Each year, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance provides a score for each state’s energy policies based on how they help or hinder local clean energy action. In 2018, 21 states had a failing grade, 17 were mediocre, 11 had a passing grade, and just 2 excelled at enabling residents to act individually and collectively to take charge of their energy future.… Read More
A Minnesota utility proposes a new program allowing electric vehicle owners to charge their vehicles at night for a lower price, but monthly maintenance fees mean drivers won’t save any money. ILSR provides comments to the state’s Public Utilities Commission illustrating the problem and proposing a solution.… Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: In Indiana, the wind down of net metering rules means that customers are scrambling for installation; a Kentucky anti-solar bill gains traction, and critics; this Michigan group is pushing a ballot initiative that will get the state to 30% renewable energy soon; and Virginia Democrats deal utility monopoly Dominion a harsh blow in flexing their monopolistic muscle in the state legislature.… Read More
As monopoly utilities merge and grow bigger, they wield more power. This commentary advises South Carolina regulators, legislators, and residents to be cautious of a proposed takeover of SCANA by investor-owned utility Dominion Energy.… Read More
Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) talks with John Farrell about his history as a renewable energy activist and local control advocate and how he translates that work into his role in the state legislature.… Read More
This week: Commentary on the foibles of the merger of Dominion Energy and SCANA; the Hawaiian island of Kauai can now be served by 100% renewable energy; and limits on net metering in Kentucky are starting to take shape in an extremely negative way.… Read More
With a nation-leading community solar program, changes to the compensation scheme for participants shouldn’t be taken lightly. ILSR offered these comments to the MN Public Utilities Commission in February 2018 about preserving high values for the state’s “value of solar” calculation.… Read More
Jacqui Patterson, the director of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program, talks with ILSR’s Neil Seldman and Nick Stumo-Langer about the practical implications of environmental justice.… Read More
This week in Energy Democracy News: California regulators rule that utility must use distributed renewables and energy storage to replace natural gas plants; in Colorado Xcel Energy receives intensely cheap bid for renewable energy to replace dirty energy capacity; and PACE financing allows Springfield, Mo. residents to make efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.… Read More
