John Farrell
@johnffarrell.bsky.social
Distributed energy nerd | Anti-monopoly policy guy @ ILSR | Making clean power local + fair | 📍Minnesota dad energy 🔌💡
Pinned
For my #EnergySky followers, I will resume my normal posting when my government resumes normal and legal immigration enforcement activities.
Ann Arbor, Mich., is the latest in a long line of cities to look at public ownership to solve an affordability crisis under for-profit utilities. h/t Kyle Davidson
vist.ly/4r44a
vist.ly/4r44a
Ann Arbor group to begin collecting signatures in effort to establish city-owned electric utility • Michigan Advance
An organization made up of Ann Arbor residents pushing for a publicly owned, 100% renewable energy utility on Friday announced the launch of a ballot effort that, if approved, would put the city on track to developing its own energy service. In a press release, Ann Arbor Public Power said it would kick off its […]
michiganadvance.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Ann Arbor, Mich., is the latest in a long line of cities to look at public ownership to solve an affordability crisis under for-profit utilities. h/t Kyle Davidson
vist.ly/4r44a
vist.ly/4r44a
More than 50 percent of California's electric customers get their electricity supply from a community-based entity created to replace the for-profit utilities. 💰 from for-profit utilities talks, I guess. vist.ly/4r3h3
Newsom ‘Not Convinced’ California Wants to Take Over PG&E
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he doesn’t see the state having the appetite to take over PG&E Corp., which has come under criticism recently for blackouts that hit San Francisco.
www.bloomberg.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
More than 50 percent of California's electric customers get their electricity supply from a community-based entity created to replace the for-profit utilities. 💰 from for-profit utilities talks, I guess. vist.ly/4r3h3
But at least if you hold your breath, you'll inhale fewer carcinogenic particles from that "must run" coal plant! 😃
February 10, 2026 at 2:28 AM
But at least if you hold your breath, you'll inhale fewer carcinogenic particles from that "must run" coal plant! 😃
Is it Drawdown Week for the Trump administration? This lie is as much a meme as Infrastructure Week during Trump I
In one 30-minute stretch, three legal observers were arrested — as Trump’s Border czar Tom Homan calls on locals to “end the resistance.”
“Uptick In Abductions”: ICE Ramps Up Targeting of Minneapolis Legal Observers
In one 30-minute stretch, three Minneapolis legal observers were arrested as ICE ramped up its targeting of community volunteers.
interc.pt
February 9, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Is it Drawdown Week for the Trump administration? This lie is as much a meme as Infrastructure Week during Trump I
Reposted by John Farrell
This is Minneapolis:
February 9, 2026 at 3:10 PM
This is Minneapolis:
Indiana lawmakers look to break costly #monopoly utility focus on capital investment by shifting incentives toward useful outcomes: vist.ly/4qx3b h/t Sophie Hartley via @indystar
Indiana lawmakers want to rein in electricity costs. Here's how they plan to do it
Indiana lawmakers crafted a giant bill to address rising electricity rates across the state. Their plans are ambitious, but bipartisan support is pushing the bill through.
www.indystar.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Indiana lawmakers look to break costly #monopoly utility focus on capital investment by shifting incentives toward useful outcomes: vist.ly/4qx3b h/t Sophie Hartley via @indystar
Yet another state to see action on restricting corrupt campaign contributions by #monopoly regulated energy utilities. vist.ly/4qvyg h/t Kyle Davidson
Affordability concerns could earn two petitions a spot on Michigan’s 2026 ballot • Michigan Advance
While licking their wounds after Republicans’ decisive victory in 2024, Democrats have vowed to double down on one particular issue in the next election cycle: affordability. Heading into 2026, the cost of groceries, electric bills, mortgage payments and health care remain top of mind for many. While President Donald Trump maintains his administration is delivering […]
michiganadvance.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Yet another state to see action on restricting corrupt campaign contributions by #monopoly regulated energy utilities. vist.ly/4qvyg h/t Kyle Davidson
The only problem with throwing these dildos is that they are much too large for ICE's small dick energy.
At Whipple where expired dicks are being thrown at ICE vehicles and those believed to be agitators. The area has been a place of protest since thousands of federal agents arrived in the city.
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
February 8, 2026 at 1:43 AM
The only problem with throwing these dildos is that they are much too large for ICE's small dick energy.
Whoever came up with this protest idea should be sainted. #Minneapolis #ICEout
At Whipple where expired dicks are being thrown at ICE vehicles and those believed to be agitators. The area has been a place of protest since thousands of federal agents arrived in the city.
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
Near Minneapolis February 7, 2026
February 8, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Whoever came up with this protest idea should be sainted. #Minneapolis #ICEout
I see another Susan Collins in the making!
paragraph 48: "In Mr. Trump’s second term, Ms. Britt has voted in line with the president 100 percent of the time."
February 5, 2026 at 10:35 PM
I see another Susan Collins in the making!
I confess to having occasionally visited the nearby gas station to wipe clean my windshield, however...
February 5, 2026 at 10:33 PM
I confess to having occasionally visited the nearby gas station to wipe clean my windshield, however...
Democrats have 45 Senate seats. 45 people that have yet to simply say "I object" to slam the brakes on fascism.
You know I constantly say dems need to deny unanimous consent ?
This is EXACTLY what Republicans did here. Schumer asked for unanimous consent to bring this up. 1 republican said nah.
Done. UC denied. Article out immediately about "Republicans blocking"
This is EXACTLY what Republicans did here. Schumer asked for unanimous consent to bring this up. 1 republican said nah.
Done. UC denied. Article out immediately about "Republicans blocking"
US Senate Republicans block attempt to sue Trump administration over Epstein files minnesotareformer.com/2026/02/05/r...
February 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Democrats have 45 Senate seats. 45 people that have yet to simply say "I object" to slam the brakes on fascism.
This advice might not align with your use, but I've often suggested for folks that don't road trip a lot to just rent a car for the road trips and have the EV for local/regional driving.
February 5, 2026 at 10:06 PM
This advice might not align with your use, but I've often suggested for folks that don't road trip a lot to just rent a car for the road trips and have the EV for local/regional driving.
Best news I've heard since Alex Pretti was murdered while pinned to the ground by DHS employees 3 miles from my house.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if they do not work with Republicans and the White House.
Homeland Security shutdown grows more likely as Republicans rebuff Democratic demands for ICE
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic” and warned that the Department of Homeland Secu…
trib.al
February 5, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Best news I've heard since Alex Pretti was murdered while pinned to the ground by DHS employees 3 miles from my house.
This is a beautiful and relevant discussion of the plans by ICE to warehouse fellow humans in a variety of large facilities across our country.
February 5, 2026 at 10:02 PM
This is a beautiful and relevant discussion of the plans by ICE to warehouse fellow humans in a variety of large facilities across our country.
In the last 8 years, I've NOT purchased 2,500 gallons of gasoline by driving electric, effectively paying for two-thirds of the cost of the car I've been driving.
When will the last gas station close in your city? Sooner than you may think.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
insideclimatenews.org/news/0502202...
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:57 PM
In the last 8 years, I've NOT purchased 2,500 gallons of gasoline by driving electric, effectively paying for two-thirds of the cost of the car I've been driving.
And I've worked as an election judge in Minnesota, so I know that if you can verify a voter's eligibility beforehand, the ID at the polls is just duplicative.
February 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM
And I've worked as an election judge in Minnesota, so I know that if you can verify a voter's eligibility beforehand, the ID at the polls is just duplicative.
Curious about this: what if we moved to automatic voter registration but required ID to vote. Net positive or negative? IF you generally need ID to register, it seems like this potentially gets more people voting.
February 5, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Curious about this: what if we moved to automatic voter registration but required ID to vote. Net positive or negative? IF you generally need ID to register, it seems like this potentially gets more people voting.
"Drawdown" is a bullshit talking point. The violence being done to Minnesota is real.
My friend lives in this building and said it was truly terrifying. The whole building woke up to their building being broken into by federal agents all to grab some guy who’s posted about being anti facist.
After 6am this morning in Whittier, Minneapolis—FOUR BLOCKS from where Pretti was murdered.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
18 agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) markings smashed an apartment window, ran in, and came out with one man.
February 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
"Drawdown" is a bullshit talking point. The violence being done to Minnesota is real.
I teach my children that they're entitled to their feelings but responsible for their actions. It's ridiculous to see a federal official imply that his employees are less competent than children because they can't manage their feelings.
Homan: "I said back in March of this year [sic] that if the hateful rhetoric didn't stop I was afraid there would be bloodshed. And there has been."
February 4, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I teach my children that they're entitled to their feelings but responsible for their actions. It's ridiculous to see a federal official imply that his employees are less competent than children because they can't manage their feelings.
This is why we need a new, nonprofit or cooperative model for news. We can't base our sources of information on the goodwill of billionaires (or sadly, on our own government).
According to recent estimates, Jeff Bezos makes about $8m an HOUR
In ONE SLEEP he probably makes enough to cover the Washington Post's annual losses
In ONE SLEEP he probably makes enough to cover the Washington Post's annual losses
February 4, 2026 at 4:32 PM
This is why we need a new, nonprofit or cooperative model for news. We can't base our sources of information on the goodwill of billionaires (or sadly, on our own government).
I feel like this is illustration #1,048,576 of the Trump administration's guiding philosophy: "why tell the truth when lying feels so good?"
Remember that midnight raid in Chicago supposedly to arrest Tren del Aragua members? Newly revealed court docs show that the raid was facilitated by the building owners who are now accused of using the raid to evict tenants. DHS never mentions TDA in their filings: www.propublica.org/article/chic...
The Real Story Behind the Midnight Immigration Raid on a Chicago Apartment Building
The Trump administration has claimed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the building. But new documents make no mention of the gang and reveal federal agents had information about “ille...
www.propublica.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I feel like this is illustration #1,048,576 of the Trump administration's guiding philosophy: "why tell the truth when lying feels so good?"
How public power could answer the affordability crisis when utility regulators don't: vist.ly/4qc38
Power Bills Are Bankrupting DC Residents—but There's a Path to Affordability for All | Common Dreams
Affordability remains a top issue in 2026, with power bills contributing to the cost-of-living crisis. Public ownership of power can provide a solution.
www.commondreams.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:27 PM
How public power could answer the affordability crisis when utility regulators don't: vist.ly/4qc38
I think about this often every time we have a debate about net metering.
1. A reminder: Walmart's $1 trillion valuation is the product of decades of unchecked anticompetitive behavior. It's no coincidence that Walmart began its insane growth spurt after the 1980s decision to stop enforcing key antitrust laws. More than others, Walmart recognized what this meant.
Walmart’s Monopolization of Local Grocery Markets | Independent Business
In 203 markets, Walmart controls 50% or more of the grocery market. No other corporation has ever amassed this much control over the food system.
ilsr.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:47 PM
I think about this often every time we have a debate about net metering.
Small, local businesses stand up for their communities in a way that big corporate chains will never do. If you need a tool, shop at Ace, not Home Depot.
I continue to love my local ACE.
February 4, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Small, local businesses stand up for their communities in a way that big corporate chains will never do. If you need a tool, shop at Ace, not Home Depot.