SmartCities.org

When widespread rollbacks in recycling programs throughout Hawaii led to renewed calls for waste-to-energy, Recycle Hawaii commissioned ILSR to analyze the status of technologies promoted as environmentally friendly. This memorandum highlights the findings of that analysis, which drew on the expertise of specialists familiar with pyrolysis and gasification technologies and also reviewed relevant trends as a means to create a context for Hawaii-based policy makers. ILSR found that both gasification and pyrolysis have failed to live up to the promise of a cost effective and nonpolluting technology.… Read More

Yesterday, following weeks of anticipation, State Gov. Jay Islee signed the Public Broadband Act (H.B. 1336), removing all restrictions on public broadband in the state of Washington, according to the bill’s primary sponsor, State Rep. Drew Hansen. This critical leap forward in Washington drops the number of states with laws restricting community broadband to 17. … Read More

NY-Sun’s Shared Renewables program, enacted by the Reforming the Energy Vision initiative in 2017, offers community solar to homes and businesses. This post summarizes the policy and compiles additional New York community solar resources.… Read More

The Biden Administration signed the American Rescue Plan Act, which included, among many other things, multiple sources of funds for broadband infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Treasury was tasked with writing the rules of how local governments can spend the various funds. The Interim Rule has been published and it appears to significantly limit local ability to invest in needed networks. … Read More

In this episode of Building Local Power, host Jess Del Fiacco is joined by three ILSR colleagues to discuss recent news and upcoming policy decisions that could have major ramifications on local-level solutions.  … Read More

On May 18, citizens in Waukesha County, WI will have one final opportunity to comment on a highly controversial effort to move a hazardous waste landfill at a hearing to be held by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.… Read More

Stacy Mitchell participated in a Senate briefing with other leading experts, organizers, and impacted communities to expose the ways monopoly power poses a threat to our democracy, the health of our economy, and our country’s already severe racial disparities.… Read More

More than 80 energy justice, environmental and community groups submitted a letter today in support of a petition seeking to prevent utility companies from funneling ratepayer money to trade associations engaged in political activities.… Read More

The goal of needed infrastructure investment in recycling can be accomplished without undermining local control. “Municipal Stewardship EPR” is a clear option for making progress toward Zero Waste.… Read More

Composting cuts waste, enhances soil, protects the climate, and builds community (including jobs). Use our new graphics to share these benefits! … Read More