While 2016 was a turbulent year in our government, the goals and values we hold at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and in the Energy Democracy initiative remain steadfast. Top Energy Posts of 2016 | Top Media Hits of 2016 | Top Twitter Posts of 2016 My colleagues and I have been promoting effective, bottom-up strategies to … Read More
The turn of the year is a perfect time for monopoly electric utilities nationwide to reflect on their substandard policies and embrace changes that will bring cleaner, more affordable energy to their customers. By finally committing to truly support distributed generation and renewables, these utilities can ensure their customers will have the choice and freedom they … Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: A large energy bill passed Michigan, Arizona de-valued solar power, and much more excitement in this year-end Energy Democracy media roundup! Featured Stories: Arizona vote puts an end to net metering to solar customers by Julia Pyper, GreenTech Media Utilities strip consumers’ control over energy bills: Episode 36 of Local … Read More
A new administration critical of clean energy imposes vast uncertainty on a U.S. energy sector that in recent years has tiptoed toward greater local control and increased renewable energy generation. This year, our federal policy wish list includes a series of items that would keep up the trend and deliver economic benefits to communities nationwide. This … Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: Rural Minnesota communities are finding the value of renewable energy, the city of Boulder is committing to 100% renewable energy, and a reexamination of citizen energy initiatives in spite of monopoly utility’s opposition. Featured Stories To lease or to own your solar array (infographic) by John Farrell, CleanTechnica Presentation: Re-member-ing … Read More
In the quest for 100% renewable energy, the city of Boulder is looking to recommit themselves to this reality for their community. That’s why the city is fighting a municipalization campaign against their monopoly electric utility, Xcel Energy. In this discussion, Boulder Daily Camera‘s Alex Burness reached out to discuss this topic with renewable energy expert John Farrell.… Read More
On December 5th, John Farrell delivered a webinar presentation detailing the findings of our recent report, Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy? In this presentation, Farrell discusses how conventional wisdom suggests that larger solar and wind projects deliver energy at lower costs, but that location matters, and that the point of delivery and ownership matter more. You can … Read More
This week in Energy Democracy news: With national energy policy stagnant (for the moment) states and cities are taking the lead in growing distributed generation and renewable energy such as new 100% renewable commitments in St. Petersburg, Florida and newly approved renewable projects in Greater Minnesota. Featured Stories: Why is green pricing a premium when wind … Read More
Without a clear policy plan from President-Elect Donald Trump, the nation’s energy future hangs in the balance. But in a year that saw an influx of state-level ballot initiatives targeting action in the energy sector, a murky (or hostile) federal landscape will only deepen calls for action in statehouses and city halls. Despite the unclear future, … Read More
