Local Energy Rules
220 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 36 ratingsThis 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
Is Energy Still a "Natural Monopoly"?
July 30, 2020 13:45 - 45 minutes - 83 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, an interview from ILSR’s Building Local Power podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Scott Hempling about the role of natural monopolies in markets seeking decentralization.… Read More
Co-op Power Raises the Bar for Community Solar Nationwide — Episode 108 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
July 15, 2020 19:05 - 33 minutes - 61.5 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Lynn Benander from Co-op Power about community solar, its barriers, and how communities across the country are building a cleaner, cheaper future.… Read More
Can Southern Cities Sever Ties with Tennessee Valley Monopoly?
July 01, 2020 19:48 - 27 minutes - 50.7 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Maggie Shober of SACE. They discuss how Tennessee Valley Authority grew from a federally mandated utility commission to an unresponsive, restrictive monopoly.… Read More
Voices of 100%: St. Louis Coalition Plans to Put Coal in the Past
June 17, 2020 17:33 - 25 minutes - 47 MBFor this episode of our Voices of 100% series, host John Farrell speaks with Rev. Rodrick Burton and Andy Knott. The three discuss how St. Louis created an inclusive clean energy plan and how the city can get to 100% clean energy, despite coal’s dominance.… Read More
Solar Plus Storage Company Seeks to Disrupt the Status Quo
June 04, 2020 18:51 - 49 minutes - 37 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Anne Hoskins of Sunrun. They discuss how the world’s leading solar-plus-storage vendor is faring in a pandemic and how utility regulation can drive transformative energy policy.… Read More
Solar Plus Storage Company Seeks to Overthrow the Status Quo
June 04, 2020 18:51In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Anne Hoskins of Sunrun. They discuss how the world’s leading solar-plus-storage vendor is faring in a pandemic and how utility regulation can drive transformative energy policy.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Pandemic Pauses Clean Energy Planning in Georgia
May 20, 2020 18:48 - 32 minutes - 25.4 MBFor this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Charles Utley. They discuss Augusta's commitment to 100% renewable energy and how a global pandemic affects city energy planning.… Read More
D.C. Neighbors Unite to Fight for Solar Rights for All
May 06, 2020 14:45 - 25 minutes - 19.8 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Yesenia Rivera of United Neighbors. The two take a deep dive into the mission and success of SUN in expanding solar access for all in D.C.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Michigan City Sets Steady Pace to a Clean Electricity Goal
April 22, 2020 21:20 - 32 minutes - 26.9 MBFor this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Amy Shamroe and Tim Werner. They talk about the city’s optimistic, yet pragmatic plan for clean energy in Traverse City.… Read More
Local Energy Production Builds Resiliency in the Bay Area
April 08, 2020 17:37 - 29 minutes - 21.2 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jessie Denver of East Bay Community Energy. Farrell and Denver discuss how distributed energy resources can prepare communities for disaster — and increase resilience after it hits.… Read More
Celebrating 100: A Spotlight on 6 Leaders of 100% Renewable Cities
March 25, 2020 20:07 - 33 minutes - 24.4 MBFor our 100th episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, we compiled a highlight reel from the Voices of 100% series. This episode celebrates the cities that are working toward our vision: community-driven, equitable, 100% renewable energy economies.… Read More
In the Wake of Wildfires, California Community Chooses Local Power
March 11, 2020 19:32 - 31 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Matthew Marshall, Executive Director of Redwood Coast Energy Authority. The two discuss the community choice energy model and finding local resilience with microgrids.… Read More
California Community Ignites Choice Model and Stays in the Driver's Seat
February 26, 2020 21:29 - 29 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jessica Tovar, Coordinator of the East Bay Clean Power Alliance. Tovar and Farrell talked in December 2018 about East Bay Community Energy and the necessity of local energy generation developed with input from the community.… Read More
Voices of 100%: A Long Island Town’s Ambitious Plan to Protect its Coast and Procure Clean Energy
February 12, 2020 19:47 - 30 minutes - 21.9 MBFor this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with John Bouvier, a town council member of Southampton, New York. The two discuss setting ambitious goals, the unique challenges coastal communities face, and how Southampton’s work is driven by both technical experts and community stakeholders.… Read More
Oregon Co-op Law Lets Everyday People Invest in Local Renewable Energy
January 29, 2020 16:36 - 27 minutes - 21.9 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Dan Orzech, General Manager of the Oregon Clean Power Cooperative. Farrell and Orzech discuss how a renewable energy cooperative operates, the importance of local energy for Oregon, and how this model can spread beyond the state’s boundaries.… Read More
Community Choice is Just One Strategy for a Sustainable Westchester
January 15, 2020 15:34 - 39 minutes - 26.3 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Sustainable Westchester’s Nina Orville and Dan Welsh. The three discuss the benefits of the organization’s many efforts in New York, which include a community choice aggregation program, a sustainable heating initiative, and community solar projects.… Read More
Cooperative Ownership Puts Community Solar in the Community
January 01, 2020 15:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Subin DeVar of the Sustainable Economies Law Center about the nation’s first residential rooftop community solar project. In addition to directing SELC’s community renewable energy program, DeVar is on the board of the People Power Solar Cooperative, which developed the novel project.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Climate Justice Plan Upends Typical City Process, Putting Communities First
December 18, 2019 18:19 - 30 minutes - 21.4 MBIn this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Providence Director of Sustainability Leah Bamberger. The two talk about how energy democracy runs through the city’s new climate justice plan, which centers frontline communities in Providence.… Read More
Island Utility Aims for Two-Thirds Renewable Energy by 2020
December 04, 2019 15:00 - 30 minutes - 23 MBFor this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with David Bissell, CEO of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. The two talk about the utility’s renewable energy achievement, the challenges of operating a utility on an island, and how Kauai provides a “postcard from the future” for other U.S. utilities.… Read More
Turkey Talk: Energy Policy and Thanksgiving
November 28, 2019 14:00 - 35 minutes - 33.6 MBIn this special episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with ILSR Co-founder David Morris and ILSR Research Associate Maria McCoy. The two tell local energy stories sharing a Thanksgiving theme: the failure of a turkey litter-fueled power plant in Minnesota and the ban of gas hookups in Berkeley, Calif.… Read More
Voices of 100%: When 100% Renewable Electricity Isn't Enough, Burlington Targets Net Zero
November 20, 2019 15:00 - 35 minutes - 24.9 MBIn this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with two leaders in Burlington, Vermont, about the completed 100% renewable electricity transition. Mayor Miro Weinberger and Darren Springer, general manager of Burlington Electric, explain how the city now looks ahead to “net zero.”… Read More
A New Deal for Electric Co-ops: How Members Can Exercise Ownership to Strengthen Democracy
November 06, 2019 20:57 - 35 minutes - 27.2 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Liz Veazey, Network Director of We Own It, and Chris Woolery, Residential Energy Coordinator at the MACED. The three discuss a new Rural Electric Co-op Toolkit.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Colorado Town’s Residents and Businesses Join Forces for Clean Energy
October 23, 2019 15:53 - 37 minutes - 26.6 MBIn this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell asks Lissa Ray (climate activist) and Monique DiGiorgio (Managing Director of Local First) about Durango, Colo.’s recent commitment to 100% clean, renewable electricity.… Read More
Evaluating the Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership, Five Years In
October 18, 2019 14:01 - 25 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Minneapolis City Council member Cam Gordon. Farrell and Gordon, with help from Alice Madden of Community Power, talk about the Minneapolis clean energy partnership on its fifth anniversary.… Read More
Why Gas Has to Go – and How Cities Can Show it the Door
October 09, 2019 13:46 - 32 minutes - 25.9 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Kate Harrison, City Council member for Berkeley, Calif., and Sean Armstrong, Zero Net Energy Designer and Managing Principal at Redwood Energy. The three discuss how Berkeley's gas ban will improve health, save money, and save the climate.… Read More
Voices of 100%: South Carolina City Tries Green Energy in a Red State
September 25, 2019 18:57 - 22 minutes - 17.3 MBIn this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, Mayor Stephen Benjamin discusses the importance of local initiative, taking action on climate in the South, and how to ensure that a clean energy transition benefits everyone.… Read More
From the Archive: South Miami, a Bright Spot for Solar in the Sunshine State
September 11, 2019 15:41 - 24 minutes - 23 MBIn the wake of Hurricane Dorian, we revisit our 2018 interview with South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard – who recently used his own solar and storage to go off of the grid for a week. Could distributed solar be the mechanism for a more resilient electric grid?… Read More
Voices of 100%: Will Oklahoma Cities Follow Norman’s Lead to Renewable Energy?
August 28, 2019 18:42 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, Mayor Breea Clark explains what drove Norman, Okla., to make the 100% renewable pledge and its plans to tackle the ambitious goal.… Read More
The Environment, The Economy, and Equity
August 14, 2019 15:00 - 33 minutes - 23.9 MBOn this rebroadcast of the Building Local Power podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Denise Fairchild. The two discuss energy democracy within the context of a book she co-edited, titled "Energy Democracy: Advancing Equity in Clean Energy Solutions." … Read More
Voices of 100%: Cleveland Commits to Clean and Equitable Energy
July 31, 2019 19:33 - 24 minutes - 23.5 MBFor this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell talks with Jocelyn Travis, Campaign Manager for the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 campaign in Cleveland. The two met in Milwaukee at the RE-AMP annual meeting to discuss equity in the clean energy transition.… Read More
Lights Out? Not for This Michigan City
July 17, 2019 15:00 - 27 minutes - 24.5 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, host John Farrell speaks with Maria Thomas, Outreach and Organizing Coordinator for Soulardarity. The two discussed energy democracy, and Soulardarity’s work in Highland Park, live in Milwaukee at the RE-AMP annual meeting.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Can Philadelphia and its Suburbs Revolutionize Their Local Energy System?
July 03, 2019 15:00 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBMore than 100 U.S. cities have now set ambitious commitments to transition to renewable energy, but how are they making these goals a reality? In this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we dig into what has given 16 suburbs of Philadelphia an edge over the central city in making commitments to 100% renewable energy, and what strategies both suburbs and the city can take to make progress.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Small Iowa Town Pushes for Energy Independence
June 20, 2019 16:33 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBMore than 100 U.S. cities have now set ambitious commitments to transition to renewable energy, but how are they working to make these goals a reality? In this episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we feature the small town of Bloomfield, Iowa, its goal of reaching energy independence, and what investments it is making to reach that goal.… Read More
Using Disaster to Build a New, (d)emocratic Energy Paradigm
June 06, 2019 15:25 - 35 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this May 2019 interview, ILSR’s Director of Energy Democracy John Farrell, and Ingrid Vila - an engineer and director of Cambio, a Puerto Rico based nonprofit - discussed the enormous opportunity, and the pitfalls the island must avoid, to seize the island's chance for energy democracy.… Read More
A Local First Approach to Rebuilding Puerto Rico’s Electricity System
May 23, 2019 14:43 - 25 minutes - 17 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell speaks with Marcel Castro Sitiriche about the challenges Puerto Rico faces in building a local, clean, and resilient energy system in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Youth Push Small Minnesota Town to Act on Changing Climate and Invest in Local, Renewable Energy
May 09, 2019 12:04 - 28 minutes - 20.2 MBMore than 100 U.S. cities have now set goals to transition to 100 percent renewable energy, but how are they working to make these goals a reality? In a new episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we feature the small town of Grand Marais, Minn., and the strategies it is using to achieve its ambitious local, clean energy commitment.… Read More
From the Archive: A David and Goliath Fight to Tap World Class Solar
April 25, 2019 16:01 - 16 minutes - 11 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, we revisit an earlier episode from our archives in which ILSR’s Director of Energy Democracy, John Farrell speaks with Mariel Nanasi of New Mexico’s New Energy Economy about how the citizens of Santa Fe could benefit from the economic and environmental benefits of switching to a city-owned utility. … Read More
Why Garbage Incinerators Are A Bad Deal For Communities
April 11, 2019 11:12 - 37 minutes - 28.6 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell speaks with colleagues Marie Donahue and Neil Seldman about the harmful impacts of burning trash to generate electricity. The discussion digs into ILSR’s late-2018 report Waste Incineration: A Dirty Secret in How States Define Renewable Energy and passage of the Baltimore Clean Air Act, a policy which will help shut down the city’s highly polluting waste incinerator.… Read More
A Massachusetts Town Realizes a Community Vision to Transition from Coal to Sol
March 28, 2019 14:02 - 29 minutes - 22.4 MBIn this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, John Farrell interviews Lena Entin about an inspiring and successful community-driven campaign in Holyoke, Mass., to shut down an aging coal plant operated by one of the world’s largest multinational electric utility companies. The two discuss the campaign’s efforts to replace the dirty plant with clean energy to improve health outcomes for the community and provide a just transition for the power plant’s workers.… Read More
Don't-Miss Opportunity for Local Choice in Landmark Carbon-Free Bills
March 08, 2019 17:23 - 33 minutes - 21 MBIn New Mexico, proposed climate legislation would give one of the state’s monopoly utilities a huge handout, leaving customers holding the bag. In a new episode of Local Energy Rules, Mariel Nanasi of the New Energy Economy speaks with John Farrell about this bill setting a dangerous precedent and the alternative opportunity to support local choice and build wealth in New Mexico communities, instead.… Read More
Boulder Takes Bold Steps to Support Local Renewable Energy
March 06, 2019 20:46 - 37 minutes - 29.9 MBOver 100 U.S. cities have now set goals to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. In a new episode of our Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we feature the city of Boulder, Colo., and the strategies it is using to make its ambitious local, clean energy goal a reality.… Read More
Planning for Local Energy and Climate Action in Minneapolis
February 14, 2019 13:15 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this episode of Local Energy Rules, Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell speaks with Minneapolis City Councilmember Jeremy Schroeder about the city’s unique partnership with its incumbent utility companies and other tools the city can use to address climate change locally.… Read More
Small Minnesota Community Faces David v. Goliath Negotiation for Community Solar — Episode 69 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
February 01, 2019 16:22 - 21 minutes - 29.4 MBWhat does it take to build a community solar project (with battery storage) in a small town in northern Minnesota when the monopoly wholesale energy company tells your small city-owned utility to “lawyer up”? In this podcast episode, we talk with Bill Schnell of Grand Rapids, Minn., about that community's effort negotiate a project deal with the community's much larger utility supplier.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Midwestern City Pressures Incumbent Utility to Clean Up Its Act
January 24, 2019 17:23 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBToday, over 100 U.S. cities have made formal commitments to 100 percent renewable energy. In our seventh episode of the Voices of 100% series from Local Energy Rules, we highlight how Madison, Wis., is pushing their coal-heavy, investor-owned utility to change its ways. Raj Shukla, chair of the Sustainable Madison Committee, shares lessons for how cities can advance local climate action and renewable power goals by putting pressure on their incumbent utilities.… Read More
A ‘Year of 100’ for Local, Renewable Energy in 2018
December 31, 2018 13:30 - 33 minutes - 45.7 MBIn 2018, numerous states, utilities, and cities made big resolutions to shift to 100 percent clean energy. In a special New Year’s episode of Local Energy Rules, John Farrell and Marie Donahue from ILSR’s Energy Democracy team discuss their take on this “Year of 100.” The two recap the year’s most notable clean energy commitments and what’s on the horizon for local, renewable energy in 2019.… Read More
Two Rural Electric Cooperatives Overcome Barriers to Clean, Local Energy — Episode 66 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
December 13, 2018 23:38 - 27 minutes - 28 MBIn our latest Local Energy Rules podcast, John Farrell joins leaders from Farmers Electric Cooperative in Iowa and Kit Carson Electric Cooperative in New Mexico, to discuss how rural areas can source their power locally and renewably. Rural electric co-op leaders Warren McKenna and Luis Reyes share from experience how local renewable energy provides win-wins for co-ops, member-owners, and their local economy.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Abita Springs Fights for Community Solar in Louisiana
November 19, 2018 22:52 - 26 minutes - 35.7 MBNearly 100 U.S. cities of different sizes have made formal commitments to 100 percent renewable energy. In our sixth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, we feature the small town of Abita Springs, the first city in Louisiana to set such a goal. LeAnn Magee, who chairs the grassroots, volunteer-led Abita Committee for Energy Sustainability that helped pass the town’s resolution, speaks with co-director of ILSR and Energy Democracy initiative director John Farr...
Solar Co-ops Support Clean Energy Advances in D.C. — Episode 64 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
November 13, 2018 16:00 - 28 minutes - 17.3 MBHow does a growing, national nonprofit organization help homeowners complete the circle between clean energy ownership and policy advocacy? ILSR’s Energy Democracy Initiative director John Farrell talks with Anya Schoolman of Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in this October 2018 recording about two major clean energy policies before the Washington, D.C., city council. SUN's solar co-op model has spread to 10 states, and builds the constituency for clean energy policy.… Read More
Voices of 100%: Will Portland Voters Opt for New Equitable Clean Energy Fund?
October 31, 2018 16:49 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBAcross the U.S., over 80 cities have made commitments to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. In our fifth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, Alan Hipólito, director of Verde and advocate with the Portland Clean Energy Initiative, speaks with John Farrell about a unique initiative on Portland, Oregon’s ballot this Election Day. The two discuss what inspired Portland’s grassroots campaign and, if passed, how the city will fund a local, clean energy tra...
Voices of 100%: Atlanta Works Toward Clean Energy for All
October 10, 2018 20:50 - 21 minutes - 29.7 MBAcross the U.S., over 80 cities have made commitments to transition to 100 percent renewable energy. As the largest such city in the Southeast, the city of Atlanta has been a regional leader in evaluating how to succeed. In our fourth episode of Voices of 100%, a multi-part series of Local Energy Rules, Atlanta’s Energy Programs Manager Megan O’Neil speaks with John Farrell about the city’s relationship with its incumbent utility, what mix of renewable and energy efficiency makes sense, and h...