Local Energy Rules

With city and state budgets stretched to their limits, families struggling to stay afloat, and one all-absorbing crisis on everyone’s mind, can clean energy planning proceed in a pandemic?

For this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Charles Utley, Associate Director of Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. With 50 years of grassroots organizing behind him, Utley spearheaded the campaign to commit Augusta, Ga., to 100% clean energy by 2050. Utley talks about his introduction to the zero waste movement, how he convinced the city commission to commit to 100%, and the effects of a global pandemic on city energy planning.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/augusta-georgia-voices-of-100-podcast/

Supporters of clean and affordable energy dream of neighborhoods powered by rooftop solar. In D.C., this vision is becoming reality; the district is en route to 100% renewable energy in just twelve years.

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Yesenia Rivera of Solar United Neighbors (SUN). Rivera was Director of D.C. SUN, but has now become Director of Energy Equity and Inclusion. Rivera leads Farrell, SUN board member and Minnesota co-op participant, on a deep dive into the mission of Solar United Neighbors. The two also take the time to highlight SUN’s successes in D.C.; the hard-earned results of SUN member and staff advocacy.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/sun-dc-solar-for-all-ler-episode-103/

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Yesenia Rivera, Director of Energy Equity and Inclusion for Solar United Neighbors (SUN). The two take a deep dive into the mission and success of Solar United Neighbors in expanding solar access for all in D.C. |

Show page available: https://ilsr.org/sun-dc-solar-for-all-ler-episode-103 |

Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/local-energy-rules-podcast-homepage |

Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

Many cities have already proven the possibility of 100% clean, renewable electricity. For those that are still working towards this goal, patience and persistence are one way to get there.

For this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Traverse City Light and Power board members Amy Shamroe and Tim Werner. Both are also city commissioners, with Shamroe serving as Mayor Pro Tem. Informed by their experience at the intersection between city government and a city-owned utility, the two describe how Traverse City set a goal of 100% renewable energy and how the utility plans to implement it.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/traverse-city-michigan-voices-of-100-podcast/

For this episode of our Voices of 100% series of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Amy Shamroe and Tim Werner of Traverse City. Working at the intersection between city government and a city-owned utility, the two talk about the city’s optimistic, yet pragmatic plan for clean electricity. |

Show page available: https://ilsr.org/traverse-city-michigan-voices-of-100-podcast |

Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/local-energy-rules-podcast-homepage |

Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

When communities have choice, they choose their best interest: clean, affordable, and resilient energy systems.

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jessie Denver, manager of the Distributed Energy Resources Program at East Bay Community Energy. Denver develops customer-side resiliency programming, including rooftop solar with batteries, for East Bay. Farrell and Denver discuss how distributed energy resources can prepare communities for disaster — and increase resilience after it hits.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/east-bay-community-energy-2-ler-episode-101/

In this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Jessie Denver, manager of the Distributed Energy Resources Program at East Bay Community Energy. Farrell and Denver discuss how distributed energy resources can prepare communities for disaster — and increase resilience after it hits. |

Show page available: https://ilsr.org/east-bay-community-energy-2-ler-episode-101 |

Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/local-energy-rules-podcast-homepage |

Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

This week marks a milestone for the Local Energy Rules podcast: 100 episodes. Although the times are grim and uncertain, we hope you take refuge in these visions of a cleaner, more equitable future.

For our 100th episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, we compiled a highlight reel from the Voices of 100% series. This episode celebrates five cities that are working toward our vision: community-driven, equitable, 100% renewable energy economies. As the movement grows, there will only be more voices to share.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources, below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/episode-100-voices-of-100-podcast/

For 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. As the movement grows, there will only be more voices to share. |

Show page available: https://ilsr.org/episode-100-voices-of-100-podcast |

Listen to all of our Local Energy Rules podcast episodes at our site: https://ilsr.org/local-energy-rules-podcast-homepage |

Don't forget to subscribe, share with your friends, leave a recommendation on our podcast feeds, and join the conversation online using the #LocalEnergyRules hashtag!

Can devastating wildfires and a bankrupt utility disrupt the transition to renewable energy? Not in Northern California, where one county is using community choice to help those affected by public safety power shut offs — and pursue its ambitious energy goals.

For this episode of the Local Energy Rules podcast, host John Farrell speaks with Matthew Marshall, Executive Director of Redwood Coast Energy Authority. Redwood Coast is a Community Choice Aggregation entity in Northern California. The two discuss how community choice best serves Humboldt County, setting and achieving ambitious energy goals, and finding local resilience with microgrids.

Listen to the full episode and explore more resources, below — including a transcript and summary of the conversation.

https://ilsr.org/articles/redwood-coast-energy-authority-ler-episode-99/