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Cheering over new solar installation
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2013

The One Thing Obama’s Climate Policy Can’t Leave Out

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

When President Obama unveils his climate policy proposal in the coming days, he should focus on the one key element of successful climate and energy policy.  It’s not about utilities or incentives or numbers, it’s about ownership. Climate-protecting energy policy succeeds when communities can keep their energy dollars local by directly owning and profiting from… Continue reading

Population at Grid Parity and Residential Rooftop Solar MW
Article filed under Energy | Written by Wade | No Comments | Updated on Jun 18, 2013

The Solar Opportunity

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

The coming of solar grid parity offers an opportunity for millions of Americans to go solar affordably. But it also means a potential transformation, a democratization of an electricity system long domi- nated by centrally-controlled utilities and centralized ownership and production of electricity. When solar can undercut grid electricity prices, it may also undercut this… Continue reading

cityofdentonlogo
Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Jun 11, 2013

Texas Muni Utility Explains How They Are Already 40% Renewable

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/texas-muni-utility-explains-40-renewable/

In 2011, Boulder citizens voted to have their city take over the electric utility, joining 1 in 7 Americans served by municipal electric utilities.  The process (which will take 3-5 years) continues. In April 2013, the city council again voted to move forward, inspired this time by the example of Denton, TX, a municipal utility… Continue reading

vermonts-ecfiber-to-expand-this-summer
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 5, 2013

Vermont’s ECFiber to Expand This Summer

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/vermonts-ecfiber-expand-summer

Good news for Vermonters who want connectivity from the East Central Vermont Fiber Optic Network (ECFiber). The community owned network recently raised another $430,000 from local investors who purchased tax-exempt promissory notes. As a result, the nonprofit can now expand another 20 miles. Approximately 100 more households and businesses will soon have access. Twenty-three towns belong… Continue reading

ontario FIT expect delays cover
Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 20, 2013

Expect Delays: Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/expect-delays-reviewing-ontarios-buy-local-renewable-energy-program/

Launched in 2009, Ontario’s “buy local” Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program promised to deliver hundreds of megawatts of new renewable energy and create 50,000 new jobs by the end of 2012. The program has had some notable achievements, and the province has worked hard to remedy some of the remaining roadblocks to success. The bottom line… Continue reading

Expect Delays - Presentation on Ontario FIT 2013.001
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 20, 2013

Expect Delays: a Presentation Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/expect-delays-presentation-reviewing-ontarios-buy-local-renewable-energy-program/

Ontario’s landmark “buy local” renewable energy Feed-In Tariff program launched in late 2009.  After four years, the program has created thousands of jobs, helped close coal-fired power plants and made energy producers of many Ontarians.  But roadblocks remain, and changes are needed.  The following presentation outlines the program, its goals and accomplishments, and the barriers… Continue reading

Ontario Feed-In Tariff Promotes Democratic Energy
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 20, 2013

Democratic Energy from Ontario’s ‘Buy Local’ Renewable Energy Program [Infographic]

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

Read more in Expect Delays: Reviewing Ontario’s “Buy Local” Renewable Energy Program Continue reading

Joy Hughes
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 17, 2013

A Community Solar Gold Standard: Episode 9 of Local Energy Rules Podcast

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/community-solar-gold-standard-episode-9-local-energy-rules-podcast/

Joy Hughes was living in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, a place with a “tremendous amount of solar potential,” so good that the valley’s residents were being overwhelmed by proposals for large scale solar power plants. One had a “field of things like radar dishes” and another included a “600 foot tower.” The influx… Continue reading

germany people powered 2012.003
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on May 15, 2013

Half of Germany’s 63,000 Megawatts of Renewable Energy is Locally Owned

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/germanys-63000-megawatts-renewable-energy-locally-owned/

Courtesy of Craig Morris and the Germany Renewable Energy industry, evidence that Germany’s renewable energy program remains people powered.  Total megawatts represent wind and solar only. Continue reading

community renewable energy presentation - sustainable economies law center.001
Featured Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on May 3, 2013

5 Barriers to and Solutions for Community Renewable Energy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/5-barriers-solutions-community-renewable-energy/

Community renewable energy has significant political and economic benefits, but is often hindered by five major barriers. Watch this vividly illustrated presentation to learn how communities can overcome the barriers and advance more local renewable energy. ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell gave this presentation as part of a Sustainable Economies Law Center webinar on April… Continue reading