Most States Flunk Community Power Scorecard
The 2025 Community Power Scorecard shoes which states are doing the best job of allowing local control over electricity.
Institute for Local Self Reliance
The Long Wait for Community Solar in Washington State
In the state of Washington, advocates hope that the third time’s the charm for passing community solar legislation. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Mason Rolph, President of Olympia Community Solar. In the absence of supportive state policy, Rolph has found a way … [continued]
Report: New Survey Shows How Electric Utilities & Policymakers Are Holding Back Local Solar
Based on our first ever survey of solar developers, ILSR’s new report shows how electric utilities and policymakers are creating unexpected delays and added costs for solar projects and slowing the growth of local solar. The report, 2021 Local Solar Developer Survey, seeks to identify the most common and impactful barriers to local … [continued]
Voices of 100%: Moab Anchors Utah Community Renewable Energy Program
To preserve its unique natural environment and the regional economy, Moab and other Utah cities have created a pathway to procure 100% renewable power by 2030. For this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell talks with Moab Sustainability Director Mila Dunbar-Irwin and City … [continued]
New Mexico Co-op Dumps Monopoly Supplier to Offer More Solar
Originally published on ILSR.org Rural areas are sometimes isolated, disconnected from modern conveniences and the latest technologies. The digital divide is real, but one cooperative in New Mexico is proving to be an exception as it connects customers to affordable solar energy and reliable Internet service. For this episode of … [continued]
Voices Of 100%: Des Moines Commits To Clean Electricity Around The Clock
Originally published on ILSR.org Though it’s insulated from sea level rise, the state of Iowa faces many dangerous climate change impacts — which in turn threaten the nation’s food supply. Fortunately, the state is rich in renewable energy potential and eager advocates who hope to harness it. For this episode … [continued]
Drone Data Helps A Minnesota City Conserve Energy
Originally published at ILSR.org Maintaining healthy, comfortable buildings can be expensive in Minnesota — especially during polar vortex events. Warren, a small city in Northern Minnesota, is offering an innovative public service: images that reveal building heat loss, captured by drones. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host … [continued]
Rep. Seth Berry On The Movement For Publicly-Owned Power In Maine
Originally published at ILSR.org Electric customers in Maine, who are fed up with lousy utility service, can use a ballot initiative to take back their power. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, a rebroadcast from the Building Local Power Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Maine State Representative Seth … [continued]
New Power Generation Quarterly: 2021 Q2
Originally published on ILSR.org Nearly 7 gigawatts of new power generation capacity came online in the second quarter of 2021. Renewable energy generation capacity growth was comparable to last quarter, while new fossil gas construction dropped dramatically. In 4 of the last 8 quarters, the fossil gas contribution to new … [continued]
Colorado Law Creates Transparency at Rural Electric Co-ops
Originally published at ILSR.org After moving to Colorado, Joe Smyth found he was barred from participating in his generation and transmission cooperative — despite a Colorado law promoting co-op transparency. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Joe Smyth, researcher at the Energy and … [continued]
