On August 6th we celebrated the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program’s 10th Anniversary with our 9th team: Luke Forsberg (summer member), Maddy Knutson, Katherine Hannigan, and Briana Burke, (not pictured: Gracie Engle and Ally Peters). The lunch hour celebration consisted of speakers, honoring this year’s teams from eight sites across Iowa. Katherine gave a dynamite presentation highlighting this our 2018-2019 team’s work in northeast Iowa. There were cupcakes, GIA alumni, and
Kristin Eggen, Communications and Outreach When it comes to energy-efficiency, lighting is low-hanging fruit that offers the biggest payback. That’s why energy districts across northeast Iowa have organized quick-and-easy Bulb Swaps for your to quickly exchange up to four incandescent lightbulbs for high-efficiency LED bulbs. Winneshiek County July 31 and August 7 Winneshiek Farmers Market – 3 pm to 6 pm August 14 Decorah Community Food Pantry – 1:30 pm to
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
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
Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist From disconnected ducts to alien cats, attend this month’s energy breakfast to hear stories from a year in the “boots” of northeast Iowa’s energy-saving superstars: The Green Iowa AmeriCorps team. The 2018-19 team has made an impressive impact in our community through home energy assessments, environmental education, and outreach: 11 months, 4 full-time members, two summer members, 120 homes, and over 112 tons of carbon saved. The
Fighting the Alliant Rate Increase Andy Johnson, Director Hundreds of people packed the Hotel Winneshiek opera house on May 2nd to voice their opposition to Alliant’s roughly 25% proposed rate hike. Thousands of comments have been submitted to the Iowa Utilities Board demonstrating that Iowans are united against the uncontrolled, rapid, repeated rise in rates. Widespread shock and anger have focused on Alliant’s blatantly false claims during the 2018 municipalization
2406, 2019
In Review: The 2nd Annual Electric Vehicle Fest
Briana Burke, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Logistics Coordinator Earlier this June, the Winneshiek Energy District and 150 community members gathered at the Winneshiek County fairgrounds for the 2nd annual Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)val. With the sun shining, and a nice breeze, it was a perfect early summer day to peruse the fairgrounds while learning about electric vehicles(EV). Local EV drivers brought their rides including Teslas, Nissan Leafs, Chevy Volts, and more, to
Today we welcome Ally Peters and Luke Forsberg as Green Iowa AmeriCorps summer members. Luke and Ally will serve 300 hours this summer helping to scale up our summer programs and make northeast Iowa a more sustainable place to live through environmental education projects, home energy assessments, and community service projects. Both have studied political science and environmental science at Luther College. This summer’s projects will include work with the Decorah butterfly garden,
This is John Molumby, from the Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative, with Bri Burke and Gracie Engle of the Green Iowa AmeriCorps team. The GIA team recently took a field trip to the ACEC headquarters so we could pick up a blower door fan, frame, and other equipment John was donating to the Winneshiek Energy District. We’ve been working with John for a while. He’s referred ACEC clients with high utility
Kristin Eggen, Communications & Outreach Coordinator The Winneshiek Energy District and local partners announce the second annual Electric Vehicle Fest(EV)al will be back at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds’ Danan Lansing Building on Saturday, June 8th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This free event will feature an electric vehicle with various plug-in models from area dealerships, a community electric vehicle car show (sign up to participate), workshops, a history of