All Things Energy

Utility Fights Dirty in City's Battle for Clean Local Energy

jfarrell — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:23:37 -0500

In
just three weeks, citizens of Boulder, CO, will vote on whether to
begin a big, formal process to unplug from Xcel Energy’s system and
plug into local energy self-reliance. The vote to form a municipal
electric utility could set a precedent for communities across the
United States to keep millions of dollars local instead of sending them
to remote electric utilities each year.

At every turn, the utility has stalled local efforts.

CLEAN v SRECs: Finding the More Cost-Effective Solar Policy

jfarrell — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:23:11 -0500

In choosing policies to finance solar power, U.S. states have chosen
between two major options: solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) and
CLEAN Contracts. But few legislatures have been armed with data on the
cost-effectiveness of these strategies. This report reveals that the transparency, certainty, and low risk of CLEAN Contract Programs makes them more cost-effective than SRECs for financing solar power projects. In other words, CLEAN means more solar at less cost.

Local Solar Power is Best (Infographic)

jfarrell — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:28:27 -0500

Local solar power hits the sweet spot of cost-effectiveness and economic value for communities. The best approach for expanding energy is local mid-size projects.

Click through to see our new infographic, illustrating the optimal size for solar, it’s out-sized impact in generating power, and the enormous economic benefits of local solar power.

Pricing CLEAN Contracts for Solar PV in the U.S.

jfarrell — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:38:39 -0500

What would happen if the U.S. adopted the world's flagship solar energy policy – a feed-in tariff? This policy is responsible for three-quarters of the world's solar power capacity and offers the simplest mechanism for expanding production of solar power and other renewable energy.

About ILSR's Energy Work

jfarrell — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:23:33 -0500

If you've ever wondered how to explain to someone what ILSR brings to renewable energy policy, look no further. This 16-slide presentation lays out our history, philosophy and out-sized impact fighting for greater local authority and economic returns from renewable energy:

CapX2020 project working through environmental impacts

jfarrell — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:35:19 -0500

CENTERVILLE, Wis. — About 75 residents from area communities affected by the CapX2020 power line project gathered at two public meetings Wednesday at the Centerville community center.

Could California Save 30% or More on Solar With German Policy?

jfarrell — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:59:02 -0500

The Golden State has covered over 50,000 roofs with solar PV in the past decade, but could it also save 30% or more on its current solar costs? It turns out switching energy policies could save ratepayers billions.

If 2011 is a banner year and the state sees 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed capacity, the savings to ratepayers of a CLEAN program (over 20 years) would be nearly $3 billion.

WI Public Service Commission schedules Two Wisconsin EIS Scoping Meetings (CapX2020)

jfarrell — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:48:56 -0500

WI Public Service Commission schedules Two Wisconsin EIS Scoping Meetings (CapX2020)

July 14 in Cochrane, WI

Town opposes running power line over bluffs

jfarrell — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:45:30 -0500

Original date: June 15, 2011

The Baraboo Town Board opposes plans for 150-foot-tall, high-voltage electrical towers marching past the town and over the Baraboo Bluffs.

Proposed power line creating concerns among area residents

jfarrell — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:43:55 -0500

Original date: June 19, 2011

Thousands of area homeowners could someday see more of power lines. That's if the American Transmission Company gets approval from the state Public Service Commission to build a massive power line through western Wisconsin.