In this 15 minute presentation for The Solutions Summit 2023, John Farrell makes the case for self-determination over the energy system. Instead of tolerating costly...
For this milestone 200th episode, John Farrell reflects on 10 years of making the Local Energy Rules podcast, shares what he has learned from over...
Virginia’s shared solar program began enrolling subscribers in 2023, but faces scrutiny due to a high minimum billing feature. This post summarizes the policy and...
In 2023, Maryland passed legislation (HB 908) making permanent a successful 7-year community solar pilot program. The now-permanent program allows for unlimited capacity and requires...
Alex Hill discusses a report on utility redlining in electric distribution, the impacts of inadequate grid infrastructure, and how the report helped make a case...
Mari Hernandez explains why we need transparent and efficient interconnection standards, how the regulatory landscape can adapt to new technologies, and where IREC’s Freeing the...
ILSR’s new report, Advantage Local: Why Local Energy Ownership Matters, breaks down how locally owned clean energy can maximize economic benefits for households and communities...
10 years after Minnesota enabled community solar, a 2023 policy has expanded the program. It also introduced new rules and limitations. This post explains the...
How much of the U.S. solar fleet is made up of smaller, distributed sources that help communities build local wealth? This 2022 update examines the...
A terrific Brad Plumer New York Times article highlights the barriers to connecting renewable energy to the grid. This post explains WHY these barriers exist,...
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...
California passed a new community renewable energy program in 2022 (AB2316). To maximize benefits to subscribers, 51 percent of which must be low-income households, developers...
Justin Baca and David Gahl discuss how an information gap trips up small solar developers. They also explain their letter to the U.S. Energy Information...
Dan Juhl develops integrated clean energy projects that combine solar, wind, and/or battery storage. He shares how commercial-scale, hybrid solar and wind systems are a...
Today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance was joined by joined by 24 utility justice, consumer advocate, and environmental organizations in submitting comments urging the Energy...