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leverett-approves-broadband-initiative-in-small-new-england-town
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 2, 2012

Leverett Approves Broadband Initiative in Small New England Town

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/leverett-approves-broadband-initiative-small-new-england-town

Not long ago, we told you about Leverett, Massachusetts, the small town of 1,851, that has been discussing the possibility of building a community network. Residents and businesses currently use a combination of satellite, dial-up, DSL, and wireless, and about 6% of the population has no Internet access at all. People are tired of lost… Continue reading

Balancing Lady
Featured Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 2 Comments | Updated on May 1, 2012

Local Solar Could Solve ‘Massive Supply-Demand Imbalance’ in Renewable Energy Financing

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/massive-supply-demand-imbalance-for-solar-and-wind-project-financing/

In the next two years, the U.S. may get a lot less solar and wind power than it could. It’s not a shortage of solar panels or the cost of turbines.  Rather, it’s a problem of the perverse nature of federal incentives for renewable energy.  Right now, the owner of a solar or wind energy… Continue reading

Article filed under Waste to Wealth | Written by Neil Seldman | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2012

Review of Recent Articles in Forbes Magazine

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

Amy Westervelt has written two recent articles on why recycling is failing and how corporate America can save recycling.  (“Can Recycling Be Bad for the Environment?” and “How Corporate America Might Just Save Recycling”) The articles present anecdotes as facts and facts without proper analysis.  Much like the recent book Recycling Reconsidered by Samantha MacBride, Westervelt… Continue reading

ilsr-examines-iowa-rule-authorizing-municipal-networks
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2012

ILSR Examines Iowa Rule Authorizing Municipal Networks

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/ilsr-examines-iowa-rule-authorizing-municipal-networks

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has recently posted an examination of 1999 Iowa Act Chapter 63, which expressly allows municipal networks: Section 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the general assembly to specifically provide that cities of Iowa which create city utilities in the manner provided by law are authorized to provide on… Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Apr 30, 2012

In Montana the streams belong to the people. So far.

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/montana-streams-belong-people-far/

Montana, home to some of the world’s best fly fishing, is also home to the country’s most far reaching law protecting their stream and river commons. The catalyst was a 1984 ruling by the Montana Supreme Court that any river or stream capable of being used for recreation purposes such as fishing and floating, can… Continue reading

chelan-will-keep-its-network-as-is
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 30, 2012

Chelan Will Keep Its Network As Is

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/chelan-will-keep-its-network

As we reported in March, the Chelan County, Washington PUD was seeking input from the customer-owners of their open access fiber optic network to decide what the future would hold. The PUD had considered three options and presented them to the public:     •    sell the network    •    maintain ownership of the network, but improve… Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Biomaterials, Waste to Wealth | Written by Brenda Platt | No Comments | Updated on Apr 27, 2012

Green Matter: Bio-based Plastics Stand Up to Sustainability Scrutiny

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/green-matter-bio-based-plastics-stand-sustainability-scrutiny/

Plastics Today, April 27, 2012 A new study published by the Journal of Cleaner Production has attempted to evaluate the sustainability of availability of bioplastics based on criteria from 12 principles compiled by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative. The study, “Sustainability of bio-based plastics: general comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement,” used criteria including the pesticide use,… Continue reading

newton-north-carolina-is-one-big-hotspot
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 27, 2012

Newton, North Carolina Is One Big Hotspot

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/newton-north-carolina-one-big-hotspot

North Carolina infamously became the 19th state to enact barriers to community broadband, but we wrote about a loophole to it last year – communities can provide services for free without interference from the state capital. And starting last year, Newton, with 12,968 residents, began offering free Wi-Fi among 48 blocks and has plans to… Continue reading

walmart-mexico
Featured Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 27, 2012

The Walmart de Mexico Scandal: Here’s a Punishment that Befits the Crime

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

By bribing officials, Walmart was able to outpace its competitors, opening new stores so fast they had no time to react. In just a few years, Walmart came out of nowhere to dominate the Mexican economy. But, as any athlete or other competitor knows, if you’re caught cheating your way to a win, then you most certainly do not get to keep the prize. Continue reading

Article filed under The Public Good | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Apr 26, 2012

Michigan Republicans Deny Petition to Restore Democracy Because Font is Too Small

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/michigan-republicans-deny-petition-restore-democracy-font-small/

It’s hard to make this stuff up.  Last year the Michigan legislature passed a bill that gave the Governor the right to seize control of a city and insert a manager that had the authority to fire all workers, abrogate all contracts and privatize all public asset, all without the advice or consent of elected… Continue reading