Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen August 27, 2024

Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI), a nonprofit consortium of Energy Districts based in 13 counties in Iowa, is offering free energy coaching to assist farms and small businesses in applying for USDA grant funding for renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects through December 2025. The Winneshiek Energy District is a member of CEDI.

USDA’s Rural Energy in America Program (REAP) is accepting grant applications that, if approved, would fund 50% of the cost of renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects.

Eligible projects for REAP renewable energy system grants include: biomass, geothermal, small and large scale wind generation, and small and large scale solar generation. Eligible projects for REAP energy efficiency improvements include: high efficiency heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems, insulation, lighting, cooling or refrigeration units, doors and windows, and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Ineligible projects include: any residential use, tractors or implements, new construction, or upgrades to buildings which do not currently consume energy.

CEDI provides priority assistance to customers and communities that are traditionally underserved by the REAP program, including areas defined by USDA as disadvantaged communities and distressed communities. CEDI also offers priority assistance to applicants with small grants ($20,000 or less) or grants for underutilized technologies.

CEDI employs two Energy Coaches for the REAP program to serve the 13 counties with Energy Districts. Steve Hopkins provides assistance in the following counties: Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Dubuque, Howard, and Winneshiek. He may be reached at: steve.hopkins@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 641-831-3552.

Mark Patton provides assistance in the following counties: Delaware, Jackson, Johnson, Linn, Muscatine, Tama, and Polk. He may be reached at mark.patton@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 563-299-1839.

For more information or to apply for CEDI REAP coaching, please fill out the inquiry form at: www.cleanenergydistricts.org/reap. This is an Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.


Kristin Eggen first came to the Winneshiek Energy District as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member in 2015. Eight years later, she is thrilled to lead the grassroots clean energy movement in Winneshiek County. Kristin deeply appreciates rural communities, Northeast Iowa, community sustainability, and nonprofit management. She uses The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter methodology and graphic recording services to drive strategic conversations around community sustainability, justice, fundraising, and nonprofit health.

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