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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 7, 2005

Gas Optional Vehicles: Austin Energy Charges Ahead

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/gas-optional-vehicles-austin-energy-charges-ahead/

Preferring the term “gas-optional” vehicles rather than plug-in electric hybrids, Austin Energy has adopted a strategy to diversify and grow its electric utility operations and hopes to convince cities nationwide to follow their lead.

Roger Duncan at Austin Energy is traveling the country promoting the idea that the time is ripe for a convergence of municipally owned electrical operations with the transportation sector. The fit becomes natural through the increased use of gas-optional vehicles (GOVs).

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 31, 2005

Citizens in Charlevoix, Michigan, Block Wal-Mart, Win Size Limits

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/citizens-charlevoix-michigan-block-walmart-win-size-limits/

Grassroots groups that form to fight big-box development proposals often dissolve after winning or losing on that particular project. But a citizens group in Charlevoix, Michigan, called This is Our Town, kept on working. Now, one year after successfully pressuring Wal-Mart to drop plans for a supercenter, the group is celebrating new zoning rules that will limit future big-box development. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 19, 2005

FERC Adds Another Standard for DG Interconnection

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ferc-adds-another-standard-dg-interconnection/

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has adopted standard rules for interconnecting distributed generation (DG) projects of 20 MW or less with the electricity grid. These new rules will operate alongside FERC’s previously issued rules that govern interconnections of DG projects larger than 20 MW. FERC also has an ongoing proceeding that is developing special rules for interconnecting wind energy projects with the grid [see FERC's Generation Interconnection web site].

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 19, 2005

Washington Laws Encourages Locally Manufactured DG Equipment

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/washington-laws-encourages-locally-manufactured-dg-equipment/

Two proposals unanimously passed by the legislature and signed into law earlier this month by Washington’s Governor, Christine Gregoire, should put distributed generation and renewable energy on the fast track in the state. The first bill (SB 5101) establishes a renewable energy production incentive that is larger if the equipment comes from in-state manufacturers. The second bill (SB 5111) provides corporate tax breaks for solar energy businesses in the state based on their sales.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 12, 2005

Minnesota Passes 20 Percent Ethanol Mandate

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/minnesota-passes-20-percent-ethanol-mandate/

On May 10th, Minnesota’s Governor signed a bill into law that could result in a requirement that the state’s gasoline supplies contain 20 percent ethanol (E-20). If the rules go into effect, it would double the current 10 percent ethanol blends that are now standard throughout the state.

Under the legislation, a new E-20 mandate would take effect in 2013 unless ethanol has already replaced 20 percent of the state’s motor vehicle fuel by 2010. The rule would expire at the end of 2010 if Minnesota is not granted federal approval to use E-20 gasoline blends.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 10, 2005

Neighborhood Retailers Aim to Keep New York Wal-Mart Free

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/neighborhood-retailers-aim-keep-new-york-walmart-free/

The entry of Wal-Mart into New York City is the biggest challenge to neighborhood businesses and local communities in our city’s history, contends the Neighborhood Retail Alliance, which has been an advocate for New York City’s locally owned businesses for the past twenty years. Continue reading

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Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 8, 2005

New Rules Project Receives the 2005 National Main Street Civic Leadership Award

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-rules-project-receives-2005-national-main-street-civic-leadership-award/

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has presented its 2005 Main Street Civic Leadership Award to the New Rules Project, a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR). The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the commercial district revitalization movement by an organization or individual working in the public policy arena. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on May 4, 2005

Independent Theaters Fight Chains for Access to Hit Movies

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independent-theaters-fight-chains-access-hit-movies/

At the request of independent movie theaters across the state, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is investigating claims that major movie theater chains use their clout with distributors to prevent independent theaters from showing many of the most popular first-run films. At issue is a common industry practice called clearance, whereby theaters are given exclusive rights to show a film within a certain radius around their theaters. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 2, 2005

An Assessment of Solar Power on Rooftops

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

In March 2005, the Energy Foundation released a study prepared for them by Navigant Consulting and Clean Energy Research. The study was completed in September 2004 and claims to be the first of its kind to do an assessement and estimate of the rooftop solar photovoltaic market potential on a state-by-state basis.

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Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2005

Watching minutes, ignoring hours

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

Watching minutes, ignoring hours by David Morris Originally published in Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 1, 2005 A few years ago the following tongue-in-cheek economics lesson made the rounds of mainstream news journals: Bill Gates would lose money if, on his way to work, he stopped to pick up a $100 bill. Why? Over his business… Continue reading