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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Apr 2, 2012

Tornado Destroys Homes, Cable Companies Charge Homeowners

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tornado-destroys-homes-cable-companies-charge-homeowners

When a tornado rips your town apart and destroys your home, should you have to pay extra fees to your cable provider? Of course not. But we continue to see these news stories about massive cable companies ripping off people who are just trying to find the energy to get by day to day. Last… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 28, 2012

States Scream at Feds for Preempting, Then Preempt Cities

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/states-scream-feds-preempting-then-preempt-cities

Here at muninetworks.org, we continually see instances of state government preempting rights of local government to make their own decisions on broadband. It was no surprise to us to read Josh Goodman’s recent Stateline.org article, GOP Legislatures Try to Limit Local Government’s Power. Goodman takes a look at a disturbing trend in the relationships between… Continue reading

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

How Boulder Freed its Electric Company

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

Yes Magazine, March 26, 2012 Running their own utility means sun and wind energy instead of coal. by Valerie Schloredt The Boulder-Denver “Power Past Fossil Fuels” bike ride in September served also as a rally for the local utility initiative. Photo by Zane Selvans. The city of Boulder, Colo., has won the right to take… Continue reading

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

ILSR’s John Farrell Discusses How Solar Can Compete With Utilities

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ilsrs-john-farrell-discusses-how-solar-can-compete-with-utilities-on-mpr-org/

Minnesota Public Radio, March 26, 2012 In this article, ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell discusses how the coming of cheap solar may change everything. Most Americans think clean energy is futuristic — a good idea some day, but not practical now. But a new report from the Institute for Local Self Reliance suggests that within… Continue reading

Rooftop Solar Installation
Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 13 Comments | Updated on Mar 21, 2012

Rooftop Revolution: Changing Everything with Cost-Effective Local Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rooftop-revolution-changing-everything-with-cost-effective-local-solar/

With the cost of solar power plunging and retail electric prices rising, 100 million Americans in the nation’s largest cities will be able to “go solar” for a lower price than grid electricity in the next ten years. Seizing this opportunity requires rethinking electricity policy and planning even while solar produces less than 1% of… Continue reading

Rooftop Revolution cover graphic
Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Mar 21, 2012

New Report: Rooftop Revolution Changes Everything with Cost-Effective Local Solar

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-repor-rooftop-revolution-changes-everything-with-cost-effective-local-solar/

Within ten years, 100 million Americans in the nation’s largest cities will be able to get cheaper electricity from rooftop solar than their utility provides. That’s just the opening salvo from a new report from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. “Rooftop Revolution: Changing Everything with Cost-Effective Solar,” not only illustrates the enormous, emerging potential for local solar power, but also describes how the rules of the electricity system must change now for the electricity system to be ready for the decade’s energy democracy opportunity. Continue reading

Rule filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Mar 17, 2012

Access to Financing for Small Businesses

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

While chain retailers and other large corporations have access to financing through the capital markets (which many of us help fund through our retirement plans and other investments), independent businesses have a much more challenging time securing financing. Below we have assembled examples of the kinds of institutions and policies that are essential to financing… Continue reading

Rule filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Mar 15, 2012

Store Size Caps

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

Dozens of communities, recognizing that their local economies can absorb only so much new retail without causing numerous existing businesses to close, have enacted zoning rules that prohibit stores over a certain size. Store size caps help to sustain the vitality of small-scale, pedestrian-oriented business districts, which in turn nurture local business development. Continue reading

Rule filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Mar 15, 2012

Development Moratorium – Tacoma, WA

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/development-moratoria/development-moratorium-tacoma-wa/

On August 30, 2011, the Tacoma City Council adopted an emergency moratorium that prohibits the permitting of retail sales establishments with a floor area greater than 65,000 square feet in size within the city. Continue reading

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Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Mar 13, 2012

Minnesota Electricity Could Be 100% Renewable, 100% Local

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/minnesota-electricity-100-renewable-100-local/

A new report released today by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research shows that Minnesota can meet 100% of its electricity needs with in-state wind and solar power, and (with ample energy efficiency investments) at a comparable cost to its existing electricity supply. The notion that solar and wind energy cannot be the mainstay… Continue reading