“Ethical Markets urges VOTE NO on Amendment 1.
Thanks. ~Hazel Henderson, Editor”
Last week, we published a raft of new material. First, we show that residential and commercial demand response programs can make a big dent in power system needs. With real-time pricing and some automation of common household appliances, residential demand response could cut peak energy use by 4% in Minneapolis, MN, for example. Also, we published a mea culpa on our analysis of the loss of the federal tax credit. The impact is bigger than we thought, but smaller than you’d think, and it only highlights the problems of using the tax code to provide clean energy incentives. And if you haven’t already seen our Community Power map, you may enjoy two new blog posts on some of the featured places, including a review of the efforts to expand solar in Milwaukee and a solar cooperative helping drive down the cost of residential solar in Florida.
Keep your energy local!
John
In Florida’s Fight for Renewables, New Co-op Network Eyes Solar
The solar amendment in Florida this November vastly benefits entrenched incumbent utilities, not locally-owned renewable energy. A new solar cooperative is trying to change the narrative around renewables in the Sunshine State.
Further Thoughts on the Economics of Losing the Federal Solar Tax Credit
Check out my updated analysis of the Federal Solar Tax Credit and how much of the benefits from the tax end up in Wall Street investors’ pockets rather than in local communities’.
Report: Sparking Grid Savings at Home
Your refrigerator, thermostat, and water heater can all enable energy democracy through greater consumer choice in renewable energy. Read our latest report on demand response.
Short-Sighted Utility Stymies Solar in Milwaukee
The potential benefits of community renewable energy are enormous, however, Milwaukee’s utility is limiting the ability of their customers to participate in community buying of renewable energy and other potential benefits.
In Maryland, Community Solar Pioneers Offer Blueprint
Community solar projects in both University Park and Greenbelt, Maryland are paying dividends for their town’s electric grids and investors. Through 2015, both projects have already earned back over half of their initial buy-in amounts.
San Diego Sets Vision, Vets Options for 100% Renewables
Late last year, San Diego became the largest U.S. city to enact a 100% renewable electricity mix target. Large questions are looming over how the city will reach this ambitious benchmark by 2035.
Report: Is Bigger Best in Renewable Energy?
Conventional wisdom suggests the biggest wind and solar power plants will be cheapest, but where they deliver power, and who will own them, matters more. Our newest report analyzes the economics and concludes that size doesn’t matter (in the way you think).
Reviewing Two Years of a Novel City-Utility Partnership
The first-in-the-nation Clean Energy Partnership has reached the end of its first two-year work plan and has gathered a lot of baseline data. But is it successful?
2 years ago, Minneapolis entered into a Clean Energy Partnership. Our research associate, Karlee Weinmann, interviewed me on the history of this process and the future of these partnerships in cities across the country.