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,
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
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,
(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
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
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
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
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.
Two critical Iowa policies that support solar and other renewable energy may be undone in the current legislative session: Net Metering and Tax Credits. You can act now: visit our legislator page, then call or email your state Senator and Representative with two simple messages: 1. Keep Iowa’s solar and clean energy tax credits in place. Together with the federal credits (extended in 2015) they are helping NEIA lead the
The Iowa legislature is currently debating three pieces of legislation of special interest to renewable energy advocates in Iowa. To take action, call or email your Iowa Representative or Senator, with contact information found here. Some information here is take from the Iowa Environmental Council’s weekly legislative updates, which can be received by signing up at their site. “NO” on SF406/HF548 SF406/HF548 imposes additional requirements for interconnection customers connecting renewable energy