John Farrell was recently interviewed by Barry Cinnamon for his Solar Energy Show podcast, titled “The Path to Energy Independence.” In this conversation, John and host Barry discuss the increasing availability of distributed generation of solar energy and the ways in which electric utilities are trying to keep their customers from benefitting. John argues for a change in … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: US distributed solar capacity continues to grow. Maryland proposes growing state levels of renewable energy. Distributed generation crosses party lines in rural Nebraska. Featured Stories The North Carolina town that’s scared of solar panels, revisited by David Roberts, Vox ILSR’s distributed solar capacity quarterly update by John Farrell, CleanTechnica Rural Nebraska … Read More
Five years ago, I launched ILSR’s first program blog, Energy Self-Reliant States, to provide regular analysis and perspective on the opportunities to enrich local economies in the changing energy landscape. At the time, the big discussions in energy were about state renewable portfolio standards, wind power, and big transmission lines as the only reasonable and cost-effective strategy … Read More
Exelon, a monopoly electric utility and the nation’s largest nuclear power generator, made a $6.8 billion offer to purchase Pepco, Washington D.C.’s electric utility in April of 2014. Since then, they have swarmed across Pepco’s service area, getting the approval of federal regulators, state utility commissions, and shareholders. Washington D.C.’s Public Service Commission has, however, halted Exelon in its … Read More
In April 2014, Exelon, the nation’s largest nuclear power generator, made a $6.8 billion offer for Washington D.C.-based Pepco. Exelon – which already owns Illinois ComEd and Baltimore G&E – would become the largest electric utility in the country, with nearly 10 million customers. Shareholders, federal regulators, and many state utility commissions have approved the deal. … Read More
The following presentation was given by ILSR’s Director of Democratic Energy John Farrell, this year’s keynote speaker at the Sierra Club of Nebraska’s Annual Event on November 21st, 2015. The presentation illustrates the march towards energy democracy by highlighting the spread of affordable distributed energy resources (such as wind and solar) and the intense pressure it … Read More
Renewable energy continues to dominate new power plant capacity and distributed generation has contributed an increasingly large share. We’ve been tracking this phenomenon since April of 2014, and, finally, the Energy Information Administration has recognized the prevalence of distributed solar and is going to report estimates of this added capacity in their monthly updates. This is … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: Tea Party leader champions solar energy in Florida. Energy fixed-charges rise in Omaha, so does the pitch of opposition. Rooftop solar reaches such a prevalence that it is now being tracked by the Energy Information Administration. Featured Stories: It’s not doomsday, but neither is ending the Solar Tax Credit good policy … Read More
This week in Democratic Energy: The Solar Investment Tax Credit may expire but the sun won’t necessarily be setting on solar. Overwhelming majority in Hawaii supports rooftop solar. Minnesota group worries community solar projects won’t kick in until tax credit expires, thanks to Xcel Energy. Featured Stories [VIDEO] Group worried Xcel’s solar program won’t kick in … Read More
