wiredwest-makes-significant-progress-2012

We enjoy bringing you news from western rural Massachusetts and the WiredWest Cooperative. We want to share the update on 2012 activities and some of the plans for 2013. Sixteen new towns became members in 2012, which brings the grand total to 42. Business planning progressed during 2012. From the WiredWest newletter: Significant work was… Continue reading

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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

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Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

Whatcha Workin’ On, John Farrell? Podcast Episode 2

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/whatcha-workin-on-podcast-2/

In our second episode of Whatcha Workin’ On? Lisa Gonzalez interviews John Farrell, Director of the Democratic Energy Program at ILSR. John describes the program and gives us an update on current and future projects, including some ground breaking proposals that can transform the way local communities can obtain or create the energy they need…. Continue reading

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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

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Feb 6, 2013

UC2B in Urbana-Champaign Tackles Digital Divide With Network Revenue

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/uc2b-urbana-champaign-tackles-digital-divide-network-revenue

The UC2B project broke ground in the fall of 2011 and is a joint effort by the cities of Urbana and Champaign and the University of Illinois. The project is funded with a $22.5 million federal stimulus grant, a $3 million grant from the state of Illinois, and a list of other grants from local agencies. From… Continue reading

archaic utility rules barriers infographic ILSR
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

Utility “Gets Ready” for More Local Energy in Hawai’i

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

Hawai’an solar advocates are celebrating this week after the island state’s largest utility, Hawai’ian Electric (HECO) filed a plan with the public utility commission to take a “proactive approach” to adding more distributed solar to their grid system. Utilities across the country typically use “conservative blanket limits” on the amount of renewable energy allowed on… Continue reading

Watershed Picture from BMP Flyer
Featured Article filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on Feb 5, 2013

MD Seminar on Compost BMPs for Watershed Protection

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/md-seminar-compost-bmps-watershed-protection/

Tools exist that can remove up to 96% of stormwater pollutants. Are you interested? Attend this FREE seminar on March 5, 2013, to learn how compost-based BMPs can dramatically reduce sediment and targeted pollutants entering the Chesapeake Bay. ILSR has partnered with local watershed and organizations to sponsor this event. Scientists from Filtrexx International and… Continue reading