Proposed Cuts to Energy Efficiency Program Will Affect Rebate Levels

Joel Zook, Energy Planner Some Rebates Will Be Eliminated Completely If you’ve considered making any upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business, you may want to act now while rebates still exist to help lower the cost. SF2311 was passed this legislative year and mandates a dramatic cut in Alliant Energy and Black Hills Energy’s energy efficiency programs. Insulation, air sealing and other rebates are being

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Decorah City Council Members Announce Public Forum related to Electric Utility Franchise Agreement

Decorah City Council Members Announce Public Forum related to Electric Utility Franchise Agreement

For Immediate Release Contact: Chad Bird, City of Decorah, City Manager, 563-382-3651 Decorah City Council Members Announce Public Forum related to Electric Utility Franchise Agreement Decorah, IA (June 26, 2018) – Decorah City Council members, led by utility committee chair, Andy Carlson have scheduled Saturday, June 30, 2018, for an informational meeting to interact with the public on issues surrounding the renewal of the city’s franchise agreement with Alliant Energy.

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Now is the Time to (re)Consider Solar

Now is the Time to (re)Consider Solar

Joel Zook, Energy Planner I am taking another hard look at solar panels for my home. My roof is not an ideal site for solar; It faces west and is heavily shaded through most of the morning. I ran the numbers shortly after buying my house and the payback was longer than I was willing to commit to. However, it’s been a few years and prices continue to fall. Additionally,

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Energy Efficiency: Act Now or Lose $$$

Andy Johnson, Executive Director Have energy efficiency projects been on your should-do list for a long time, but not quite made the HONEY-DO list? Consider acting now to take full advantage of financial incentives, because many of those incentives will not be available come January 1, 2018. How do we know this? The utility lobby – especially Alliant and MidAmerican – designed, fought for and won passage of a “Christmas

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SPRING CLEANING: Small measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency

SPRING CLEANING: Small measures to improve your home’s energy efficiency

Emily Osborne, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Audit Coordinator Got a bored teenager and want to lower your energy bills? If so, here is a quick list of opportunities to kill two birds with one stone!  Make natural cleaners. As our nation transitions to a chemical-free food system, why not apply the same mentality towards our cleaning supplies? Creating your personal cleaner reduces your home’s exposure to unknown chemicals, helps the environment,

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Policy Update

Policy Update

(or “How To Keep Your Energy And Dollars Local”) Andy Johnson, Director LOCAL: Decorah Power is working hard to answer questions, educate voters, and counter a great deal of myth and misinformation regarding the tremendous opportunity for a municipal electric utility. Learn more at their website, volunteer to help, and contribute through the website or their crowdfunding campaign. STATE: Two bills continue to make their way through the legislature. SF2311 is an omnibus

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Decorah Public Library Fundraises for LED Lights

Decorah Public Library Fundraises for LED Lights

2017 is a bright year at the Decorah Public Library. The city-owned building on the corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street plans to complete an LED lighting retrofit this year that will increase light quality for library patrons and save the library money on electricity and maintenance. The library is asking for donations to help fund the remaining cost of the project. Approximately two-thirds of the $15,500 project is

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Decorah Library Fundraises for LED Lights

2017 is a bright year at the Decorah Public Library. The city-owned building on the corner of Main Street and Winnebago Street plans to complete an LED lighting retrofit this year that will increase light quality for library patrons and save the library money on electricity and maintenance. The library is asking for donations to help fund the remaining cost of the project. Approximately two-thirds of the $15,500 project is

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Howard County Energy District Hosts Solar Tour

Cresco, IA – On a grey morning in Howard County renewable energy advocates from Howard County’s newly formed Energy District illuminated the economic and environmental benefits of Iowa solar tax credits on their March 24th Solar Tour.   The group of community leaders and state representative Jane Bloomingdale visited numerous solar sites around Cresco, Iowa. KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

Decorah Asked to Explore Local Electric Municipality

New community organization urges city to consider its options Decorah (IA) – The concept of the City of Decorah becoming its own municipal electrical utility (MEU) was presented to the Decorah City Council’s utility committee on Monday night. The presentation was made by Decorah Power, a new non-profit comprised of Decorah area residents formed to explore the option. “This is about opportunities”, stated Decorah Power President Larry Grimstad in introduction.

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