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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

John Farrell 612-379-3815
jfarrell@ilsr.org

ILSR Launches Energy Self-Reliant States

Building on the highly acclaimed 2009 report of the same name, today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance launches Energy Self-Reliant States, a new website to provide expert analysis and policy solutions for a decentralized renewable energy future.

The 2nd edition of Energy Self-Reliant States made waves last year when it revealed that 3 out of every 5 states could get 100 percent of their electricity from in-state renewable resources such as wind and solar and that every state with a renewable energy mandate could meet it with in-state sources.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.

Building on the highly acclaimed 2009 report of the same name, today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance launches Energy Self-Reliant States, a new website to provide expert analysis and policy solutions for a decentralized renewable energy future.

The 2nd edition of Energy Self-Reliant States made waves last year when it revealed that 3 out of every 5 states could get 100 percent of their electricity from in-state renewable resources such as wind and solar and that every state with a renewable energy mandate could meet it with in-state sources.

"energyselfreliantstates.org will challenge the conventional wisdom that bigger is better in renewable energy," said primary author and ILSR senior researcher John Farrell. "In addition to making the economic case for decentralized renewable energy production, it will highlight the necessary policy tools to enable states and communities to make the most of their renewable energy resources."

Posts to Energy Self-Reliant States will discuss the key elements of a decentralized renewable energy system: capturing economies of scale, expanding electricity storage, maximizing the use of the existing grid, and prioritizing local ownership of renewable energy generation. Analysis posted toenergyselfreliantstates.org will also appear on the leading environmental website Grist.

For more information about the new website visit https://energyselfreliantstates.org. For other work by the New Rules Project of ILSR, visit www.newrules.org.

The Institute's mission is to provide innovative strategies, working models and timely information to support environmentally sound and equitable community development. To this end, ILSR works with citizens, activists, policymakers and entrepreneurs to design systems, policies and enterprises that meet local or regional needs; to maximize human, material, natural and financial resources; and to ensure that the benefits of these systems and resources accrue to all local citizens.