Back to top Jump to featured resources

Viewing all Articles Page 6 of 228

Howard County ribbon cutting
Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Composting, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on Apr 22, 2013

Howard County’s Expanded Composting Facility Opens on Earth Day

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

Columbia Patch, April 22, 2013 It’s easy to think nothing of throwing carrot or potato peels into the trash or down the garbage disposal. They quickly decompose. But Howard County announced on Monday that residents can participate in an expanded pilot program that composts food scrap and yard waste. A new composting facility at the… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 21, 2013

Fiber to the Hilarity From Down Under

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/fiber-hilarity-down-under

Due to the many exciting developments in the U.S., we rarely have time to peek at interesting projects overseas, but Australia is experiencing a political fight over its ambitious open access network. The opposition party wants to cut the costs of the project by transforming it from a FTTH network to a FTTN project -… Continue reading

in-colorado-city-of-durango-does-dark-fiber
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 20, 2013

In Colorado, City of Durango Does Dark Fiber

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/colorado-city-durango-does-dark-fiber

This southwest Colorado community of about 17,000 contends with state barriers, but still makes the most of its fiber assets. We contacted Eric Pierson, Information Services Manager for the City of Durango, and Julie Brown, the City Finance Manager. The two shared some information on Durango’s fiber network. Currently, fifteen miles of City owned fiber run through… Continue reading

google-buys-provo-community-owned-network
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 19, 2013

Google Buys Provo Community-Owned Network

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/google-buys-provo-community-owned-network

I just left the Broadband Communities Summit in Dallas, where I ran into many people doing great work to ensure everyone has access to affordable, reliable, and fast Internet networks. Also while there, Google announced it had reached an agreement to offer Google Fiber in Provo by purchasing the municipal FTTH network. Provo has long… Continue reading

google-to-lease-linkcity-fiber-in-missouri
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 18, 2013

Google to Lease liNKCity Fiber in Missouri

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/google-lease-linkcity-fiber-missouri

Google Fiber is leasing fiber for transport from a small municipal FTTH network in North Kansas City. A recent Kansas City Business Journal article reports that Google finalized a deal with City Council for a 20-year agreement worth $3.2 million to lease fiber from liNKCity. This was more convenient for Google than laying (or attaching) its… Continue reading

259764912_4c6bae4df3_0-1
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 18, 2013

600 Investors in South Dakota’s Premier Community Wind Project: Episode 7 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/600-investors-south-dakotas-premier-community-wind-project-episode-7-local-energy-rules-podcast/

In this episode of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell speaks to Brian Minish, CEO of South Dakota Wind Partners about a community wind project that attracted over 600 local investors.  The project was the brainchild of four state organizations rooted in rural South Dakota–the East River Electric Cooperative, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Farmers… Continue reading

city-and-school-district-team-up-for-fiber-in-royal-oak-michigan
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 18, 2013

City and School District Team Up for Fiber in Royal Oak, Michigan

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/city-and-school-district-team-fiber-royal-oak-michigan

The City of Royal Oak, Michigan, a Detroit suburb and home to 57,000 residents, just announced it will be partnering with the school district to build a fiber optic network. According to the Royal Oak Patch, the cost is estimated at $400,000 and will link together eight city facilities and nine school buildings. According to… Continue reading

Xcel Energy should use solar for peak power
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 4 Comments | Updated on Apr 17, 2013

New Peak Power Capacity Should Use Solar, Not Gas

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

It’s parochial, since I’m a Minnesota resident, but I just can’t stand that our state’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, is planning to use ratepayer money to buy three new natural gas fired peaking plants instead of a) installing solar power or b) supporting the proposed solar energy standard.  Share the graphic below if you agree:… Continue reading

V sign
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

truth stretched
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