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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

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Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 26, 2012

Utilities Facing a Distributed Generation Future?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/utilities-facing-distributed-generation-future/

IntelligentUtility.com, April 26, 2012 Yesterday, I suggested that you meet John Farrell, who directs the Energy Self-Reliant States and Communities program at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. He focuses on energy policies that expand the benefits of local ownership of distributed generation, particularly renewable energy. That column, “Power Utilities’ Morphing Future,” got plenty of thoughtful… Continue reading

recent-articles-show-alec-and-south-carolina-pushing-to-limit-community-broadband
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 25, 2012

Recent Articles show ALEC and South Carolina Pushing to Limit Community Broadband

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/recent-articles-show-alec-and-south-carolina-pushing-limit-community-broadband

Community Broadband networks are increasingly getting the attention they deserve as an option for communities that want better, more accountable connections to the Internet. We have long been warning about an AT&T-pushed bill in South Carolina to make it even harder for communities in that state to build the infrastructure AT&T has long neglected. But… Continue reading

cns-in-southern-georgia-brings-communities-together
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 25, 2012

CNS In Southern Georgia Brings Communities Together

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/cns-southern-georgia-brings-communities-together

Step across the county line in Thomas County, Georgia and you will be in Florida. Its county seat, Thomasville, has been chosen as a one of the best places to retire. Thomasville’s website is filled with pics of grand white pillared porches, rose gardens, and long winding paths lined with graceful oaks. It strikes me… Continue reading

Value Chain of Local Ownership
Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 2 Comments | Updated on Apr 24, 2012

The More Local the Energy, the More Valuable

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

Local ownership of a wind project accounts for half of its lifetime economic value to the community!   From: Value Creation for Local Communities through Renewable Energies [pdf] Continue reading

state-by-state-campaign-to-gut-consumer-telecom-protections
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 24, 2012

State by State Campaign to Gut Consumer Telecom Protections

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/state-state-campaign-gut-consumer-telecom-protections

In most states, telephone companies are required to serve everyone and when there are problems with the service, the state can mandate that the company fix them. But AT&T and ALEC are leading the charge to let these massive companies decide for themselves who should have access to a telephone, taking state regulators out of… Continue reading

let-the-fcc-know-that-you-support-expanding-community-radio
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 24, 2012

Let The FCC Know That You Support Expanding Community Radio

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/let-fcc-know-you-support-expanding-community-radio-0

As we recently reported, the FCC has made changes to clear the airwaves for more low power radio stations. The Prometheus Radio Project, instrumental in that decision, hosted an April webinar to help interested groups learn about the application project. Community radio orgainzations can obtain waivers to get on the air, but there is a… Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 20, 2012

Is Today’s Energy Policy “Saving the Buggy Whip”?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/todays-energy-policy-saving-buggy-whip/

The editor’s column from the March 2012 edition of Public Utilities Fortnightly describes how policy inertia can hamper distributed renewable energy development.  To illustrate, Michael T. Burr draws on the history of the automobile: When the first Model-Ts sputtered down the street, few people could’ve imagined the remarkable transformations they’d bring. Instead, they only saw… Continue reading