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Local Energy Rules

by Local Energy Rules

This bi-weekly podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares powerful stories of local renewable energy, from mayors discussing their city’s commitment to 100% renewable energy to tales of innovative community owned solar to questions about the the best rooftop solar policy. Join host John Farrell, the director of the Institute’s Energy Democracy Initiative, as he asks if the 100-year-old monopoly market structure for electricity delivery makes sense in an on-demand, distributed 21st century energy system. Tell us what you think.

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Episodes

  1. Big Tech Stole His Book and Wants Your Town, Too — Episode 281

    Why data centers are sparking a nationwide backlash as big tech tries to turn communities into reverse centaurs. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/data-center-backlash-reverse-centaurs-ler281 Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  2. The Green Bank that Made Solar on Schools Simple — Episode 280

    Connecticut's Green Bank made solar on schools simple. Its public financing approach is a model other states can copy. Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/connecticut-green-bank-school-solar-ler280/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  3. Community Solar Helps Alaskans With Fuel Costs — Episode 279

    Inside Alaska's community energy program: subscriber-owned solar for a one-of-a-kind grid.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/alaska-community-energy-program-ler279/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  4. Data Centers, Energy Affordability, and the Case for Homegrown Power — Episode 278

    How household power can solve the energy affordability crisis.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/data-centers-energy-affordability-ler278/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ |…

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  5. This Co-op Helps Manufactured Homes Save with Solar — Episode 277

    A Minnesota community solar cooperative earns trust and delivers savings in manufactured home parks. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/community-solar-manufactured-homes-minnesota-ler277/ | Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  6. How a Referee for the Grid Can Lower Utility Bills — Episode 276

    Utilities profit by spending more. An independent distribution system operator could change that. Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/independent-distribution-system-operator-ler276/. Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  7. This Small City Found the Funds for Clean Heat — Episode 275

    How did this small city finance a municipal geothermal network?| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/new-haven-geothermal-network-ler275/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't...

  8. How This Mountain Town Funds Its Own Climate Future — Episode 274

    Boulder's voter-approved climate tax has funded local climate action since 2006. Its lessons are ones any city can use.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/boulder-climate-tax-lessons-ler274/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  9. States Can Stop Utilities From Strangling Local Solar — Episode 273

    Solar is ready. Thanks to utilities, the rules to connect it to the grid aren't.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/state-interconnection-rules-ler273/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  10. Reducing Red Tape to Slash Rooftop Solar Costs — Episode 272

    States can slash rooftop solar costs with instant permits and remote visits.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/reducing-rooftop-solar-red-tape-ler272| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  11. Solar Plus Suds Builds Self-Reliance — Episode 271

    A solar-powered laundromat is changing daily life on the Pine Ridge reservation.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/pine-ridge-solar-ler271/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ |...

  12. How Much Are You Paying For Utility Profits? — Episode 270

    In some states, 30 cents of every dollar a customer pays to their electric utility goes to the utility’s shareholders’ profits. How widespread is this problem and how did it happen? | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/utility-profit-calculator-ler270/ | Listen to all…

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  13. Xcel Owns the Batteries, You Pay the Bill — Episode 269 of Local Energy Rules

    What can we expect from a new utility-owned distributed storage program that made headlines when it was announced over 18 months ago? Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/distributed-storage-ler269/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  14. Black Churches Power Up A Solar Revival — Episode 268 of Local Energy Rules

    What makes faith communities such attractive hosts for resilience hubs?

  15. A Coal Town Digs Deep for Municipal Clean Heat — Episode 267 of Local Energy Rules

    How did this coal town ditch gas lines, win grants, and make municipal networked geothermal the cheapest heating option?

  16. The Utility Power Trip Behind Transmission Network Upgrades — Episode 266 of Local Energy Rules

    Who should pay for upgrades to the high voltage transmission network?| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/transmission-network-upgrades-ler266/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ |...

  17. How This City Got Low-Income Solar On The Utility’s Dime — Episode 265 of Local Energy Rules

    San Diego may be the only city to have secured upfront funding from utility shareholders to make clean energy cheaper.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/San-Diego-franchise-agreement-ler265/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  18. A 2nd State Puts Utility Performance Over Profits — Episode 264 of Local Energy Rules

    Oregon tries to tie utility profits to climate, cost, and reliability targets through performance-based regulation.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/oregon-performance-based-regulation-ler264/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  19. 42 Million People Can Use this Toolkit to Lower Electric Bills — Episode 263 of Local Energy Rules

    Rural electric co-op members should use this new toolkit to swap coal debt for clean, affordable energy.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/rural-electric-coop-toolkit-ler263/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  20. Solar and Portable Batteries Save Lives after Storms — Episode 262 of Local Energy Rules

    NOLA’s Community Lighthouse initiative creates local hubs with rooftop solar and portable batteries to save lives after storms.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/solar-and-batteries-save-lives-ler262/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our...

  21. DIY Plug-In Solar Is On The Way — Episode 261 of Local Energy Rules

    These plug-in devices bypass utility hassles to offer cheap, convenient power for everyone.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/plug-in-solar-ler261/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  22. Public Power Can Tackle The Affordability Crisis — Episode 260 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn how public power can tackle the affordability crisis.

  23. Cutting Tax Credit Losses With Third-Party Ownership — (Bonus) Episode 259 of Local Energy Rules

    The solar tax credit landscape is changing. Third-party ownership could be one way to cut losses.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/third-party-ownership-ler259/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  24. Leveraging Distributed Power Plants To Lower Costs — (Bonus) Episode 258 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn about pending Minnesota legislation to enable distributed power plants and their potential impact on energy affordability.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/MN-virtual-power-plants-ler258/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  25. A Blueprint for Scalable Cooperative Solar Energy — Episode 257 of Local Energy Rules

    What happens when you combine cooperative solar ownership with a clever standardized design meant to match the scale and capacity of local communities and their grids?| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/maine-cooperative-community-solar-ler257| Listen to all of our...

  26. State Solutions for Local Energy Action — (Bonus) Episode 256 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn how state legislatures can pave the way for cities to advance clean energy and equitably address climate change.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/state-solutions-local-action-ler256/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  27. How to Raise the Bar for Community Solar in Minnesota — (Bonus) Episode 255 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn about the recent improvements to Minnesota's community solar program and what can be done to better encourage cooperative ownership models.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/mn-community-solar-ler255/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at...

  28. The Oregon Trail To Community Microgrids — Episode 254 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn how this state developed a community microgrid law to enhance community resilience against power shutoffs and grid failure.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/or-community-microgrids-ler254/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  29. The State Fighting The Feds to Lower Energy Costs – (Bonus) Episode 253 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn how this state is ramping up the fight with the feds for local, clean energy affordability and access. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/MN-fights-feds-ler253/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  30. The Minnesota Lawmaker Tackling Energy Problems Head-On — (Bonus) Episode 252 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn about how this Minnesota lawmaker wants to tackle her state’s energy problems. Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/acomb-ler252/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't…

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  31. Distributed Power Banishes Blackouts In Puerto Rico — Episode 251 of Local Energy Rules

    It’s been eight years since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, causing one of the longest power outages in U.S. history and leaving behind a fragile electric grid. But Puerto Ricans have taken their future into their own hands, and thousands of locals have invested in solar panels and batteries…

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  32. The Job No One Does Well — (Bonus) Episode 250 of Local Energy Rules

    No state in America is currently doing utility regulation well. But there’s hope.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/states-all-do-a-bad-job-ler250/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  33. BlackRock Bought Minnesota Power. What’s Next? — (Bonus) Episode 249 of Local Energy Rules

    BlackRock just bought Minnesota Power. But these consumer advocates haven’t stopped fighting for utility accountability.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/after-BlackRock-ler249/ | Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  34. How to Fix the Country’s Biggest Power Market — Episode 248 of Local Energy Rules

    The PJM electricity market is embroiled in a crisis where ratepayers are being gouged to line the pockets of generation owners.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/how-to-fix-PJM-ler248/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  35. Should We Celebrate When Monopoly Utilities Embrace Distributed Energy? — (Bonus) Episode 247 of Local Energy Rules

    A landmark utility proposal to own energy storage on customer property also cements its monopoly power. Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/monopoly-utilities-distributed-energy-ler247/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  36. Finally a Bright Spot for California Rooftop Solar — Episode 246 of Local Energy Rules

    There’s still a chance to breathe new life into California’s rooftop solar ambitions.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/bright-spot-for-CA-solar-ler246/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  37. A New Coalition for a Distributed Energy Future — Episode 245 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn about how Common Charge is fast-tracking a future where your distributed energy assets make the electric grid work better for everyone. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/common-charge-ler245 | Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our…

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  38. These Solar Tax Credits Are Still Standing — Episode 244 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn how non-profit and public entities can still benefit from solar tax credits, and the three steps to getting them. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/solar-tax-credits-ler244/ | Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  39. The Town That Could Spark a Public Power Revolution — Episode 243 of Local Energy Rules

    Slayton's public power takeover aims to improve reliability and safety. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/articles/slayton-public-power-ler243/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to...

  40. A Public Power Struggle in Tucson — Episode 242 of Local Energy Rules

    Affordability and clean energy are driving a public power campaign to take over Tucson’s investor-owned utility. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/articles/tucson-public-power-ler242/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  41. Smart Homes, Stronger Grids, Thanks to Distributed Power Plants — Episode 241 of Local Energy Rules

    Learn about how distributed power plants lower electric bills and stabilize the grid.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/articles/distributed-power-plants-ler241/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/| Don't...

  42. Why BlackRock Wants to Buy Your Electric Utility — Episode 240 of Local Energy Rules

    Minnesota Power's sale would saddle captive utility customers with higher rates, but bring millions to shareholders. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/blackrock-utility-purchase-ler240/ | Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  43. The Truth Behind California’s High Electric Bills — Episode 239 of Local Energy Rules

    Utility overspending, not rooftop solar, is driving California’s rising rates – Richard McCann debunks the “cost shift” myth.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/truth-behind-CA-electric-bills-ler239/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  44. Australia’s Rooftop Solar Revolution: A Postcard from the Future — Episode 238 of Local Energy Rules

    Australia leads the world in rooftop solar adoption, offering crucial lessons for regulators and grid operators in the United States. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/australias-rooftop-solar-revolution-ler238/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  45. Boosting Consumer Control with Better Utility Governance — Episode 237 of Local Energy Rules

    What if we changed monopoly utility governance to give consumers more control over utility decisions?

  46. Community Solar Cracks Gas Crisis in Alaska — Episode 236 of Local Energy Rules

    Discover how Alaska’s electric co-ops and the Cook Inlet gas crisis laid the groundwork for the state’s community solar policy.

  47. Community Solar Complements New Hampshire’s Resident-Owned Communities — Episode 235 of Local Energy Rules

    Members of New Hampshire’s resident-owned communities are saving money through community solar.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/community-solar-in-nh-rocs-ler235/| Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  48. A ‘North Star’ For California Utility Reform — Episode 234 of Local Energy Rules

    California’s Senate Bill 332 aims to address the immediate harms of the investor-owned utilities while also investing in a resilient future.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/CA-utility-reform-ler234/ Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site:...

  49. How Utilities Evade Grid Regulation — Episode 233 of Local Energy Rules

    Instead of prioritizing more useful regional transmission infrastructure, utilities are pushing through smaller, local transmission projects to minimize oversight and maximize profit.

  50. Connecticut Utility Regulator Under Fire for Doing Her Job — Episode 232 of Local Energy Rules

    In this rebroadcast from Volts, Chairman Marissa Gillett of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority talks about the challenges of reforming utility regulation given investor-owned utilities’ incredible influence.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

This bi-weekly podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares powerful stories of local renewable energy, from mayors discussing their city’s commitment to 100% renewable energy to tales of innovative community owned solar to questions about the the best rooftop solar policy. Join host John Farrell, the director of the Institute’s Energy Democracy Initiative, as he asks if the 100-year-old monopoly market structure for electricity delivery makes sense in an on-demand, distributed 21st century energy system. Tell us what you think.

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Local Energy Rules

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Local Energy Rules currently has 287 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

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This bi-weekly podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares powerful stories of local renewable energy, from mayors discussing their city’s commitment to 100% renewable energy to tales of innovative community owned solar to questions about the the best rooftop solar policy. Join host...

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Local Energy Rules publishes regularly with 287 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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