Policy Update

Policy Update

(or “How To Keep Your Energy And Dollars Local”) Andy Johnson, Director LOCAL: Decorah Power is working hard to answer questions, educate voters, and counter a great deal of myth and misinformation regarding the tremendous opportunity for a municipal electric utility. Learn more at their website, volunteer to help, and contribute through the website or their crowdfunding campaign. STATE: Two bills continue to make their way through the legislature. SF2311 is an omnibus

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Putting a value on Energy Upgrades and Weighing the Cost of Delay

Putting a value on Energy Upgrades and Weighing the Cost of Delay

Joel Zook, Energy Planner If you are considering an energy upgrade for your business – like installing solar panels or upgrading a furnace –  it’s safe to assume you are weighing both lowered energy bills and the upfront cost of the improvement. Many people consider the value of an upgrade in terms of “payback period” – how long the savings will take to pay off the initial investment. Lighting upgrades

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AmeriCorps Week 2018

AmeriCorps Week 2018

Ashley Lookenhouse, Green Iowa Education Coordinator 2017-18 The week of March 11th to 17th is AmeriCorps Week. Launched in May 2007, AmeriCorps week is dedicated to giving recognition to the nearly 80,000 members that complete yearly National Service terms. There are many different positions that AmeriCorps members serve in from working in school systems to working in National Parks and everything in between. One way that AmeriCorps members serve communities

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Energy Efficiency Benefits All Iowans

Iowa has a proud tradition as a national leader in energy efficiency. We’re a thrifty people with a can-do spirit, and we understand the reality and impact of “a penny saved is a penny earned”. With energy efficiency, millions saved do represent millions in the pockets of Iowa citizens and communities. Given our proud tradition and decades of success, you might say that energy efficiency is as “Iowan” as motherhood

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Decorah Public Library Fundraises for LED Lights

Decorah Public Library Fundraises for LED Lights

2017 is a bright year at the Decorah Public Library. The city-owned building on the corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street plans to complete an LED lighting retrofit this year that will increase light quality for library patrons and save the library money on electricity and maintenance. The library is asking for donations to help fund the remaining cost of the project. Approximately two-thirds of the $15,500 project is

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Upcoming April Energy Breakfast

Upcoming April Energy Breakfast

Winneshiek County Conservation’s Lilly Jensen and Luther College professor Dawn Reding will discuss energy production’s effect on wildlife at the upcoming Winneshiek Energy District’s April Energy Breakfast. Presenters will look at the often overlooked circumstance of wildlife interaction with renewable and nonrenewable energy production. The program starts at 7:30 AM on April 19th at T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill. Jensen will provide an overview of ways that certain wildlife lives alongside

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Decorah Library Fundraises for LED Lights

2017 is a bright year at the Decorah Public Library. The city-owned building on the corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street plans to complete an LED lighting retrofit this year that will increase light quality for library patrons and save the library money on electricity and maintenance. The library is asking for donations to help fund the remaining cost of the project. Approximately two-thirds of the $15,500 project is

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Clayton County’s LED Workshop

Home, farm and business owners gathered at Elkader’s Keystone Area Education Center on Saturday, March 18th for the Clayton County Energy District’s LED Lighting Workshop. Local vendors and contractors greeted attendees who gripped cookies and complementary coffee after during the 9:00am registration hour.  Attendees soon migrated to the main presentation room where Clayton County Energy District’s board president Harry Blobaum welcomed the group. Winneshiek Energy District Energy Planner Joel Zook started

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The Green Iowa AmeriCorps Home Efficiency Program Wants YOU!

  Have a drafty house? Interested in a free blower door test, and direct installation of money-saving LED lighting and water measures? Our Green Iowa AmeriCorps team is taking signups for ALL area households interested in their services. Fill out our form and a team member will be in touch to schedule your energy assessment.

Howard County Energy District Hosts Solar Tour

Cresco, IA – On a grey morning in Howard County renewable energy advocates from Howard County’s newly formed Energy District illuminated the economic and environmental benefits of Iowa solar tax credits on their March 24th Solar Tour.   The group of community leaders and state representative Jane Bloomingdale visited numerous solar sites around Cresco, Iowa. KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports