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Electric Trucks "? 2022 Update

November 26, 2021

Joel Zook, Energy Planner 2022 started off with an announcement from Ford that it will double production of its Ford Lightning to 150,000 vehicles per year. Ford revealed the Ford F150 Lightning in May of …


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Clean Energy Districts of Iowa Joins Settlement Agreement in Black Hills Energy Rate Case

November 26, 2021

Jim Martin-Schramm, Clean Energy Districts of Iowa The Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI) has agreed to join a settlement agreement regarding a proposal by Black Hills Energy (BHE) to increase natural gas base rates. …


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November Energy Lunch: Community Foundations + Energy Districts

November 26, 2021

Max Walker, Green Iowa AmericorpsFor the November installment of our Energy Lunch, the Winneshiek Energy District hosted MJ Smith, who presented on the mission of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to strengthen small Iowa …


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Energy Saving Steps Can Reduce Winter Heating Costs

November 26, 2021

This story ran in the October 20, 2021 edition of the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, and is reprinted with permission. With heating bills expected to rise this winter, there are a number of ways that …


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Action Alert: Iowa Homeowners Set To Lose Millions In Promised Solar Tax Credits

October 28, 2021

Andy Johnson, Executive DirectorFor years, Iowa homeowners have been told the state’s solar tax credit is available for solar systems installed through 2021. Now it appears the State of Iowa is about to break that …


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Here Comes the Sun: Solar Friendly Ordinances

October 27, 2021

by Joel Zook, WED Energy Planner Joel Zook recently participated in Here Comes the Sun: Solar Friendly Ordinances for communities, a webinar to help communities think through how to best zone for solar. As more …


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WED Wraps Up West Union Geothermal Project

October 27, 2021

WED Energy Planner Joel Zook has been working with the City of West Union for the past 18 months, helping to increase participation in their city-owned district geothermal system. The projects is wrapping up and …


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A Successful FestEVal!

October 6, 2021

Heidi Eger, CommunicationsOn August 28th, we wrapped up our 7 week Electric Vehicle showcase at the Decorah Farmers Market. Over the course of 2 months, we talked to hundreds of market goers about fully Electric …


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It Is Unequivocal That Human Influence Has Warmed The Atmosphere, Ocean and Land

October 6, 2021

Andy Johnson, Executive DirectorSo reads the first Headline Statement from the most recent, definitive, and ominous IPCC report,Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.More: “Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes …


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IUB Clarifies Support For Utility Scale Renewable Energy

October 6, 2021

Andy Johnson, Executive DirectorIn July of this year, the Iowa Utilities Boardopened a docketto investigate the development of a comprehensive plan for Iowa’s future transmission grid. In our August newsletter (and incommentssubmitted by the Clean …


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A Close Look at the Clean Energy Legislation Offered by House

October 6, 2021

Joel Zook, Energy PlannerWe’ve had a lot of people ask us for an update on any possible movement on clean energy at the federallevel. It’s been a busysummer here at WED, and I have not …


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Utilities Board Ordered Honesty from Alliant to Communities

October 6, 2021

In a pair of orders in 2020 (January pp97-106 and October) related to the 2019 Alliant rate increase, the Iowa Utilities Board directed Alliant to develop a stakeholder engagement plan that would “present accurate information …


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Mission Possible: Accelerating Solar 10x In Rural America

October 6, 2021

From Giving CompassPart 4 of a multipart series about Clean Energy Districts. In this article, Jim Osterhaus, Chair of Clayton County Energy District, and Andy Johnson, WED Executive Director discuss the evolution, opportunities, and impact …


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Electric Vehicles Are Greener, All Things Considered

October 1, 2021

While it’s true that electric vehicles generally cost about half as much to drive in fuel compared to gasoline/diesel “¦ We often get asked “are they really better for climate and the environment, given that …


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It Is Unequivocal That Human Influence Has Warmed The Atmosphere, Ocean and Land.

September 2, 2021

So reads the first Headline Statement from the most recent, definitive, and ominous IPCC report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.More: “Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every …