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, Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 6 Comments | Updated on Oct 17, 2012

Too Big to Lend

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

A critical function of our banking system is financing small businesses. But big banks are doing a rotten job of it. At the nation’s largest banks, small business lending has plunged 33% since 2009. Trying to cajole or compel them to do more won’t make much difference because the problem is largely inherent to their scale. 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 | 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

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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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

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

Featured Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 6, 2013

“The Monopoly Magnate”

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

ILSR is following HB 282, restrictive legislation moving through the Georgia General Assembly. The bill would effectively end the ability for existing networks to expand. Communities considering investing in their own telecommunications networks would face almost insurmountable financial and practical hurdles. As the bill is heavily lobbied by incumbent telecom giants, local leaders make the… 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, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 21, 2013

Steve Johnson: Episode 3 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/steve-johnson-episode-3-local-energy-rules-podcast/

In this edition of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell and Wade Underwood speak with Steve Johnson of Convergence Energy about a successful 660 kilowatt community solar project near Delavan, WI. The project required 33 separate LLCs to take advantage of the state’s net metering rules, and also used the limited-time federal cash grant program to… Continue reading

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 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 filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Mar 27, 2013

Why Walmart’s Death Grip on Our Food System Is Intensifying Poverty

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/walmarts-death-grip-food-system-intensifying-poverty/

When Michelle Obama visited a Walmart in Springfield, Missouri, a few weeks ago to praise the company’s efforts to sell healthier food, she did not say why she chose a store in Springfield of all cities. But, in ways that Obama surely did not intend, it was a fitting choice. This Midwestern city provides a chilling look at where Walmart wants to take our food system. 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

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

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 Jan 4, 2013

Who Should Pay the Costs of Climate Disasters?

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

Who should pay the costs of climate disasters? In light of the current debate in the United States about federal assistance to Hurricane Sandy victims and the recent debate at the recent Doha Climate Conference about international assistance for climate change victims, that has become an increasingly pressing question for humankind. The frequency and cost… 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 Waste to Wealth, Zero Waste & Economic Development | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jan 21, 2013

New Mexico Recycling Industry Poised to Add 5,000 Jobs

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/nm-recycling-industry-poised-add-5000-jobs/

A new report released by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition (NMRC) details the estimated number of jobs in the recycling industry and predicts how many jobs could be gained through increased recycling activities. It is estimated that close to 5,000 new direct, indirect and induced jobs will be created in New Mexico when the state recycling rate reaches 34%. Continue reading

Viewing all Articles Page 55 of 231

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 23, 2012

Christopher Talks with Santa Cruz’s KSCO 1080 AM

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/christopher-talks-santa-cruzs-ksco-1080-am

Michael Zwerling, of Santa Cruz’s KSCO 1080 AM, was looking for an expert on broadband so he contacted our own Christopher Mitchell. The June 2 conversation involved questions from Michael, his co-host, and listeners and covered municipal and community broadband, accessibility, WiFi networks, and more. The interview runs about 1 hour. Interview-KSCO.mp3 Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Jun 22, 2012

“We’re not going to attack the people who have been there for us.”

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

Every June the Campaign for America’s Future hosts the well-attended and content-rich Take Back America Conference in Washington, D.C. This year Van Jones, one of the most dynamic speakers in America, with a list of accomplishments long enough that I’ll simply refer you to Wikipedia, delivered an inspiring Keynote Address in which he offered his… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 21, 2012

Legislative Alert: Oppose California’s SB 1161

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/legislative-alert-oppose-californias-sb-1161

Sean McLaughlin from the New America Foundation and Access Humbolt alerted us to HB 1161, an AT&T and ALEC driven bill to scale back state regulation of Internet services. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-SD20, San Fernando Valley) is a co-author of the bill, introduced in February and moving steadily forward. Sean tells us: On Monday, the… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 21, 2012

Farmington, New Mexico Exploring Fiber Options

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/farmington-new-mexico-exploring-fiber-options

Farmington, New Mexico, currently has 80 miles of fiber and has decided to consider the best way to get the most out of the investment. The City uses the fiber network strictly for its Farmington Electric Utility System but sees potential in maximizing the power of the unused strands. Earlier this year, they commissioned a… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2012

Justice Department Abets Amazon’s E-Book Monopoly

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

For years, Amazon has used its size and market power to bully publishers and keep other retailers from competing in the e-book market. And, for years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has done nothing to constrain Amazon’s abuses or bring about a more competitive marketplace. So it was quite a shock last month when… Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2012

States Try Variants of Feed-In Tariff to Help Connect Solar, Wind Power to Grid

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/states-variants-feed-in-tariff-connect-solar-wind-power-grid/

E&E News – Tuesday, June 19, 2012 While much of the renewable energy sector remains focused on extending federal tax credits for wind, solar and other alternative fuels, utilities and small-scale energy producers in more than a dozen states are forging ahead with programs that pay renewable energy producers a fixed rate for power they… Continue reading

Martin County Fiber Network Report Cover

Article, ILSR Press Room, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2012

Florida Fiber: How Martin County Saves Big with Gigabit Network

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

Martin County, Florida, is saving millions of dollars because it built a county-owned fiber optic network rather than continuing to lease connections from Comcast. ILSR’s latest report, Florida Fiber: Martin County Saves Big with Gigabit Network, reveals how Martin County transformed the threat of a near ten-fold cost increase for its telecom budget into cost… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2012

Rural Reality: Waiting One Month for Basic Telephone Service in New House

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/rural-reality-waiting-one-month-basic-telephone-service-new-house

Yesterday, we released our first podcast – a short discussion with Linda Kramer of the Sibley-Renville Fiber project in rural Minnesota. When I happened across their Facebook page this morning, I found this perfect example of why the project is necessary (and they gave us permission to reprint it): One of my friends moved from… Continue reading

Article, Resource filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 19, 2012

New Podcast Series On Community Broadband Networks

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

MuniNetworks.org just launched its new podcast series – Community Broadband Bits. Listeners can use smartphones, iPods, computers, the web, etc. to hear the recurring audio program. Each podcast will be 10-15 minute interviews with people doing interesting things to encourage community broadband networks. To subscribe with iTunes, click here. If you simply want the audio… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Jun 19, 2012

First Community Broadband Bits Podcast – Sibley County Fiber to the Farm

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/first-community-broadband-bits-podcast-sibley-county-fiber-farm

In our excitement to produce this podcast, we forgot to credit Fit and the Conniptions for the intro/outro music. Much thanks for releasing their music under a creative commons license that allows us to use it for this purpose. If you like their sound, buy an album! We have decided to start a podcast- a… Continue reading

Overview

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

Free Checking is Rare at Big Banks, Common at Small

Overview

Atlanta Airport Launches Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet

Exemptions/Exclusions Added to Atlanta Airport Info Packet

Overview

North Carolina Legislator Accused of Favoring Time Warner Cable

Broadband at the Speed of Light

“The Monopoly Magnate”

Overview

Steve Johnson: Episode 3 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

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

How a City Can Get More Clean, Local Energy

Overview

Why Walmart’s Death Grip on Our Food System Is Intensifying Poverty

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

How Walmart is Devouring the Food System (Infographic)

Overview

Who Should Pay the Costs of Climate Disasters?

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

New Mexico Recycling Industry Poised to Add 5,000 Jobs

Strengthening communities for more than 35 years!

Viewing all Articles Page 55 of 231

Christopher Talks with Santa Cruz’s KSCO 1080 AM

“We’re not going to attack the people who have been there for us.”

Legislative Alert: Oppose California’s SB 1161

Farmington, New Mexico Exploring Fiber Options

Justice Department Abets Amazon’s E-Book Monopoly

States Try Variants of Feed-In Tariff to Help Connect Solar, Wind Power to Grid

Florida Fiber: How Martin County Saves Big with Gigabit Network

Rural Reality: Waiting One Month for Basic Telephone Service in New House

New Podcast Series On Community Broadband Networks

First Community Broadband Bits Podcast – Sibley County Fiber to the Farm

Thank you for your interest in ILSR