Decorah Power and Municipal Electric Utility Update

Joel Zook, Energy Planner The final, agonizingly close vote is in. Of the 2767 votes cast, there were 1382 yes votes and 1385 no votes. The three-vote margin is just one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the votes cast. It was an engaged electorate with voter participation over 50 percent. Decorah voters decided not to authorize the city to further explore the possibility of forming a municipal electric utility. As

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Now is the Time to (re)Consider Solar

Now is the Time to (re)Consider Solar

Joel Zook, Energy Planner I am taking another hard look at solar panels for my home. My roof is not an ideal site for solar; It faces west and is heavily shaded through most of the morning. I ran the numbers shortly after buying my house and the payback was longer than I was willing to commit to. However, it’s been a few years and prices continue to fall. Additionally,

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Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)al

Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)al

Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist Electric vehicles (EVs) have long been of interest to those seeking to decrease fossil fuel dependency and generate power in their communities through renewable energy.  As the EV market grows in response to high fuel costs and clean transportation needs, we are excited about the clean, efficient transportation that EVs can and will offer. From 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on June 2nd at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds

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Energy Efficiency: Act Now or Lose $$$

Andy Johnson, Executive Director Have energy efficiency projects been on your should-do list for a long time, but not quite made the HONEY-DO list? Consider acting now to take full advantage of financial incentives, because many of those incentives will not be available come January 1, 2018. How do we know this? The utility lobby – especially Alliant and MidAmerican – designed, fought for and won passage of a “Christmas

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Learning Sustainable Neighborhood Design from Prairie Hill

Decorah  – On Tuesday morning in T-Bock’s lower level, 30 people gathered as part of the Winneshiek Energy District’s Energy Breakfast series to learn about “cohousing”, a Danish intentional living community, from longtime Decorah resident Craig Mosher. Mosher recently moved from Decorah to Iowa City where he became a founding member of Prairie Hill Cohousing, a new eight-acre development that uses intentional design to support members’ shared values of having:

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Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)al to be Held at Fairgrounds

Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)al to be Held at Fairgrounds

DECORAH – The Winneshiek Energy District, KAR Auto Group, Decorah Bank and Trust, and 100.5 KDEC have joined forces to bring northeast Iowa’s premier electric vehicle festival to the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds on June 2 from 11 AM to 3 PM. Fest(EV)al will offer relevant workshops, informative displays, refreshments, and an attractive lineup of electric vehicles to view for anyone interested in or curious about electric vehicles. The Danan Lansing

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SPRING CLEANING: Small measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency

SPRING CLEANING: Small measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency

Emily Osborne, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Audit Coordinator Got a bored teenager and want to lower your energy bills? If so, here is a quick list of opportunities to kill two birds with one stone!  Make natural cleaners. As our nation transitions to a chemical-free food system, why not apply the same mentality towards our cleaning supplies? Creating your personal cleaner reduces your home’s exposure to unknown chemicals, helps the environment,

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Farm Energy Expert Shares Ideas on Efficiency, Renewables

Earlier month WED Energy Planner Joel Zook met up with journalist Pam Reinig of the Clayton County Register to talk about farm energy: PR: How many farm energy plans have you conducted? JZ: I’ve done about 20 Farm Energy Plans myself, start to finish. But the energy District has helped over 60 farmers complete Farm Energy Plans. I came on midway through the Energy District’s farm program and have helped

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Fest(EV)al: Northeast Iowa’s First Electric Vehicle Fair and Expo

Mark your calendar: June 2, 2018 | 11 AM – 3 PM Danan Lansing Building, Winneshiek County Fairgrounds Join Winneshiek Energy District, area dealerships, and local partners for an electric vehicle car show with a variety of makes and models to view, workshops, activities, and more! What are electric vehicles all about? What makes and models are available in the region? How far can you get with one? How much do they

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A tale of Sherlock “Homes”

A tale of Sherlock “Homes”

Emily Osborne, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Audit Coordinator (2017-18) “There is nothing like first-hand evidence.” -Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet Picture this scene: There you are nestled in your living room, ready for a well-deserved night off with a mug of fresh pressed apple cider and a classic “rom-com” on the screen. As you finally decompress from a taxing week, you are abruptly interrupted by a large draft coming from

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