Joel Zook, Energy Planner Farms are eligible for cost-share dollars for on-farm energy improvements. If you are considering a new grain dryer, or are looking to upgrade lighting, heating or dairy equipment consider an Agricultural Energy Management Plan to qualify. Talk with Joel Zook or with your local NRCS office about EQIP funding. There’s no true off-season on a farm but take advantage of the break between planting and harvest
Andy Johnson, Director Joel Zook, Energy Planner The Iowa Legislature just passed a bill creating a new triple-tax scenario on electric vehicles (EV) for Iowans, and a bureaucratic nightmare to implement. HF767 fails to address the real challenges involved and creates a burden of triple-taxation and regulatory uncertainty for Iowa households, farms, businesses and institutions. There is no question that the transition to electric vehicles will require policy adjustment to
Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist The Winneshiek Energy District is partnering with Luna Valley Farm on Friday, May 17th from 4-8pm for a clean energy fundraising night. A percentage of the evening’s sales will support local, clean energy programming in Winneshiek County. The Winneshiek Energy District is a local non-profit with a mission to lead, implement, and accelerate the locally-owned, inclusive, clean energy transition in Winneshiek County. Recent projects have included
Andy Johnson, Director Calling all clean energy and shop-local advocates: the first every Energy Efficiency day at the state capitol is next Tuesday, January 22. WED is coordinating ride-sharing; email Joel Zook if you’re interested. According to the US Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency could save customers over $2 trillion by 2030. Yes you heard that right, energy efficiency holds massive, almost unlimited potential for keeping energy dollars local. Your grandma’s
You are invited to Eric Holthaus, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Cedar Rapids, to learn about Cedar Rapids’ sustainability initiatives. Holthaus will be the featured speaker at Energy Breakfast, Tuesday, January 15th at 7:30 AM at T-Bock’s Underground. He will cover topics including the development of the city’s Municipal Sustainability Plan, becoming a STAR Certified Community, and projects in waste reduction, solar, biking, and green yards. Since joining the
Join the Environmental Law and Policy Center’s(ELPC) Senior Policy Advocate Steve Falck at T-bock’s Sports Bar and Grille for a conversation about local energy policy on December 18th. Mr. Falck will provide an overview of energy policy for the upcoming legislative session. He will also discuss opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy policy, which policies could be under attack, and how locally-led Energy Districts can help. Steve Falck
Amy Bouska, Howard County Energy District, Citizen’s Climate Lobby It’s only half a mile between the Hart Senate Office Building and the Longworth House Office Building, but when you add in a security check and getting lost in the labyrinthine buildings on both ends, it takes 15-20 minutes of fast walking each way. Of course, my appointments in November were House, Senate, House, Senate. I think of it as the
Andy Johnson, Director OK we’re past the mid-terms, what is the picture for clean energy policy in Iowa? Not great, frankly, but here are two priorities we can all – whatever your ideology – get to work on, and one long-shot, alley-oop shout-out to Republicans with clean energy leadership inclinations. First priority: Restore full funding to the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The WAP is a comprehensive home energy improvement
Joel Zook, Energy Planner In the clean energy line-up, Solar is the MVP. We get it. Solar is shiny and new, it slashes your electric bill, you’re creating your very own clean energy – what could be better? But if you dig down to why people install solar there are often two main reasons: it makes sense financially, and it’s going to help reduce their impact. I’m here to introduce
In early November, the City of Guttenberg, the Clayton County Energy District’s (CCED) and local landlord’s Isaac Eulberg and Gary Willman completed their lights and water direct install kick off the project. Consistent with the energy district’s value, “to build community by keeping energy local, clean and fair,” the goal of the project was to lower energy costs for a targeted group of low to moderate income households while helping