In Depth
The 2024 Community Power Scorecard
Maria McCoy
March 20, 2024
Communities can do a lot to advance energy democracy, but some tools must be granted by state policy. This annual scorecard from ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative surveys a suite of 18 policies that help or hinder local clean energy action. READ MORE
Community Solar Tracker
Maria McCoy
April 16, 2024
ILSR tracks community solar capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership. This quarterly update (2023 Q4) shows the capacity built in nine states, with a focus on projects in investor-owned utility service territory. READ MORE
Report: Will Long-Term Co-op Contracts Give Way to Affordable Clean Energy?
Maria McCoy
October 30, 2023
ILSR’s new report, The Rural Electric Rift, examines the struggle of electric distribution cooperatives and their members to restore local control over electricity purchasing and harness the benefits of affordable clean energy. READ MORE
Recently Posted
Advocate Puts Full Court Pressure on Utilities — Episode 209 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
May 9, 2024
Mariel Nanasi discusses New Energy Economy’s efforts before lawmakers, regulators, and courts to protect consumers from the nefarious plans of New Mexico’s investor-owned utilities. READ MORE
How Investor-Owned Utilities Turn (Your) Money into Political Power
April 25, 2024
This graphic lays out the investor-owned utility model and how utilities maximize profits at the expense of their customers, use money to gain political power, and then use power to defend their monopoly and make even more money. READ MORE
Standing Rock’s Wind Project Puts People First — Episode 208 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
April 24, 2024
Christina Hollenback and Joseph McNeil discuss how SAGE Development Authority has created a model for community-led wind development and why community ownership is so important to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. READ MORE
Three Ways to Green the Grid Without New Transmission
April 18, 2024
Transmission lines are slow and expensive to build. This commentary by John Farrell proposes three faster, cheaper, and more efficient tools that could help the climate advocacy and clean energy communities meet their collective goals. READ MORE
Community Solar Tracker
Maria McCoy
April 16, 2024
ILSR tracks community solar capacity in states with formal programs that allow non-utility ownership. This quarterly update (2023 Q4) shows the capacity built in nine states, with a focus on projects in investor-owned utility service territory. READ MORE