Press Release - September 9, 2010

Community Solar Power: Obstacles and Opportunities

This September 2010 report shows that community solar power can offer unique benefits in the expansion of solar power, from greater participation and ownership of solar to a greater dispersion of the economic benefits of harnessing the sun’s energy. But community solar faces significant barriers in a market where the “old rules” favor corporate, large-scale development. New rules – better community solar policy and regulations – are needed to remove these barriers.
Executive Summary - Full Report

Success & Change in ILSR's Building Deconstruction Program

There has been continued expansion of building deconstruction in federal programs, the private sector and the community development sector. ILSR’s role has changed from one of a general contractor to one of a facilitator, using the talents of trainers and entrepreneurs to advance deconstruction in the U.S. Read more about our changing focus...

Press Release - May 3, 2010

Breaking the Broadband Monopoly: How Communities Are Building the Networks They Need

This May 2010 report is the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis looking at publicly owned broadband networks. Across the country, hundreds of local governments, public power utilities, non-profits, and cooperatives have built successful and sometimes pioneering telecommunication networks that put community needs first. The study provides details on their successes, lessons learned, and illuminates barriers to copying the models.
Executive Summary - Full Report

Municipal Energy Financing: Lessons Learned

Twenty states now allow cities and counties to finance energy efficiency retrofits and on-site renewable energy generation and repay the loan with a property tax assessment. Five municipalities launched Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs in the past two years and these programs have spent $37.5 million to help enable close to 2,000 voluntary residential retrofits. This May 2010 report looks at how these programs have performed, identifies potential obstacles and offers up-and-coming PACE programs some potential solutions to the hurdles.
Executive Summary - Full Report

Institute for Local Self-Reliance Congratulates Chattanooga for Fastest Broadband Network in United States - ILSR Release, September 14, 2010

Community Solar - A New Model for Local Ownership? - ILSR Release, September 9, 2010

Electric Vehicle Policy For the Midwest - A Scoping Document

This December 2009 report was prepared for the RE-AMP network (120+ organizations in eight Midwestern states). The scoping report outlines and makes recommendations on a variety of policy issues related to expanding electric vehicles. The report illustrates the relationships between electric vehicles and other GHG reduction strategies such as fuel economy standards (CAFE), low carbon fuel standards (LCFS) and efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled. Because of their energy storage capability, electrified vehicles will also play an increasingly important role in the expansion of renewable energy and the future elaboration of smart grid technologies. View Executive Summary or Download the Full Report

Energy Self Reliant States 2nd Edition

This October 2009 report expands and updates a similar report done in 2008. States don't need to seek energy imports to meet their renewable energy goals. Almost the entire country west of the Mississippi River and parts of the East coast (a total of 31 states) can serve all their electricity needs with in-state renewable power. Every state could reach its current renewable energy mandate with homegrown renewable resources. More information.

Download the Report

ILSR Launches MuniNetworks.org
ILSR announces a new site focusing on publicly owned broadband networks and the benefits they offer to the community. Muninetworks.org explains the many advantages of community ownership and documents the impressive speeds available from some of the top-performing networks. Community broadband networks offer some of the fastest speeds at the most affordable prices in the United States. More...

Big Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses

In this deft and revealing book, Stacy Mitchell illustrates how mega-retailers are fueling many of our most pressing problems, from the shrinking middle class to rising pollution and diminished civic engagement. She then shows how communities and independent businesses are effectively fighting back. Buy Big Box Swindle Today! [published by Beacon Press]