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Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Nov 5, 2007

Improving the Efficiency of Minnesota’s Industries

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/improving-efficiency-minnesotas-industries/

This November 2007 report by David Morris and Ann Robertson evaluates the evaluates that issue by analyzing the impact of the proposed $1.5 billion tax shift legislation, the Economic Efficiency and Pollution Reduction Act (EEPRA) on Minnesota’s most energy-intensive business sectors and estimating the potential for those sectors to offset any increased tax burden through cost-effective efficiency improvements.

Under EEPRA, energy-intensive businesses would pay higher net taxes while energy-efficient businesses would pay lower net taxes. While this is an intended outcome of the tax shift, businesses in Minnesota are concerned that the tax shift could impose a competitive burden on certain sectors. 

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Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Oct 23, 2007

Electric Avenue – PHEVs in Travel+Leisure Magazine

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/electric-avenue-phevs-travelleisure-magazine/

A new kind of hybrid uses less gas and more electricity. All-electric cars are already here. What will this mean for the road trip of the future? ILSR’s David Morris plugs in and gives us a little history lesson of the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

Read the full story at Travel+LeisureMagazine

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 15, 2007

New California Law Hopes For Dramatic Expansion of Solar Hot Water Systems

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-california-law-hopes-dramatic-expansion-solar-hot-water-systems/

The California Solar Water Heating and Efficiency Act of 2007 (AB 1470), creates a 10-year program aimed at installing 200,000 solar water heaters in homes and businesses using a $250 million fund. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Oct 5, 2007

Electric Avenue – PHEVs in Travel+Leisure Magazine

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/electric-avenue-phevs-travelleisure-magazine-2/

A new kind of hybrid uses less gas and more electricity. All-electric cars are already here. What will this mean for the road trip of the future? ILSR’s David Morris plugs in and gives us a little history lesson of the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). This article by David Morris appeared in the October 2007 issue of Travel + Leisure. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 12, 2007

Enhancing On-Site Solar Using Reasonable City Fees

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/enhancing-onsite-solar-using-reasonable-city-fees/

A survey in northern California reveals a wide range of fees assessed to homeowners that install on-site solar power systems. The Sierra Club’s Loma Prieta, S.F. Bay and Redwood chapters compared the charges and fees in 131 municipalities. The report recommends on that a $300 fee is an appropriate ceiling level that would comply with state law.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 16, 2007

Column: On Renewable Energy, Go Local

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

This column by ILSR’s John Farrell argues that in their desire to expand renewable-energy production, activists and policymakers focus almost entirely on “more,” rather than “better.” Twenty-seven states have renewable-energy standards, requiring utilities to produce or sell 10, 20, even 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources in the next two decades. The U.S. Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 15, 2007

On renewable energy, go local

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

On renewable energy, go local A focus on output in gallons and megawatts leads to large-scale ethanol plants and wind farms. Such facilities aren’t the most beneficial, nor even the most efficient. By John Farrell, originally published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 15, 2007 In the past two years, renewable energy has catapulted to… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 14, 2007

Woodruff Cooperative Pairs Up With Farmers to Collectively Save Members Money

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/woodruff-cooperative-pairs-farmers-collectively-save-members-money/

Through and attractive pricing arrangement, the Woodruff Electric Cooperative has enticed nearly 85 percent of area farmers to allow their irrigation systems to be shut off when electricity demand is high. The program certainly benefits the participating farmers but the other member owners also save since the cooperative can reduce its need to purchase expensive peak power during critical times of the year.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 7, 2007

Report: Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-wind-and-ethanol-economies-and-diseconomies-scale/

Congress and most state legislatures have or are developing renewable energy policies with a single objective: get more renewables. Our new study, Wind and Ethanol: Economies and Diseconomies of Scale, finds that this single minded focus ignores the potential economic benefits from locally owned and more modestly scaled facilities. The focus should on better renewable energy projects not simply more.

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 26, 2007

Small Wind Could Grow If Incentives Put On Par With Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/small-wind-could-grow-if-incentives-put-par-solar/

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently released the results from their Small Wind Turbine Global Market Study, reporting that high up —front costs are preventing small wind systems from reaching their growth potential. The small wind industry has been experiencing annual growth in the range of 14-25% since 1985. AWEA says that Increased federal incentives could double the growth rate. Continue reading