In Gratitude this Winter Solstice

It’s during the darkest days of the year I find myself most grateful for modern energy systems.  Can you relate?  When temperatures plummet and daylight is scarce That’s when the brilliance of electricity or warmth of a functioning furnace is a Big Deal. On a frigid night, it can almost feel magical.  But it’s not magical. A lot goes on behind the scenes in the mostly-invisible world of energy.  We

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Hometown Taxi Purchases First Electric Vehicle

Hometown Taxi Purchases First Electric Vehicle

Hometown Taxi, a small community-minded taxi company based in Decorah, recently added its first electric vehicle to its fleet. Known for providing rides in and around Decorah and regional trips to places like Iowa City, Rochester, Des Moines and Madison, the company has long relied on its fleet of five Toyota Priuses and a hybrid Toyota Sienna to meet the needs of its customers. After years of considering a move

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Key Initiates in 2025

Key Initiates in 2025

What is Winneshiek County’s locally-led energy district focusing on in the year ahead? Key initiatives in 2025 include: Providing one-on-one energy coaching so all Winneshiek County residents can identify their next clean energy upgrade Taking a community-centric approach to eliminating energy burden Supporting locally owned energy by educating and advocating for a Decorah municipal electric utility Amplifying Clean Energy stories through events, communications, and celebrations Initiating a new strategic plan

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Notes from the 2024 Clean Energy Forum for Local Leaders

Notes from the 2024 Clean Energy Forum for Local Leaders

On November 19th the Winneshiek Energy District, in partnership with the Clayton and Allamakee Energy Districts, hosted a Clean Energy Forum in Postville for local leadership in the three counties. County officials, city council members, economic development groups, community foundations, business owners, and elected representatives were invited. This regional forum was designed to bring a diverse group of leadership together to explore clean energy efforts in surrounding counties and discuss

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Middle Schoolers are schooling adults when it comes to climate advocacy

Middle Schoolers are schooling adults when it comes to climate advocacy

On Friday, October 25, ten students from the Decorah Middle School’s Climate Change Action Group (CCAG) did a presentation to a small group at the Winneshiek Energy District office. The topic? Their vision for a new elementary school. Their purpose? To encourage attending adults to vote in favor of a new, energy efficient, renewable energy powered building that is designed for the students – and climate – of the future.

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Free Energy Coaching Available for Farms and Small Businesses

Free Energy Coaching Available for Farms and Small Businesses

Assistance to farms and small businesses to apply for 50% renewable energy and energy efficiency grants offered through Clean Energy Districts of Iowa Energy Coaching program Press release by Clean Energy Districts of Iowa 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

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Reduce Emissions with Local Carbon Offsets

Have you been feeling down about your carbon footprint? Maybe you’ve already made an effort to reduce your carbon footprint through energy efficiency, worked to electrify your home and transportation or added renewables? Or maybe you’re a renter who doesn’t have a choice in the matter? For those looking to “close the gap” between their net-zero goals and reality, consider purchasing Oneota Tag Carbon Offsets, the first entirely local carbon offset

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Plug-in Hybrid Owner Story: Phil Iversen’s 2014 Honda Accord

Plug-in Hybrid Owner Story: Phil Iversen’s 2014 Honda Accord

This spring and summer we bring you “Electric Vehicle Owner Stories,” a series of interviews with northeast Iowa EV owners. This Electric Vehicle Owner Story features a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Name:  Philip Iversen Vehicle (Model and Year): 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid All Electric Range:  The all-electric range was 13-14 miles when purchased in 2019.  Now it’s 8-9 miles. Purchased on:  July 25, 2019 How many miles do you

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Plug-in Hybrid Owner Story: Phil Iversen’s RAV4 Prime

Plug-in Hybrid Owner Story: Phil Iversen’s RAV4 Prime

This spring and summer we bring you “Electric Vehicle Owner Stories,” a series of interviews with northeast Iowa EV owners. This Electric Vehicle Owner Story features a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a car that uses both gasoline and electricity as fuel. PHEVs have a battery, an electric motor, an internal combustion engine (ICE), and a gasoline tank.They can run on electric power

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