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3rd_Party_PPA_map
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 2 Comments | Updated on May 9, 2012

Map of State 3rd Party PPA Rules

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/map-state-3rd-party-ppa-rules/

In lieu of smarter policy, schools, libraries, and city buildings hoping to install solar power have to resort to complex public-private partnerships to access federal tax incentives.  One common strategy is the power purchase agreement (PPA). In essence, a PPA allows the public building owner to buy solar electricity on contract from a third party… Continue reading

Solar parking lot canopy
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 8, 2012

Overturning the ’15% Rule’ Expands the Distributed Generation Opportunity in California

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/overturning-15-rule-expands-distributed-generation-opportunity-california/

If you haven’t heard yet, there’s a “rule” that precludes distributed renewable energy projects from supplying more than 15% of the power to most “distribution circuits” (part of the low-voltage electric grid that brings power into homes and businesses).  With the rapidly falling cost of solar power, many places in the country are starting to… Continue reading

good-bye-to-seattles-free-wi-fi
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 8, 2012

Good-Bye to Seattle’s Free Wi-Fi

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/good-bye-seattles-free-wi-fi

In 2005, Seattle started offering free Wi-Fi to several neighborhoods, hoping to increase usage among businesses, residents, and passers-by. While the effort was hailed by some, and criticized by others, it was an experiment in community broadband. An experiment that ended on April 29th. The City still considered the free Wi-Fi a pilot project, even… Continue reading

spirit-aerosystems-chooses-chanute
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 7, 2012

Spirit AeroSystems Chooses Chanute

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/spirit-aerosystems-chooses-chanute

We told you how Chanute, Kansas, was using their community network to serve local businesses. Now we want to share a story about how the community network helped bring a new business to Chanute. Chanute, who is named after Octave Chanute an aviation pioneer, adopts the motto “A Tadition of Innovation.” Chanute has proven that… Continue reading

exciting-upcoming-broadband-conferences-in-dc
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 7, 2012

Exciting Upcoming Broadband Conferences in DC

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/exciting-upcoming-broadband-conferences-dc

Our own Christopher Mitchell will be speaking at two upcoming events on broadband and the future of the Internet. First, Christopher will be at F2C: Freedom to Connect in Washington, D.C., on May 21-22nd. Christopher will be speaking on May 22nd on the “Fight for Community Broadband” Panel along with other notables from the Free… Continue reading

10000-square-miles-of-connections-in-north-dakota
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 4, 2012

10,000 Square Miles of Connections in North Dakota

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/10000-square-miles-connections-north-dakota

According to the 2010 Census, North Dakota is 48th in population in the country and the 17th most expansive. Such a geography is not appealing to any entity, commercial or otherwise, who might consider building fiber-to-the-home in North Dakota. There are more populated cities, as in all states, but human density in North Dakota is… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 7 Comments | Updated on May 4, 2012

Who Has the Most Cost-Effective Solar Feed-in Tariff?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/cost-effective-solar-feed-in-tariff/

In a forthcoming report on U.S. feed-in tariff programs, I’ll provide a comparison of solar feed-in tariff (FIT, a.k.a. CLEAN Contract) rates across the United States. Comparing published rates is not particularly helpful, however, because contract lengths vary (from 15 to 25 years) and the solar resource also varies widely.  For international comparisons (e.g. Germany), it’s… Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on May 4, 2012

Tea Party and NAACP Help Defeat Privatization Bill in Florida

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/tea-party-naacp-defeat-privatization-bill-florida/

Earlier this year, Florida’s Republican Governor and legislature proposed to privatize all 26 state prisons.  SB 2038 would have allowed privatization if a private company’s bid was at least 7 percent less than the state’s current cost. The bill would affect nearly 4,000 state workers.  Projected annual savings exceeded $16.5 million. Despite union opposition, the… Continue reading

obama and lbj
Featured Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | 1 Comment | Updated on May 3, 2012

Profiles in Political Courage

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

A few weeks ago Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA who is retiring from the House this year, gave a memorable interview to New York magazine in which he criticized President Obama for aggressively pushing health care reform.  Frank says he warned Obama the Democratic Party would pay “a terrible price.” Apparently Frank was not alone in… Continue reading

new-video-explains-community-broadband
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on May 3, 2012

New Video Explains Community Broadband

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/new-video-explains-community-broadband

We have developed a new video to explain why communities consider building their own broadband networks. Please pass it around, embed it in social media, and also remind people that we have a new report with in-depth case studies of community broadband! Video:  Continue reading