Back to top Jump to featured resources

Viewing all Articles Page 178 of 228

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 15, 2005

Report: High Value for Solar Power During Peak Times

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-high-value-solar-power-during-peak-times/

A recent report done for the Vote Solar Initiative shows that on-peak solar electricity has a value of between 23 and 35 cent per kilowatt-hour. The January 2005 report was authored by Ed Smeloff, formerly on the board of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and a long-time solar energy advocate.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 8, 2005

CPUC Moves to Protect Ratepayers from Future Greenhouse Gas Regulations

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/cpuc-moves-protect-ratepayers-future-greenhouse-gas-regulations/

A decision by the California PUC directs the state’s largest electric utilities to include CO2 costs between $8-25 per ton when evaluating the economics of future energy resource additions.

Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 8, 2005

Montana Considers Tax on Big-Box Stores

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

“That giant sucking sound you hear coming from the edge of town is the sound of money being taken out of your community by big-box stores,” said Montana Senator Ken Toole, who has introduced a bill that would levy a tax on the state’s big-box stores. The bill would impose a progressive tax on stores with more than $20 million in annual sales. Revenue of $20 to $30 million would be taxed at 1 percent. The tax would rise to 1.5 percent for revenue in excess of $30 million and 2 percent for any revenue over $40 million. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 3, 2005

Board Says No Transmission Line on County Land

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/board-says-no-transmission-line-county-land/

The Douglas, WI, County Board passed a resolution last night denying the use of county land for a controversial transmission line that has been proposed to run from Minnesota across Wisconsin. The line, know as Arrowhead-Weston, is a $420 million, 220-mile project proposed by the American Transmission Co. (ATC), Minnesota Power and Wisconsin Public Service.

Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 2, 2005

Instructive Lessons on Ethanol

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

ILSR’s vice president David Morris gives the West Wing writers a piece of his mind and gives the rest of us an important lesson on the renewable fuel called ethanol.

Critics of ethanol often used outdated information and unsubstantiated rumors in arguments against the renewable fuel. Myths about the negative aspects of ethanol have persisted for decades even though the vast majority of studies continue to show the environmental, security and economic development benefits that the fuel provides. My colleague David Morris’ recent column is instructive reading.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 1, 2005

FERC Issues Proposed Rules for Wind Power Interconnection

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ferc-issues-proposed-rules-wind-power-interconnection/

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is proposing to amend its regulations to require public utilities to include specific technical provisions for wind energy in their open access transmission tariffs (OATTs). The new rules will allow wind power projects to be integrated more firmly into the existing transmission system.

Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 1, 2005

Planning Tools for Curbing Chains and Nurturing Homegrown Businesses

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/planning-tools-curbing-chains-and-nurturing-homegrown-businesses/

By now, many community leaders recognize that when chain retail sprawls unchecked, main street loses, not just jobs and businesses, but the very essence of what makes the district unique. Small, independent businesses CAN prosper, however, when planners use the right tools to manage economic growth in the region. This month, we report on some of the most promising new regulatory strategies available. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 31, 2005

DG Technology Spotlight: Micro Hydropower

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

Small-scale and micro hydropower technologies are helping bring distributed electricity generation to remote areas around the world. The impacts on the environment are negligible and the economics are competitive. The worldwide market potential is fairly small in terms of overall megawatts (MWs) but for those locations without power today, a new micro-hydro system can make a tremendous difference in people’s lives.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jan 28, 2005

Minnesota Seeks 20 Percent Biofuels Requirement

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

Already a renewable fuels policy leader, the state of Minnesota is considering adopting a stricter mandate for biofuels content in the state’s gasoline supplies. Governor Pawlenty announced his support for a 20 percent ethanol content and a handful of bills have been introduced at the legislature to implement the goal.

Continue reading