Post Author's Photographer By Andy Johnson March 5, 2021

Iowa Farmer And Banker Agree On Solar Tax Credits; Cedar Rapids Gazette Op-ed

Written by Andy Johnson, Executive Director and Larry Grimstad, Board Member

What do this farmer and banker have in common, besides a love for our rural Iowa community and county?

Locally owned solar power.

It brings jobs, wealth, light and a healthier home place everywhere it goes. Solar is happening right here in our home county of Winneshiek: farms, businesses, households and institutions are literally owning the future, one panel at a time (we’re probably over 25,000).

Read the full article in The Gazette

Solar Plus Electric Vehicle Charging Under Threat

Should businesses, nonprofits, and public entities be able to both own solar and to offer electric vehicle (EV) charging to their employees or the public? Of course they should, says your energy districtin recent commentsto the Iowa Utilities Board indocket RMU-2020-2020. Absolutely not say the utilities, especially Alliant and MidAmerican, in their comments.

The Board already decided this issue once in favor of customer flexibility, as described in theirorder commencing the current rulemaking docket, but is revisiting the issue after objection from the Iowa Administrative Rules Review Committee. Electric vehicles clearly represent tremendous demand growth for utilities, and WED has partnered with them on many occasions to promote the local EV market transformation. So it is sad to see the level of monopolistic greed apparent in this attempt to shut customers and communities out of the investment and prosperity opportunity represented by the combination of locally owned solar and electric vehicle charging. We hope the Board will stick to its principles and re-affirm the original rule.

Read WED’srecent comments

Clayton County Energy District Brings EV Chargers to Five Communities

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be installed in public spaces in five Clayton County communities this spring through an effort spearheaded by the Clayton County Energy District (CCED). The project aims to reverse the county’s identity as a charging station desert, attracting tourists with electric vehicles to local destinations.

Read more

A middle-aged man with glasses and a graying beard smiles while looking to the side, standing in front of a wooden background.

Andy Johnson

Director of Winneshiek Energy District

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