Institute for Local Self-Reliance
@ilsr.bsky.social
Fighting corporate monopolies and building local power since 1974.
Learn more: ilsr.org/newsletter-signup
Learn more: ilsr.org/newsletter-signup
Longtime California bookstore chain Books Inc. filed for bankruptcy in January 2025. In September, Barnes & Noble announced plans to acquire Books Inc., keeping the store's brand identity intact and retaining employees. This is good news, right? Well, it's complicated. 🧵 1/
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Longtime California bookstore chain Books Inc. filed for bankruptcy in January 2025. In September, Barnes & Noble announced plans to acquire Books Inc., keeping the store's brand identity intact and retaining employees. This is good news, right? Well, it's complicated. 🧵 1/
Our Local Energy Policy Toolkit is now available to all lawmakers and advocates who want to build clean energy economies in their community — without waiting for Congress.
Check it out: ilsr.org/energy/local...
Check it out: ilsr.org/energy/local...
Local Energy Policy Toolkit | ILSR Energy Democracy Initiative
Find policy tools, examples, and interactive stories from cities and towns taking action to promote local, clean energy and fight corporate control.
ilsr.org
November 4, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Our Local Energy Policy Toolkit is now available to all lawmakers and advocates who want to build clean energy economies in their community — without waiting for Congress.
Check it out: ilsr.org/energy/local...
Check it out: ilsr.org/energy/local...
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Students shouldn’t have to park outside McDonald’s to access WiFi. Reliable internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic need.
Read our Q&A with @ilsr.bsky.social on "connection insecurity," the growing digital divide leaving too many college students behind. hope.temple.edu/hope-blog/ke...
Read our Q&A with @ilsr.bsky.social on "connection insecurity," the growing digital divide leaving too many college students behind. hope.temple.edu/hope-blog/ke...
October 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Students shouldn’t have to park outside McDonald’s to access WiFi. Reliable internet isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic need.
Read our Q&A with @ilsr.bsky.social on "connection insecurity," the growing digital divide leaving too many college students behind. hope.temple.edu/hope-blog/ke...
Read our Q&A with @ilsr.bsky.social on "connection insecurity," the growing digital divide leaving too many college students behind. hope.temple.edu/hope-blog/ke...
As @wired.com points out in a new cover story, Big Tech has abandoned any semblance of progressive culture and politics in favor of bending the knee to the Trump administration. It's as if Facebook went from leaning in to bowing down. 🧵 1/
www.wired.com/politics-iss...
www.wired.com/politics-iss...
ALL HAIL THE TECHNOCRACY
Tech went all in on Trump this year. It's just the beginning.
www.wired.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
As @wired.com points out in a new cover story, Big Tech has abandoned any semblance of progressive culture and politics in favor of bending the knee to the Trump administration. It's as if Facebook went from leaning in to bowing down. 🧵 1/
www.wired.com/politics-iss...
www.wired.com/politics-iss...
Are local governments capable of handling something as complex as building and maintaining broadband networks? If history is any indication, they absolutely are.
For more than a century, local governments have managed and maintained significant engineering projects.
For more than a century, local governments have managed and maintained significant engineering projects.
October 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Are local governments capable of handling something as complex as building and maintaining broadband networks? If history is any indication, they absolutely are.
For more than a century, local governments have managed and maintained significant engineering projects.
For more than a century, local governments have managed and maintained significant engineering projects.
🌟 🌟 Congratulations to our co-director, John Farrell, on receiving @mnseia.bsky.social Melissa Hortman Lifetime Achievement Award — a recognition that carries deep meaning.
ILSR's John Farrell to Receive Melissa Hortman Lifetime Achievement Award
The recognition celebrates Farrell's contributions to solar energy adoption, particularly through rooftop and community solar programs.
ilsr.org
October 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
🌟 🌟 Congratulations to our co-director, John Farrell, on receiving @mnseia.bsky.social Melissa Hortman Lifetime Achievement Award — a recognition that carries deep meaning.
What does the Jimmy Kimmel saga have to do with corporate consolidation? Quite a bit, turns out. 🧵 1/
September 26, 2025 at 10:13 PM
What does the Jimmy Kimmel saga have to do with corporate consolidation? Quite a bit, turns out. 🧵 1/
Superior, Wisconsin, recently launched its ConnectSuperior broadband infrastructure to bring more reliable, more affordable Internet connectivity to the city.
How it works: Superior provides the infrastructure for the network, and private companies compete to provide customers with access. 1/
How it works: Superior provides the infrastructure for the network, and private companies compete to provide customers with access. 1/
September 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Superior, Wisconsin, recently launched its ConnectSuperior broadband infrastructure to bring more reliable, more affordable Internet connectivity to the city.
How it works: Superior provides the infrastructure for the network, and private companies compete to provide customers with access. 1/
How it works: Superior provides the infrastructure for the network, and private companies compete to provide customers with access. 1/
72 percent of electricity customers in the United States are served by monopoly investor-owned Utilities.
Aside from being stuck with high rates and poor service, what else does electricity provided by an investor-owned utility get you? 1/
Aside from being stuck with high rates and poor service, what else does electricity provided by an investor-owned utility get you? 1/
August 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
72 percent of electricity customers in the United States are served by monopoly investor-owned Utilities.
Aside from being stuck with high rates and poor service, what else does electricity provided by an investor-owned utility get you? 1/
Aside from being stuck with high rates and poor service, what else does electricity provided by an investor-owned utility get you? 1/
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
1. Today, ILSR filed a motion in federal court to unseal the FTC’s antitrust complaint against PepsiCo. The case bears directly on high grocery prices and food deserts — and would've marked a crucial revival of the long-neglected Robinson-Patman Act. But the public may never get to see it.
August 5, 2025 at 12:51 PM
1. Today, ILSR filed a motion in federal court to unseal the FTC’s antitrust complaint against PepsiCo. The case bears directly on high grocery prices and food deserts — and would've marked a crucial revival of the long-neglected Robinson-Patman Act. But the public may never get to see it.
Deadline extended! Make sure to get your application in by Friday, August 1 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
The social, environmental, and economic benefits of local composting can transform neighborhoods. That’s why we’re awarding $10,000 grants to up to 15 composting projects serving historically excluded communities in New England and NYC!
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
July 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Deadline extended! Make sure to get your application in by Friday, August 1 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
A new law made it harder for low-income families to stay connected, cutting internet costs from SNAP eligibility.
As @gbsohn.bsky.social says in @prospect.org: this bill forces families to choose between food and internet.
More from @ilsr.bsky.social's Sean Gonsalves: prospect.org/health/2025-...
As @gbsohn.bsky.social says in @prospect.org: this bill forces families to choose between food and internet.
More from @ilsr.bsky.social's Sean Gonsalves: prospect.org/health/2025-...
The Big Beautiful Bill’s Ugly Choice: Internet or Food?
The Republican budget bill cuts food assistance benefits to households that pay for internet access.
prospect.org
July 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A new law made it harder for low-income families to stay connected, cutting internet costs from SNAP eligibility.
As @gbsohn.bsky.social says in @prospect.org: this bill forces families to choose between food and internet.
More from @ilsr.bsky.social's Sean Gonsalves: prospect.org/health/2025-...
As @gbsohn.bsky.social says in @prospect.org: this bill forces families to choose between food and internet.
More from @ilsr.bsky.social's Sean Gonsalves: prospect.org/health/2025-...
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Public power advocates! @ilsr.bsky.social just released our Public Power Handbook, with step-by-step guidance on how to municipalize (take over) a private electric utility: ilsr.org/articles/pub...
A Handbook For Public Power Campaigns - ILSR Energy Democracy Initiative
A one-stop resource for public power advocates preparing campaigns to take over their electric utility.
ilsr.org
July 23, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Public power advocates! @ilsr.bsky.social just released our Public Power Handbook, with step-by-step guidance on how to municipalize (take over) a private electric utility: ilsr.org/articles/pub...
Calling all climate advocates and activists! If you’re fighting for clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate legislation in your community, you’re probably facing resistance from a monopoly utility company. 1/2
July 15, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Calling all climate advocates and activists! If you’re fighting for clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate legislation in your community, you’re probably facing resistance from a monopoly utility company. 1/2
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
A great time to re-up this article -- How to Break Up with Amazon: ilsr.org/articles/its... @ilsr.bsky.social @kennedysmith.bsky.social
July 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
A great time to re-up this article -- How to Break Up with Amazon: ilsr.org/articles/its... @ilsr.bsky.social @kennedysmith.bsky.social
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Don’t miss @ilsr.bsky.social's July 17 webinar featuring climate activist @billmckibben.bsky.social on how electric utilities are using their monopoly power to block climate progress — and how to fight back. ilsr.org/articles/how...
July 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Don’t miss @ilsr.bsky.social's July 17 webinar featuring climate activist @billmckibben.bsky.social on how electric utilities are using their monopoly power to block climate progress — and how to fight back. ilsr.org/articles/how...
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Trump's "MAGA antitrust" enforcers seem more interested in unserious culture war grievances than enforcing the law. But don't worry: The states - our original trustbusters - are fighting for workers, shoppers and small businesses. New from me in
@thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
@thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
As Federal Chaos Ensues, Trustbusters Rise in the States
With Trump’s antitrust appointees more concerned with scoring points in MAGA culture wars than restraining corporate abuses, officials in the states are keeping up the fight.
www.thenation.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Trump's "MAGA antitrust" enforcers seem more interested in unserious culture war grievances than enforcing the law. But don't worry: The states - our original trustbusters - are fighting for workers, shoppers and small businesses. New from me in
@thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
@thenation.com www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
A beautiful tribute to the late founder of @ilsr.bsky.social. He profoundly shaped how to think about the intersection of place, power, and policy. ilsr.org/articles/rem...
A Letter from ILSR’s Co-Directors: Remembering David Morris - Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Visited 105 times, 105 visit(s) today
ilsr.org
July 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
A beautiful tribute to the late founder of @ilsr.bsky.social. He profoundly shaped how to think about the intersection of place, power, and policy. ilsr.org/articles/rem...
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
The research team at @ilsr.bsky.social point out: “Even though Amazon claims that roughly 60 percent of its sales are made by small businesses that sell products on its marketplace platform, it competes against them and charges them such exorbitant fees that some of them actually go broke.“
It's Time to Break Up with Amazon. Here's How. - Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Shop Local, Amazon Alternatives
ilsr.org
July 3, 2025 at 1:24 AM
The research team at @ilsr.bsky.social point out: “Even though Amazon claims that roughly 60 percent of its sales are made by small businesses that sell products on its marketplace platform, it competes against them and charges them such exorbitant fees that some of them actually go broke.“
The social, environmental, and economic benefits of local composting can transform neighborhoods. That’s why we’re awarding $10,000 grants to up to 15 composting projects serving historically excluded communities in New England and NYC!
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
June 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The social, environmental, and economic benefits of local composting can transform neighborhoods. That’s why we’re awarding $10,000 grants to up to 15 composting projects serving historically excluded communities in New England and NYC!
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
Apply by July 25 ➡️ bit.ly/C4Cminigrants
By dismissing its price discrimination lawsuit against PepsiCo, the FTC has chosen to “abandon communities that depend on fair competition to maintain access to essential goods and services,” says @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social.
Read the full statement ⬇️
Read the full statement ⬇️
Stacy Mitchell Condemns FTC’s Dismissal of Case Against PepsiCo for Advantaging Walmart
The FTC has chosen to "abandon communities that depend on fair competition to maintain access to essential goods and services," says Stacy Mitchell.
ilsr.org
May 23, 2025 at 10:11 PM
By dismissing its price discrimination lawsuit against PepsiCo, the FTC has chosen to “abandon communities that depend on fair competition to maintain access to essential goods and services,” says @stacyfmitchell.bsky.social.
Read the full statement ⬇️
Read the full statement ⬇️
Happy International Compost Awareness Week! 🌱 We’re kicking things off with a reminder that composting is more than a trend — it’s a powerful tool for building climate resilience, healthy soils, and community power. 1/2
May 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Happy International Compost Awareness Week! 🌱 We’re kicking things off with a reminder that composting is more than a trend — it’s a powerful tool for building climate resilience, healthy soils, and community power. 1/2
@ronmknox.bsky.social’s new zine, out now from @microcosm.bsky.social, examines the growing movement to reject monopoly control and serves as a practical guide to help you — and your friends, neighbors, and coworkers — join the fight for a more democratic future. 1/2
May 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
@ronmknox.bsky.social’s new zine, out now from @microcosm.bsky.social, examines the growing movement to reject monopoly control and serves as a practical guide to help you — and your friends, neighbors, and coworkers — join the fight for a more democratic future. 1/2
Reposted by Institute for Local Self-Reliance
1. If you’re feeling despondent about the state of the world, you’re not alone. But there are folks out there taking the fight to corporate oligarchs and monopolies, and winning - thousands of Davids beating back our economic Goliaths. I wrote a little book about it. Let me show you!
May 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM
1. If you’re feeling despondent about the state of the world, you’re not alone. But there are folks out there taking the fight to corporate oligarchs and monopolies, and winning - thousands of Davids beating back our economic Goliaths. I wrote a little book about it. Let me show you!
📢 ILSR is hiring! 📢 We’re looking for an Operations Associate to help manage day-to-day organizational functions and support a productive, efficient work environment. This is a full-time, remote, union position with excellent benefits.
Apply now ⬇️
Apply now ⬇️
Careers at ILSR
Help reverse today’s extreme levels of corporate concentration and advance policies to rebuild the social and economic fabric of local communities.
ilsr.org
April 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
📢 ILSR is hiring! 📢 We’re looking for an Operations Associate to help manage day-to-day organizational functions and support a productive, efficient work environment. This is a full-time, remote, union position with excellent benefits.
Apply now ⬇️
Apply now ⬇️