In Depth
The 2023 Community Power Scorecard
Maria McCoy
February 23, 2023
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 Initiative grades states on whether their policies help or hinder local clean energy action. READ MORE
Petitioners Ask Feds to Investigate Utility Abuses of Monopoly Power — Episode 158 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
June 9, 2022
For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell and guests Howard Crystal and Liz Veazey discuss a recent petition to the Federal Trade Commission and why electric utility practices require federal investigation. READ MORE
Xcel’s Hosting Capacity Map Is Better, but Needs Improvement Before It’s Useful for Interconnecting Distributed Solar
Maria McCoy
April 8, 2022
In these comments filed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, ILSR notes some improvements in Xcel Energy's hosting capacity map and points to issues that require further attention. READ MORE
Recently Posted
Extremely Comfortable Home Makeovers — Episode 180 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
March 30, 2023
Nate Adams explains how to electrify homes in cold climates, which policies and incentives actually support home electrification, and the problems we must solve to reach net zero emissions by 2050. READ MORE
StarTribune: Utility Lobbying Violates Ratepayers' Free Speech
Maria McCoy
March 23, 2023
In this commentary from the Minneapolis StarTribune, John Farrell makes a case against monopoly utilities using customer funds for political lobbying. Compelling captive customers to pay for political speech is a violation of their first amendment right, says Farrell. READ MORE
New Power Generation Quarterly: 2022 Q4
Maria McCoy
March 16, 2023
8.4 gigawatts of new power generation capacity came online in the fourth quarter of 2022. 60 percent of that total, or nearly six gigawatts, was new solar power. Wind power generation capacity grew steadily with 3.4 gigawatts added. READ MORE
Interconnection and Grid Planning — Episode 179 of Local Energy Rules
Maria McCoy
March 15, 2023
Sky Stanfield discusses how good interconnection policy and proactive grid planning can capitalize on existing distribution infrastructure for the most cost-effective clean energy transition. READ MORE
Arizona Adopts a Useless Community Solar Policy
Maria McCoy
March 9, 2023
On March 7, the Arizona Corporation Commission adopted a community solar policy statement that takes into account few, if any, stakeholder suggestions. The policy has many fatal flaws and will not spur any community solar development in Arizona. READ MORE