Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist, Winneshiek Energy District December 31, 2019 Shippable Solar kits for faraway lands? Snacks from the byproduct of beer-making? Carbon accounting apps? Yes, these all exist and were showcased at the GreenBIZ VERGE19 conference, in addition to dozens of industry experts from around the country. My colleague Joel Zook and I had the privilege to attend VERGE19 in Oakland, CA October 22-24 with support from the Solutions
In Iowa, grassroots energy districts aim to spur local clean energy conversations In Iowa, grassroots energy districts aim to spur local clean energy conversations Karen Uhlenhuth, Energy News Network The concept is modeled on soil and water conservation districts that spread across the country in the 1930s. A decade ago, Craig Mosher was one of a half-dozen people trying to rethink energy in their small hometown of Decorah in northeast
WHO makes up an energy district? What do Energy Districts do and WHY do they do it? Learn all about energy districts on the Clean Energy District Fact Sheet
Lyle Luzum, Board Chair The Winneshiek Energy District was formed in 2010 to lead, implement, and accelerate the clean energy transition in Winneshiek County. One additional part of our mission has been to help others understand the concept of an energy district, create a replicable model, and to assist other counties who want to start one. In recent years, that has begun to happen, and it is accelerating. Currently, Energy
Andy Johnson, Director Energy Districts are sprouting around eastern Iowa almost as fast as the corn, and a movement is born. Champions of locally-owned clean energy are taking the bull by the horns and getting to work in county after county. These county efforts have just created an association, and the model has just been included in the comprehensive national clean energy and climate action plan of presidential candidate Jay
The ILSRs latest podcast episode “Innovation in Small Town America” features WED and the unique locally-owned clean energy accomplishments in the region. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is an organization dedicated to the building of healthier, wealthier, and more resilient communities and economies, at the local and regional level. Their valuable work covers independent business, locally-owned energy and broadband, banking, waste, and more. We encourage readers to check out the ILSR
Over 60 individuals from over two dozen organizations and four states gathered at the Hotel Winneshiek in early December for the (first annual?) Iowa-Midwest Energy District Conference. The goal was to share experience with locally-owned clean energy and to strategize about how to grow the Energy District movement.
To All Iowa Clean Energy and Climate Stewardship Champions: don’t get discouraged, roll up your sleeves and get to work! That is the message from Winneshiek Energy District, which hostedthe first Iowa-Midwest Energy District Conference* in Decorah, on December 8-9. Great things are happening in clean energy at the local level around Iowa. Imagine if we could universalize those efforts, and create a “universal local” infrastructure for local leadership in clean