Back to top Jump to featured resources

Viewing the Electricity tag archive Page 16 of 30

Term for Energy

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 17, 2009

CapX Transmission Line Decision Ignored Current Economic Realities

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/capx-transmission-line-decision-ignored-current-economic-realities/

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) and the North American Water Office (NAWO) find today’s decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve nearly $2 billion in ratepayer money for 650 miles of new high voltage transmission lines (known as CapX) to be willfully shortsighted.  The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision represents a slap in the face to Minnesota ratepayers and deals another setback for building a homegrown, decentralized energy future.
Continue reading

feedinamerica.png
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Apr 14, 2009

Report: Feed-in Tariffs in America

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-feedin-tariffs-america/

There’s a renewable energy policy with a record of incredible success, so why aren’t we using it in America?  Our April 2009 paper briefly explores the history of feed-in tariffs (FITs) in Europe – the rise and fall of this policy in Denmark and the rise and rise of FITs in Germany – and then outlines why it would be a much simpler, more cost-effective, and better economic driver for reaching America’s renewable energy goals.

American renewable energy policy consists of a byzantine mix of tax incentives, rebates, state mandates, and utility programs.  The complexity of the system results in more difficult and costly renewable electricity generation, and hampers the ability of states and communities to maximize the benefits of their renewable energy resources.

Continue reading

berkeleylogo.jpg
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Sep 17, 2008

Berkeley Financing Program Brings Renewable Energy Home

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/berkeley-financing-program-brings-renewable-energy-home/

With has the potential to become one of the nation’s fastest spreading local renewable energy programs, the Berkeley city council last night voted unanimously to use the city’s bonding authority to finance rooftop solar on residential properties. The city will pay the upfront costs and property owners will repay those costs over 20 years through a special assessment on their property tax bills. If a person moves, the solar system will stay at the property and the new owners will assume the remaining years of the assessment.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by David Morris | No Comments | Updated on Aug 6, 2008

Electric Cars Are the Key to Energy Independence

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/electric-cars-are-key-energy-independence/

ILSR vice president, David Morris, responds to Al Gore’s recent speech proposing a 10 year effort to move the United States to a 100% renewable energy electric system to address three major crises: the weak economy, catastrophic climate change and the dire national security problems inherent in our dependence on imported oil. Morris says that Gore got got two out of three right. Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 19, 2008

New Powerline Study Finds that Local Wind Energy Generation Can Avoid the Need for New Lines

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-powerline-study-finds-local-wind-energy-generation-can-avoid-need-new-lines/

A study released this week in Minnesota shows there is an abundant opportunity for new community-based energy development (C-BED) throughout Minnesota.

Continue reading

concentratingsolarcoversm.jpg
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 4, 2008

Report: Concentrating Solar and Decentralized Power: Government Incentives Hinder Local Ownership

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-concentrating-solar-and-decentralized-power-government-incentives-hinder-local-ownership/

Can residential rooftop solar compete with new utility-scale concentrating solar electric plants? Only if federal and state incentives are amended to level the playing field. This May 2008 report explores the economics of solar PV and concentrating solar and shows how local ownership is hindered unless government solar incentives change.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2008

Federal Energy Incentives Are Drifting in the Wind

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/federal-energy-incentives-are-drifting-wind/

A wind turbine can power up to 600 homes, but 600 homeowners can’t get together to own a wind turbine. Why? Because federal law makes local ownership virtually impossible. The federal wind-energy incentives — up for renewal this year — discriminate against local ownership and favor absentee ownership. They also severely restrict the number of investors who can finance wind-energy generators.

Continue reading

dm.jpg
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 28, 2008

Distributed Energy First, Wait On New Transmission Lines

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/distributed-energy-first-wait-new-transmission-lines/

A debate between advocates of distributed and centralized renewable energy systems is just beginning. It is overdue. Consideration of scale in renewable energy systems has been delayed in part because we first had to bring solar energy in all its forms to market, and in part because the distributed nature of renewable energy resources seemed inexorably to lead to their being harnessed in distributed fashion.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Apr 10, 2008

Report: Federal Barriers Are Limiting Renewable Energy Ownership Opportunities

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/report-federal-barriers-are-limiting-renewable-energy-ownership-opportunities/

A typical 2 megawatt wind turbine provides enough electricity for around 600 average American homes. So why is it nearly impossible for those same 600 households to pool their resources and own a wind turbine?

A new policy brief by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) shows how removing two barriers to owning and investing in renewable energy projects can pave the way for true energy independence.

Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Mar 18, 2008

UK Home Buyers Will Get Substantive Energy and Environmental Information

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/uk-home-buyers-will-get-substantive-energy-and-environmental-information/

Regulations coming into force in April and May 2008 will bring a wealth of energy and environmental information to homebuyers in the United Kingdom. Potential buyers will get an Energy Performance Certificate and a mandatory comparison of the new home to the requirements contained in the UK’s Code for Sustainable Homes as part of home information packets (HIPs) prior to purchasing the home.

Continue reading