US Seed Libraries Mobilize to Protect Their Right to Share

Jay OwenCommunity Development Solutions

Received this from a friend? Subscribe to Shareable’s newsletter.   US Seed Libraries Mobilize to Protect Their Right to Share Seed Librarians come together to meet the new regulatory threat to their vital service. >> Read more How Land Trusts Can Counter New Urbanism’s Gentrifying Tendencies Interview with Aaron Bartley, co-founder of …

Energy Self-Reliant States: Why Aren’t Rural Electric Cooperatives Champions of Local Clean Power?

Jay OwenCommunity Development Solutions, Resource Efficiency

I spoke yesterday at the Illinois Renewable Energy Fair in Oregon, IL, and the presentation will be posted shortly on ILSR.org. Being out in rural Illinois made me wonder, Why Aren’t Rural Electric Cooperatives Champions of Local Clean Power?  A few thoughts shared on the blog… Keep your energy local! …

Energy Self-Reliant States: On the air talking solar ownership!

Jay OwenCommunity Development Solutions, Resource Efficiency, Greentech

On the air talking solar ownership! Community solar gardens are now set to grow in Minnesota, but the PUC decision shows a few weeds that were planted in the original rules for solar adopted in 2013. And I’m on the air talking solar ownership with Arnie Arnesen on WNHN. If …

Same Price, More Renewables. San Diego’s Fight for Community Choice – Episode 23 of Local Energy Rules

Jay OwenCommunity Development Solutions, Greentech

An Island Utility Hinders Incredibly Cost-Effective Solar Power Last week I shared a new podcast about the struggle for local energy in San Diego.  Residents of that city are trying to follow in the footsteps of Marin Clean Energy and Sonoma Clean Power to gain local control over their energy …

[HIP] VOTE for People as an Asset; RSVP for Compelling Events in Impact Investing

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity, SRI/ESG News

  IN THIS ISSUE: I.  Upcoming HIP and Impact Investing Events: Join These Exciting Events & Hear from the HIP experts at many of them II.   Going Fossil-Fuel Free in Your Portfolio?: More Investors are quantifying future risk, especially from the carbon inefficiency of fossil-fuel firms; learn and watch recent HIP …

Energy Self-Reliant States: New Report! Minnesota’s Value of Solar

Jay OwenResource Efficiency

A busy week for democratic energy!  Last week we: Released a comprehensive explainer on Minnesota’s value of solar policy. Fired back at the biggest solar leasing companies in their war on value of solar with An Enormous Question for ‘Solar Choice’. Published a presentation I gave at Electrons on the Run, a …

Energy Self-Reliant States: Could Minnesota’s “Value of Solar” Make Everyone a Winner?

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity

Last week, Minnesota’s utility regulators approved the first state “value of solar” methodology – could it make everyone a winner? Also, I’m off to testify on a bill in Minnesota to study greater energy freedom for cities; specifically, to require a study of community choice aggregation, or as I refer to it, “municipalization …

Energy Self-Reliant States: Five Reasons Solar’s Win Over Gas in Minnesota is Just the Beginning

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity, Community Development Solutions

Last week, I summarized the impact of the judicial ruling requiring Xcel Energy to buy peaking power from solar instead of natural gas: Five Reasons Solar’s Win Over Gas in Minnesota is Just the Beginning.  Also, I was quoted by Minnesota Public Radio about the release of the Minneapolis Energy Pathways …

Energy Self-Reliant States: Positive Policy Changes for Distributed Renewable Energy

Jay OwenGreen Prosperity, Community Development Solutions

The previous week I covered the one thing Obama’s climate policy can’t leave out, and you can judge the President’s climate plan for yourself.  Also, while I’m on “vacation” (moving) you can read (and link to) a web version of the fourth segment of our Rooftop Revolution report. Sincerely, John Positive Policy Changes for …

Last Week from ILSR’s Energy Self-Reliant States: Why Master Limited Partnerships are a Lousy Policy for Solar, Wind, and Taxpayers

Jay OwenResource Efficiency

A thorough explanation of what’s in Minnesota’s new solar law (net metering, CLEAN/FIT, and more!) and why I think Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) would be a lousy idea for renewable energy. Sincerely, John Why Master Limited Partnerships are a Lousy Policy for Solar, Wind, and Taxpayers If you follow the renewable energy industry …