#municipalization

Social ecology says the way humans dominate nature is connected to the way humans dominate each other. If society is built on hierarchy, exploitation, patriarchy, racism, colonialism, and capitalism, it will also treat the earth as something to conquer.

Libertarian municipalism means bringing politics back to the places people actually live. Instead of letting distant officials decide everything, people gather locally, deliberate, vote, organize, and confederate with other communities. Bookchin describes the goal as reopening a public sphere against statism, creating democratic institutions that can give power to people, and grounding politics in the municipality and neighborhood.

Radical democracy means people directly participate in the decisions that shape their lives. Not just elections. Not just representatives. Real assemblies, real debate, real local power, real accountability.

Confederalism means communities cooperate across regions while keeping power close to the people. Local assemblies can send delegates, coordinate resources, defend shared interests, and solve larger problems without becoming a centralized authority above everyone.

Democratic confederalism is a way for communities, cultures, peoples, and local institutions to govern themselves through direct democracy and cooperation instead of centralized nation-state power.

Xcel Energy is a large utility holding company that dominates the energy market in Boulder, CO.  While it is one of the larger producers of renewable energy in the US, citizens of Boulder, CO did not feel they were progressing quickly enough.  In 2011, after several attempt to convince Xcel to convert to more renewable energy alternatives, the city began considering the option of municipalization, which is the opposite of privatization; the city would take control of the energy supply from the corporation and charge its citizens directly.  The proposal was put on the  2011 Boulder ballot and, while Xcel outspent grassroots group $10-to-$1 in campaigning against the measure, voters approved an exploration of the concept.

In the resulting studies, it was determined that Boulder could increase its renewable energy margin to 40% and reduce its carbon footprint by up to 60%. Two years later, Boulder was ready to move forward with their plan to municipalize the city's energy, but Xcel chose to push a bill on the 2013 election ballot that would have covertly ended the local energy utility process.  Again completely overpowered monetarily by the huge corporation, committed community activists and New Era Colorado, which engages young people in the politic process, raised awareness and the measure failed at the polls.

Following this success, the city sent a letter of intent to the CEO of Xcel Energy, outlining the assets the city wants to acquire, their willingness to pay for the appraisal of those assets, and requesting that Xcel designate a representative to participate in negotiations; all steps required by law to begin the process of municipalization.  Xcel has since sued the city council, claiming the city has overstepped its authority.  

Here is a link that addresses many concerns people might have about the concept of municipalization: http://www.renewablesyes.org/?page_id=2401

One of the main criticisms is that the city has spent a lot of money on studies and campaigns and no money towards creating renewable energy.  Opponents questions whether the city council has truly considered all the responsibilities, administratively and monetarily, that will be involved in managing the city's energy.