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The Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s podcast to break monopoly power.
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This bi-weekly podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shares powerful stories of local renewable energy, from mayors discussing their city’s commitment to 100% renewable energy to tales of innovative community owned solar to questions about the the best rooftop solar policy. Join host John Farrell, the director of the Institute’s Energy Democracy Initiative, as he asks if the 100-year-old monopoly market structure for electricity delivery makes sense in an on-demand, distributed ...
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Short interviews with people doing interesting things to expand broadband networks that put community needs first.
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The Building for Digital Equity Podcast features interviews with people working toward digital equity - where everyone is able to take advantage of the Internet. We will explore solutions and share lessons learned by people doing the work, primarily through interviews at events where these people gather to share experiences and learn from each other.
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Standing Rock’s Wind Project Puts People First
53:44
53:44
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A community-owned clean energy project has a lot more to offer than just electricity. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Christina Hollenback, CEO of Justice Capital, and Joseph McNeil, CEO of SAGE Development Authority. They discuss how SAGE Development Authority has created a model for community-led…
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Wired for Good: Exploring Rural Connectivity in West Virginia - Episode 597 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
35:52
35:52
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In this latest episode of the podcast, Chris and Derek from Hardy Telecommunications discuss the cooperative's journey since 1953, expanding from phone to broadband services, vital for rural areas. They share the challenges of being a small provider, the impact of federal funding, and emphasize the importance of partnerships and ongoing support for…
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Born and raised in DC, Kehmari Norman established her flower shop to bridge culture and floristry. The visionary behind Black Flower Market drew from her background as a stage designer at Temple University, transforming her skills into landscape design, and intertwining environmentalism with entrepreneurship. Throughout the episode, Kehmari highlig…
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Debunking Municipal Broadband Myths - Episode 596 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
31:15
31:15
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In this latest episode of the podcast, Chris and Sean explore the arguments against municipal broadband, addressing claims made by opponents and highlighting success stories of community-owned networks. They emphasize the importance of local autonomy in broadband decisions, advocating for solutions that meet each community's needs. ★ Support this p…
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Ann Arbor’s Public Pathway to Reliable Power
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38:24
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DTE Energy is not meeting Ann Arbor’s needs for reliable, renewable electricity. Could a municipal takeover be the answer to residents’ pleas? For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Gregory Woodring, the president and founder of Ann Arbor for Public Power. They discuss the ways that investor-owned utility…
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Pierrette Dagg on Research, Engagement, and Digital Inclusion - Building for Digital Equity Podcast Episode 17
10:26
10:26
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Our Building for Digital Equity podcast series is back with an insightful conversation with Pierrette Renée Dagg, Director of Research for the MERIT Network in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Pierrette discusses the importance of using research to inform community engagement and digital equity strategies, as well as the use of community-facing research method…
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In the heart of Detroit, a movement is underway to rebuild democracy and economic power from the ground up. The Detroit Community Wealth Fund sits at the epicenter of this movement, providing non-extractive capital and technical assistance that empowers local businesses and cooperatives. Co-founder Margo Dalal and director of community programming …
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A Deep Dive into Iowa Broadband: Challenges, Solutions, and Collaboration - Episode 595 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
29:52
29:52
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In this latest podcast episode, Christopher and Curtis Dean from the Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN) discuss the state of broadband in Iowa. They highlight the challenges faced by local providers, emphasize the importance of local control, and announce upcoming events like the CBAN Spring Summit, fostering collaboration for equitable broa…
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Local solar offers relief from exorbitant electric rates, but San Diego may need a different utility business model to see dramatic savings. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Dorrie Bruggemann and Bill Powers, Campaign Coordinator and Campaign Chair of the Power San Diego ballot initiative. They disc…
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The Question of Internet Affordability Beyond ACP - Episode 594 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
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25:34
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In the latest podcast episode, Christopher, Ry Marcattilio, and Sean Gonsalves discuss the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the urgent need for sustainable internet affordability solutions in the U.S. They highlight successful models of community-owned broadband networks from Pharr, Texas, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and provide …
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Mama Shu’s journey began with a profound commitment: healing her community. Despite the challenges faced by her hometown of Highland Park, Mama Shu felt a deep connection to the area. Determined to make a difference, she embarked on a mission to reclaim neglected spaces, tirelessly working to steward the land, organize the community, and secure res…
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Unlocking Community-Driven Broadband Initiatives with Brian Snider - Episode 593 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
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In this podcast episode, Christopher speaks with Brian Snider, founder of Lit Communities, discussing his extensive experience in the broadband industry and the importance of community-driven broadband initiatives. They emphasize the need for innovative business models to bridge the digital divide and highlight the significance of education and wor…
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Arizona’s High Stakes Utility Election — Episode 205 of Local Energy Rules
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An April election could make an Arizona utility accountable to all of its customers. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Charlie Fisher, Executive Director of Arizonans for a Clean Economy. They discuss the upcoming Salt River Project election and how clean energy advocates could flip the public utilit…
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Data Challenges for Equitable Broadband Access In Fresno, CA and Beyond - Episode 592 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
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43:56
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In this podcast episode, Christopher speaks with Philip Neufeld, Executive Officer for Information Technology at the Fresno Unified School District, about the vital role of data in addressing broadband challenges in low-income areas. They discuss Neufeld's proactive data collection efforts, stress the importance of using this data for advocacy, and…
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Reneé’s journey began with a simple idea: composting isn’t just about reducing waste — it’s about building communities. Reneé V. Wallace, executive director at FoodPLUS Detroit, empowers Detroiters to drive systemic change within themselves, their homes, and throughout their community. Through innovative pilot projects like banding neighbors togeth…
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Without Political Power, There is No Path to Digital Equity - Episode 591 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
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Episode 591 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast features a panel from Net Inclusion that Christopher Mitchell moderated entitled, "Without Political Power, There is No Path to Digital Equity." In it, panelists raise difficult questions for the digital equity movement about whether they are on track to achieve their goals - whether the main stra…
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Technology is outpacing laws and regulations in the energy industry, too. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Michael Murray, President of Mission:data Coalition. Murray explains the many capabilities of smart meters, his critique of a Rhode Island utility proposal to expand advanced metering, and how …
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Lincoln Park and Smart City Initiatives in Fort Pierce with Jason Mittler - Episode 590 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
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29:52
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In this podcast episode, Christopher and Jason Mittler discuss the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Network, a fiber optic network in Fort Pierce, Florida, highlighting its diverse applications in providing Internet, utility services, smart grid solutions, and smart city services. They also touch on the Lincoln Park Smart Neighborhood project, addre…
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Lanay Gilbert-Williams, born and raised in Detroit, experienced a childhood marked by both trauma and love, instilling in her a deep sense of community. On this episode of Building Local Power: The City Series, Lanay shares her journey to becoming the board president of The Detroit People’s Food Cooperative, a grocery store grounded in the principl…
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People Over Profit: DigitalC's Mission to Connect Communities in Cleveland- Episode 589 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
38:15
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This week on the podcast, Christopher talks with Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, a nonprofit in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to bridging the digital divide. DigitalC provides fast, affordable internet at $18/month, along with digital literacy training and device deployment. They've recently secured a $20 million contract from the city to expand thei…
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Planning is Good, but Pivoting is Better in Fort Collins, Colorado - Episode 588 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
38:06
38:06
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This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Chad Crager, Broadband Executive Director at City of Fort Collins, to talk about the rapidly maturing city-owned network they call Connexion. From a feasibility study in 2018 to the lion's share of construction completed today, Connexion's story illustrates the value of being nimble when expectatio…
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Coordinated grid services benefit virtually everyone — with the exception of utility shareholders. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Chris Rauscher, Head of Grid Services and Virtual Power Plants at Sunrun. Sunrun has partnered with utilities to reward their residential customers who dispatch electri…
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A vibrant independent bookstore symbolizes a shared community enthusiasm for learning, discovery, heritage, and progress. Source Booksellers, nestled in Detroit, has long been a reliable hub for non-fiction literature. Janet W. Jones established the store in 1989 and nurtured her daughter, Alyson Jones Turner, amidst its shelves. Alyson recounts th…
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10 Years of Minnesota’s Community Solar Program
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45:15
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Monopoly utilities give distributed energy advocates little time to celebrate their victories. For this episode of the Local Energy Rules Podcast, host John Farrell is joined by Pouya Najmaie, Policy and Regulatory Director at Cooperative Energy Futures. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Minnesota’s community solar program, its many regu…
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