The Community Power Score assigns points to each state based on its policy environment for supporting local energy action. It includes points for all of the state policies in the map above. The 2019 Community Power Scorecard scoring methodology is as follows: Community Choice Aggregation 7 points for having a state policy allowing communities to choose … Read More
In the 2019 Community Power Scorecard, four states excelled, 11 states and the District of Columbia saw above average scores, 15 were mediocre, and 20 states received failing grades at enabling individuals and communities to take charge of their energy futures.… Read More
In a first for a US utility, a renewable energy project will combine wind, solar and storage in Oregon. Plus, a new study says changing mobility trends may lead to big changes in city planning as EV adoption increases.… Read More
In this episode of Local Energy Rules, Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell speaks with Minneapolis City Councilmember Jeremy Schroeder about the city’s unique partnership with its incumbent utility companies and other tools the city can use to address climate change locally.… Read More
Utilities in many states have undercut competition by playing “hide the peanut.” Instead of sharing their avoided cost publicly, as required by Congress and state laws, utilities have hidden them behind a “trade secret” designation.… Read More
States are stepping up to the plate to combat climate change. Despite a focus on federal level change, most policy progress has actually happened at the state level. This week, Massachusetts joined their ranks in a big way by introducing legislation requiring 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. Plus, New Mexico joins 18 other states in a national renewable energy coalition.… Read More
What does it take to build a community solar project (with battery storage) in a small town in northern Minnesota when the monopoly wholesale energy company tells your small city-owned utility to “lawyer up”? In this podcast episode, we talk with Bill Schnell of Grand Rapids, Minn., about that community’s effort negotiate a project deal with the community’s much larger utility supplier.… Read More
John Farrell, argues against a potential Pacific Gas & Electric bailout in a commentary for Green Tech Media. John makes the case for publicly owned energy utilities.… Read More
Today, over 100 U.S. cities have made formal commitments to 100 percent renewable energy. In our seventh episode of the Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we highlight how Madison, Wis., is pushing their coal-heavy, investor-owned utility to change its ways. Raj Shukla, chair of the Sustainable Madison Committee, shares lessons for how cities can advance local climate action and renewable power goals by putting pressure on their incumbent utilities.… Read More
