Localyst

25/11/2025

Renewable energy brings both opportunities and questions for rural landowners.

REFA (Renewable Energy Farmers of America) connects landowners nationwide to share experiences, compare notes, and get practical guidance on leases, finances, and land impacts.

If you’re exploring whether a project is right for your operation, REFA offers straightforward information without the sales pitch.

👉 Use code LOCALYST for 20% off your membership.

Explore membership: https://renewableenergyfarmers.org/membership/

11/11/2025

When the U.S. military sends people like me into these environments, we don’t rely on fragile energy systems.” — Melissa Cordero, Air Force veteran.
The military depends on solar and storage to power missions safely and reliably. Imagine what that kind of resilience could do for your community.
Read more:

and Why It Matters to Communities Like Yours By Dana Schultz Solar isn’t just about powering rooftops — it’s about powering missions.Across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), clean energy is no longer optional. It’s a lifeline. From remote forward operating bases to major domestic install...

15/10/2025

Two winters ago, I got a pair of snowshoes for Christmas — lightweight, solid, perfect for quiet mornings in the woods near Milwaukee.
The problem? I still haven’t been able to use them.

As we enjoy the fall and prepare for winter, I must ask: Will we get enough snow this year?

Across the Upper Midwest, winters are weakening. Snow is thinner, ice is brittle, and cold doesn’t last. This isn’t just about recreation — it’s reshaping small-town economies, ecosystems, and the culture that defines what it means to live here.

From canceled ski races to struggling local lodges, the effects of warmer air and our growing pollution blanket are changing daily life in Wisconsin and beyond. However, we can remove pollution from the air — and restore balance — if we act now.

https://localystmedia.org/will-we-get-enough-snow-this-year/

26/08/2025

⚡️ Why are your electricity bills going up — and why aren’t they coming down anytime soon?

From AI data centers to political fights over renewables, the forces driving higher prices are stacking up. Grid upgrades, extreme heat, and natural gas spikes are making things even worse.

We break down the top reasons behind rising power bills — and what could finally bring relief.

👉 Read the full story: https://localystmedia.org/4-reasons-why-electricity-bills-are-climbing/

07/08/2025

🔥 It’s 110°F outside… but many Arizonans can’t afford to turn on the AC.

This summer’s extreme heat isn’t just breaking temperature records—it’s breaking household budgets. Families are facing $400–$700 electric bills, and some are having to choose between staying cool and buying groceries.

When cooling becomes a luxury, it’s a public health crisis. And it’s one we can solve—with smarter policies, stronger safety nets, and a massive push for local solar energy + battery storage to bring down costs and keep the lights (and AC) on.

Read our latest story on what’s happening, why it’s structural, and the solutions communities are fighting for:
👉 https://localystmedia.org/when-ac-becomes-a-luxury-extreme-heat-is-breaking-families/

💬 Have you or someone you know struggled to afford cooling this summer? Share your experience in the comments—your story matters.

17/07/2025

Ever heard of solar grazing? 🐑☀️
Instead of mowing grass under solar panels, some farms are letting sheep do the work—turning solar fields into working pastures.

This clip from "Pastures and Panels" (via the American Solar Grazing Association) shows how farmers are finding new ways to stay on the land, even when owning acres isn’t an option.
Watch how clean energy and agriculture are teaming up in a way that just makes sense.

16/07/2025

Ever heard of solar grazing? 🐑☀️

Instead of mowing grass under solar panels, some farms are letting sheep do the work—turning solar fields into working pastures.

This clip from "Pastures and Panels" (via the American Solar Grazing Association) shows how farmers are finding new ways to stay on the land, even when owning acres isn’t an option.

Watch how clean energy and agriculture are teaming up in a way that just makes sense.

14/07/2025

Babcock Ranch, Florida is a master-planned community, that sheltered more than 2,000 evacuees during Hurricane Milton without losing power. Built to withstand 150 mph winds and powered by a 150 MW solar farm, it’s showing what resilience can look like.

Read how this town became a safe haven — and what it could mean for other communities across the country.

https://localystmedia.org/florida-town-shows-whats-possible-when-you-plan-for-resilience-and-solar-power/

23/06/2025

Windmills and soybeans?
See how one Wisconsin farm family is blending clean energy with a century of tradition—without skipping a beat.
“We wear a lot of hats as farmers—renewables are one more tool in the belt.”
From soybeans to silage, hear why this farmer says wind power is helping smooth out the ups and downs of the ag economy—without disrupting their land, livestock, or livelihood.
“It’s a 20+ year contract that helps even out the tough years.”
Watch now to see what renewable energy actually looks like in the field.
Have wind turbines popped up near you? Drop a comment—what do you think about them in farm country?

18/06/2025

Rural electric co-ops still rely on fossil fuels far more than the rest of the country—but change is coming from an unexpected place.

Stanford graduate students teamed up with rural nonprofits to help communities transition to cleaner energy. Their approach? Focus on public health, not politics.

Read how local groups in Missouri and Wisconsin are using student research to push for energy that’s better for both health and pocketbooks. ➡️ https://localystmedia.org/stanford-students-team-up-with-rural-co%e2%80%91ops-to-trade-coal-for-clean-energy/

06/06/2025

A growing number of Americans are saving money on their electricity bills through community solar — no rooftop panels required. Whether you rent, live in an older home, or just want a no-hassle way to lower your energy costs, this locally powered solution could be the answer.

Learn how it works, who it helps, and why rural communities are joining in.👇

Read the full story:
https://localystmedia.org/how-community-solar-is-giving-everyone-a-way-in/

16/05/2025

What if your home could help power your whole neighborhood — and get you paid for it? 💡🏡

Folks like Tom Cook in the Hill Country are doing just that with solar panels and backup batteries, thanks to a new co-op program that’s turning regular homes into mini power plants.

This isn’t some big-city experiment. It’s Texans helping Texans — saving money, staying safe during outages, and keeping the grid strong.

👉 Read how it works: https://localystmedia.org/neighbors-powering-texas-how-homegrown-energy-is-keeping-the-lights-on/