Cleveland City Council started the ball rolling on the local market for alternative energy at a hearing last November that considered using Cleveland Public Power (CPP) as the conduit. The follow-up happens this Wednesday, as CPP and city council host a public workshop to gather ideas on how producers of renewable energy—like a homeowner with a solar panel or a business with a wind turbine—would connect to the grid.

Working out these ‘interconnection’ rules is an important step in leveling the playing field for alternative energy because it encourages investment. In order to take the next step, CPP needs to embrace change, comments Cleveland Foundation energy czar Richard Stuebi, and become “a world-class urban clean energy services company.” Read more.