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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

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Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jul 21, 2012

Usage Based Billing – Time Warner Cable Latest Attempt to Increase Prices

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/usage-based-billing-time-warner-cable-latest-attempt-increase-prices

Time Warner Cable’s announced intention to expand its usage based billing for broadband has recently received a little media attention. The company currently uses tiers for customers in parts of Texas, allowing customers to sign on to a plan which limits the amount of usage per month. If they come in under the plan amount… Continue reading

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Article, Resource filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | 1 Comment | Updated on Apr 6, 2012

Solving the Local Clean Energy Puzzle

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

In this April 2 presentation to the Pedernales Electric Cooperative of Johnson City, TX, ILSR Senior Researcher John Farrell discussed how solving the clean local energy puzzle requires much more than a consideration of cost per kilowatt-hour. Instead, cooperatives, municipal utilities and others considering developing local clean power should consider issues of scale, value and… Continue reading

Article filed under Energy | Written by John Farrell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 3, 2011

Could Rooftop Solar Prevent Texas Blackouts?

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

Just a reminder that while Texas swelters and its electric grid sags, rooftop solar PV alone could meet 35 percent of the state’s electricity needs. Map from Energy Self-Reliant States:

State Potential Rooftop PV:

 

Not only is the potential high, but the cost is low.  The levelized cost of solar is just 14 cents per kilowatt-hour in Texas, when including the federal 30 percent tax credit.  Cost estimates from ILSR.

Levelized Cost of Solar PV @ $3.50/W over 25 years – 30% ITC included

Texans should start using the sun to beat the heat.

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Rule filed under Broadband | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jan 15, 2009

Citywide Wireless Network – Corpus Christi, TX

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/rule/2518-2/

CorpusChristi did not set out to create a citywide wireless network. Theproject arose as a logical extension of the upgrade to wirelessautomated meter reading for the city’s gas and water utilities.

In2002, the City was facing a large investment in updating its meterreading capabilities, and was actively considering privatizing itsmunicipal utilities. It was still utilizing meter readers who walkeddoor to door, a risky job with high turnover. If they couldn’t get intoa yard for any reason, they would skip the house, which was the sourceof inaccuracies. Also, the once-monthly monitoring meant system leakswere not quickly recognized and repaired.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 9, 2007

Austin Initiative Connects Local Businesses with Developers

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

A new online database created by the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) will help local entrepreneurs find space for their businesses and give property owners and developers a way to recruit more independent businesses to their properties.
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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 23, 2004

Shoppers Urged to Break Free of Chains

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/shoppers-urged-break-free-chains/

Independent businesses in two dozen cites joined forces to urge residents to "unchain" themselves on Saturday, November 20, by patronizing only locally owned stores and restaurants that day. The event, dubbed America Unchained, was organized by the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). The goal, according to AMIBA’s director Jennifer Rockne, was to broaden awareness of the local economic benefit of choosing to shop at locally owned businesses instead of chains. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Oct 8, 2004

Austin Study Says City Pays Price for Big-Boxes

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/austin-study-says-city-pays-price-bigboxes/

A coalition of organizations in Austin, Texas, released a report this week that concludes that big-box retailers impose significant costs on the community. It recommends that the city scrutinize big-box projects more thoroughly and adopt a long-range plan to strengthen locally owned businesses. The report reviews and refutes several of the findings of another big-box study commissioned by the city and released in June. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Feb 1, 2004

Local-Only Shopping Day Boosts Austin Business Alliance

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/localonly-shopping-day-boosts-austin-business-alliance/

Austin residents responded enthusiastically to a call by independent retailers to shop exclusively at locally owned businesses on Saturday, November 15. The one-day event, called Austin Unchained, was organized by the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA) and was promoted through posters, tee-shirts, and flyers distributed throughout the city. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Nov 1, 2003

Austin Retailers Urge Shoppers to Ditch Chains for a Day

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/austin-retailers-urge-shoppers-ditch-chains-day/

Independent retailers in Austin, Texas, are calling on local residents to break the chain store habit by shopping exclusively at locally owned businesses on Saturday, November 15. The one-day event—known as Austin Unchained—is being organized by the Austin Independent Business Alliance (AIBA), a association of some 200 locally owned businesses. The group is promoting Austin Unchained through tee-shirts, flyers, and posters. Continue reading