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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

What makes faith communities such attractive hosts for resilience hubs?

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

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/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

Learn how public power can tackle the affordability crisis.

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/| Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/| Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 our site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/| Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 to keep the lights on for themselves and for everyone. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Javier Rúa-Jovet, Chief Policy Officer the Solar and Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico.| Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/energy-democracy/dpps-banish-blackouts-pr-ler251| 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 subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/| Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 site: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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 forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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

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

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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: https://ilsr.org/energy/local-energy-rules-podcast/ | Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

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

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.

In Boston, a creative cooperatively-run solar developer is combining the best of Massachusetts’ equity-focused climate opportunities to distribute the benefits of the climate transition.

On Molokai, a Hawaiian island with the highest utility rates in the country, the resident-led Hoʻāhu Energy Cooperative is using its local knowledge to drive clean energy projects that speak to community needs and priorities.

Do residents of Decorah, Iowa, have the seven year public power itch? Actually, they’re probably just steamed about two double-digit increases in their electric bills since 2018, when they last considered creating a city-owned electric utility. While that initiative fell short by just three votes, today, the advocates promoting a “yes” vote on the March 4 public power initiative think that anger over Alliant Energy’s lies and bill increases can flip the outcome. | For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Emily Neal, an at-large member of the Decorah city council and a member of the Decorah Sustainability Commission. Show page available: https://ilsr.org/articles/decorah-muni-ler229/ 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 subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

SolarShare Wisconsin Cooperative’s model allows anyone in the state to invest in local solar projects.

Rep. Sarahana Shrestha has a bill, The Hudson Valley Power Authority Act, that would take the privately-owned Central Hudson Gas & Electric public in order to lower rates, accelerate clean energy deployment, and increase benefits for the communities it serves.

Mark Ellis spent years as a chief economist and chief of corporate strategy for investor-owned utilities. He now testifies in support of intervenors. Here are 5 tactics he says we should be using to fight utility rate gouging.

Anaerobic digestion can harness power from organic waste. But it can also have some negative ecological and health effects.

In a dynamic Stephen Fischmann refers to as a “continual shakedown,” utilities in New Mexico often refuse to act unless they’re generously compensated. They get away with it, he says, because they’re monopolies.

Patrick Robbins was outraged when a fracked gas pipeline was proposed in his mom's West Village neighborhood. So he helped form the Public Power NY Coalition - the main author of New York state’s 2023 Build Public Renewables Act, a model for other states and municipalities seeking energy independence while addressing climate change and social justice.

A University of Michigan research team set out to envision a future without the status quo of investor-owned utilities. Here are four alternatives.

The Florida Legislature removed local control of Gainesville’s century-old municipal utility, but Commissioner Bryan Eastman explains how the city plans to take it back. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/articles/public-power-ballot-florida-ler221/| 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 subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

Jani Hale and Liz Veazy from Solar United Neighbors explain how the Solar Help Desk aids consumers and how the group organizes people to fight for solar rights. | Show page available: https://ilsr.org/article/solar-help-desk-agenda-free-ler220/ | 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 subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!