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Presidential Campaign Spending
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/presidential-campaign-spending/Source: Mother Jones Continue reading
Distributed Generation Hits Sweet Spot in Cost v. Transmission
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/distributed-generation-hits-sweet-spot-in-cost-v-transmission/Update 3/27/12: added clarification to text and chart that prices include federal tax incentives If the cost of electricity were the only factor in energy discussions, we’d probably have a lot more coal and a lot less renewable energy. But the truth is that renewable energy can compete on cost and distributed renewable energy has… Continue reading
Beyond Access: Owning Community Broadband Audio Discussion
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/beyond-access-owning-community-broadband-audio-discussion Two weeks ago, I joined a conference call hosted by the Media Action Grassroots Network discussing community ownership of broadband networks.
In the last few years local communities, governme… Continue reading
Compostable Plastics 101: Overview & Issues
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/compostable-plastics-101-overview-issues/This presentation covers the basics of compostable plastics: what they are (and are not), where they are being successfully used, key challenges such as identification and labeling, and certification and standards. Presentation at the 2nd Annual Composting Plastics Symposium US Composting Council Conference & Trade Show January 21, 2012 Austin, Texas Continue reading
Recycling and Deconstruction Resource Links
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/recycling-and-deconstruction-resource-links/These links are useful to anyone interested in advancing composting, recycling or deconstruction. Continue reading
Knoxville News Station Envious of Chattanooga Fiber Network
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/knoxville-news-station-envious-chattanooga-fiber-networkThe following news report suggests that some in Knoxville, Tennessee, are starting to get a little jealous of the incredible FTTH network built by Chattanooga’s publicly owned electric company…. Continue reading
Broadband Blindness Documentary
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/broadband-blindness-documentaryA new documentary from California explores the failure of the private sector and competition more generally to sufficiently invest in fast, affordable, and reliable access to the Internet. It comes in three parts and runs about 25 minutes in tot… Continue reading
Big Box Tool Kit
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/big-box-tool-kit/This tool kit provides guidance on how to block big-box development in your community, including tips on how to form an effective citizens group, fact sheets to help educate your neighbors and elected officials, and advice on intervening in the land use review process. Continue reading
Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/key-studies-walmart-and-bigbox-retail/We have compiled the best research on how big-box retailers and independent businesses affect communities and local economies. You will find summaries of the findings of dozens of studies that examine the impact of Walmart and other big retailers on jobs, small businesses, tax revenue, poverty rates, and more, as well as research on the social and economic contributions of independent businesses. Continue reading
John Farrell Talks Democratizing the Electricity System Through Decentralizing Power on WKBM
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/john-farrell-talks-democratizing-electricity-system-through-decentralizing-power-wkbm/In this Nov. 20 interview with Baruch on his WKBM Paradigms program, we talked about: The coming decentralization of the electricity system The folly of a building inherently decentralized technology (wind and solar) in a centralized fashion The benefits for local ownership of a decentralized system How limited economies of scale for solar and wind… Continue reading
Austin Approves New Zero Waste Plan
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/austin-approves-new-zero-waste-plan/At its meeting on Dec. 15th, 2011, the Austin City Council unanimously approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, a long-term plan that empowers the Austin community to achieve a drastic reduction in the amount of trash landfilled and aim for zero waste. In 2009, City Council passed Texas’ first Zero Waste Plan and set… Continue reading
Deconstruction: Career Ladder, Curriculum and Job Descriptions
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/deconstruction-career-ladder-curriculum-job-descriptions/Deconstruction is an environmentally-friendly method of demolition, focusing on the disassembly of buildings in order to recover and re-use construction materials. Deconstruction work provides job opportunities to relatively low-skilled participants, helping them build a work history and work habits while learning basic construction-site skills. The information in this packet from the Employment and Training Administration,… Continue reading
John Farrell Talks Renewable Energy Incentives and Boulder’s Municipal Energy Effort with Tom McKinnon on KGNU
The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/john-farrell-talks-renewable-energy-incentives-and-boulders-municipal-energy-effort-tom-mcki/In this short interview on KGNU’s science show – How on Earth– with Tom McKinnon, we talk about: the problems presented for local ownership of energy resources when federal incentives use the tax code, the trouble for clean energy when it’s reliant on Wall Street, how Boulder, CO, may accomplish something remarkable with its vote… Continue reading
