Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen December 5, 2024

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 how Energy Districts and their partners can work together to strengthen rural communities.Without the resources and population levels of larger cities, rural counties rely on local leadership to guide their path forward. The Winneshiek Energy District (WED) maintains partnerships with community leaders to advocate, educate, and implement a clean energy transition to reduce the percentage of income spent on energy. Beyond internal outreach efforts, WED relies on these partnerships to promote the Energy District as a community resource for inclusive energy burden reduction. Local leadership can assist WED in ensuring everyone in Northeast Iowa has full knowledge of the opportunities they have right now to access clean energy technology. Additionally, they can rely on the Energy District to provide program benefits, community education/outreach, and local advocacy.

Following the presentation at the Forum, the Energy Districts answered group questions regarding the scope of their work and previous partnerships. Attendees also participated in group discussions to explore questions of clean energy impacts and community needs across counties. These questions generated interesting discussion, especially from the elected representatives in attendance including State Senator Mike Klimesh and Georgie Hilby, an aide from the U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson’s office. Senator Klimesh posed an interesting question about establishing baseline clean energy zoning policy at the state level.

Local Leader Forum Presentation Slides

Person with short hair and glasses smiles in front of a sign that reads “INNESHEK ENERGY PROJECT” with a building silhouette and sunburst in the background.

Kristin Eggen

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.

Energy District Movement Energy Policy Event Recap

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