by Nicholas Romano, Green Iowa Corps Education Coordinator Ideal Energy A leader in Iowa solar industries since 2009, Ideal Energy has engaged in solar installation, financing, power purchasing agreements, battery storage, and now research into the Gren Hydrogen arena. Amy Vanbeek and Troy Vanbeek co-founded Ideal Energy after recognizing the need for renewable energy based on the world’s reliance on finite carbon-based energy sources. Now they are piloting the production
by Joel Zook, Energy Planner We’ve been asked recently why Black Hills natural gas bills are rising and continue to rise when the rate increase was a one-time deal, and was reported to be a relatively small one. The answer is complicated, but we’ll try to explain. Here are three take-aways: Yes, Black Hills recently raised their rates However, the larger impact on your home or business’s bills is due
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 2021, with preorders available for vehicles rolling off the line in spring 2022. The decision to increase production was likely due to the popularity of the newly launched EV and the large number of reservation.
Andy Johnson, Executive Director Iowa’s solar tax credit has been critical to the growth of locally-owned solar in Winneshiek County and throughout Iowa. Thanks to oversubscription and linkage with a phasing out federal credit, its future is in jeopardy. House File 221 would pay down the wait list, raise the annual cap, and decouple from the federal credit, and needs your support! This Iowa Solar Energy Trade Association page is an excellent resource
By Andy Johnson, Executive Director There is growing interest in what’s happening at the FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) around net metering for customer-owned solar. We introduced the topic last issue, and provided a resource page on our web site. Here we’ll dive a little deeper. In April, a shadow group called the New England Ratepayer’s Association (NERA) submitted a petition to the FERC for a “declaratory order”. The NERA
Andy Johnson, Executive Director, Winneshiek Energy District The Iowa Utilities Board has issued a final ruling on the recent Alliant Energy electric rate increase. The Energy District joined the City of Decorah, Luther College, Winneshiek Medical Center, and Aase Haugen Senior Services in forming the Decorah Area Group (DAG). DAG submitted extensive testimony in opposition to the rate increase, and in support of locally-owned energy efficiency and solar rights. DAG’s
Andy Johnson, Executive Director, Winneshiek Energy District How high’s the water, mama? Two feet high and risin’ How high’s the water, papa? She said it’s two feet high and risin’ We can make it to the road in a homemade boat That’s the only thing we got left that’ll float It’s already over all the wheat and oats, Two feet high and risin’ Johnny Cash was no stranger to hard
The Utilities Board issued its Final Decision and Order and News Release late last week. Below is the initial statement from the Decorah Area Group, of which WED was a key organizer and partner. We will be developing and sharing more detailed analysis in the near future, so stay tuned! Statement from the Decorah Area Group: The Board’s final ruling in the Alliant rate case was a powerful statement on
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
The Winneshiek Energy District recognizes and applauds the process the city is going through to craft a comprehensive sustainability plan. We have been contributing to the energy portion of this plan and believe that this tool will help propel the community of Decorah toward a more sustainable future. We encourage all Decorah residents to take a look and submit their thoughts and suggestions through the Decorah Sustainability Plan Feedback Form.