Post Author's Photographer By Kristin Eggen February 15, 2026

Affordable energy is part of the affordable cost of living that is out of reach for many Iowans. Northeast Iowa was well represented at the 2026 Energy Advocacy Day organized by @midwestbdc on Thursday, February 5. WED joined colleagues in the clean local energy movement to talk to representatives about exciting legislative opportunities to create an affordable, efficient, fair energy future right here in Iowa. We talked to decisionmakers about the importance of energy affordability when considering housing affordability. Plug in solar provides energy affordability benefits to consumers.

From left: Paul Lovell (Howard County Energy District), Representative Michael Bergan, Lawson Morris (Luther), Kristin Eggen (Winneshiek Energy District), Bao Nguyen (Luther), Phil Iverson (Decorah).

An unexpected treat, Representative Bergan brought us to the top of the Capitol Dome! All 300+ stairs.

Since that trip, some clean energy legislation has made it through “the funnel” and some has not. See the CEDI’s 2026 Iowa Legislative Session page for more information.


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.

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