Nine northeast Iowa cities and counties are partnering with the Energy Districts of northeast Iowa to evaluate the potential to achieve SolSmart designation. SolSmart is a national program that certifies local governments as solar friendly, or “open for solar business”. This regional SolSmart collaborative is the topic of the October Energy Breakfast, to be held at Tbocks downstairs, on Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30 am. All are welcome and requested
Explore Decorah’s history of sustainability in the recent issue of Vesterheim: A publication of the National Norwegian-American Museum and Heritage Center (Vol. 16 No.1). Inside you’ll find an article that delves into the history of sustainability in the Decorah community written by Jim Martin-Schramm. It spotlights several local businesses and homes, including the Winneshiek Energy District (p. 7). Check it out: Read the Verterheim article: One Community Making a Sustainable Difference, Martin-Schramm
1. Use the resources you have – be that wind, solar, or biomass – to fuel your life. Some examples: biking to work, electric cars charged by rooftop solar, high-efficiency wood stoves for heating, rooftop solar… 2. Support energy efficiency in your home and community – It’s a cheaper, easier, and cleaner to produce a small amount of local energy than a large amount. Your energy district can help in
Want to cast a vote right now – this very minute – for a healthy, prosperous, and innovative Decorah? For locally-owned, super-fast, highly-reliable, unlimited, and affordable internet? Stop what you’re doing, go to http://www.ourbroadbandfuture.com/decorah.html, and take the Decorah Fiber Pledge for your household or business. (We’ll get to the energy connection soon, but first take the pledge, then keep reading!) In 2015, the Decorah community overwhelmingly voted YES (94%) to
The Winneshiek Energy District welcomes Carmen Finken from the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education to the monthly Energy Breakfast program on August 21st. Finken oversees Sustainable Schools AmeriCorps, a new program that serves as a resource and catalyst to help Iowa school districts save energy, save money and engage students in building a more sustainable future. The program will start at 7:30 AM at T-Bock’s
On Wednesday, July 25th from 3-6PM recycle your old small electronic devices at the Winneshiek Farmers Market and help endangered species at the same time. At a glance: Where: Winneshiek Farmers Market, Oneota Co-op Parking lot, Decorah When: Wedensday, July 25th, 3:00-6:00PM What: Accepted items: old cell phones, chargers, iPods/MP3 players, and headphones. Participants will help conserve wildlife by reducing the need for mining and human interference by donating old cell phones, chargers, iPods/MP3
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
The Winneshiek Energy District unveiled a new web tool for twenty attendees at Tuesday’s July Energy Breakfast in T-Bocks Underground. While slices quiche got smaller and smaller, attendees saw large pie charts as web developer Brad Crawford showed the aptitude of the new Ag Energy Report tool. Ag Energy Report is an online calculator that shows the estimated total agricultural energy inputs across Iowa and by county. Crawford used data
Next time you step into the Art Haus gallery on West Water St in Decorah, you may notice a slight difference in the ambiance, not due to the art, but due to the light! On July 12th, Green Iowa AmeriCorps members Drew Peeler and Emily Osborne performed a direct install service and replaced sixteen bulbs with high-efficiency LED light bulbs. This simple installation will save the non-profit an estimated $145
Kristin Eggen, Communications Specialist This month, I caught up with Josie and Travis from Decorah Bicycles (DB) to hear about their E-Bikes, a new form of bicycle transportation that could be an innovative tool for those looking to decrease the carbon footprint of their around-town transportation. KE: Hi Josie, I’ve recently noticed a sign advertising E-bikes at Decorah Bicycles. I’m just going to ask straight out: what is an E-bike?