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Learn about renewable energy tax credits for homes, farms, and businesses:
Starting this June 2025 homeowners and renters can request free installation of energy-saving measures when they sign up for Bill Savers, a new program for Winneshiek County residents offered by the Winneshiek Energy District.
A Bill Savers appointment takes less than 30 minutes and includes the installation of energy saving equipment including LED light bulbs, hot water pipe insulation, low flow faucet aerators, and more. Appointments are available for Saturday, June 21 and Saturday June 28 from 9am to 1pm. Sign up at energydistrict.org/billsavers/ or call 563-382-4207 ext. 1 to schedule an appointment.
“The idea grew out of a community member’s passion for energy affordability. When we looked at rising energy prices combined with the potential loss of funding for programs like the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), we knew we had to do something to keep energy bills affordable in our community.” says Winneshiek Energy District Executive Director Kristin Eggen. “Our mission includes increasing energy efficiency in Winneshiek County, so the idea was a perfect fit.”
The Bill Savers Home Install program is made possible by volunteers of all ages and abilities who spend a Saturday morning swapping light bulbs and saving their neighbors energy. To volunteer, email Rorie Weidow at rorie@energydistrict.org or call 563-382-4207 ext. 1.
“It is a practical way to make a difference in your community and meet new people. Nobody wants their heat shut off because they can’t pay their bills,” says Bill Savers champion & volunteer Joel Zook.
“Bill Savers won’t instantly solve unaffordable bills, but it will help people – especially our neighbors who are unable to perform these installs themselves – have more affordable bills and a comfortable home.” says Eggen.
The Bill Savers program is modeled after the Winneshiek Energy District’s longtime Green Iowa AmeriCorps First Step Home Efficiency program which employed a team of AmeriCorps volunteers to perform free energy audits across northeast Iowa and perform similar direct installation of energy-saving measures. From 2012-2023 the First Step Efficiency Program saved northeast Iowans an estimated $1.7 million in energy costs, and avoided over 14,000 tons of carbon emissions.
Donations can be made to support the Bill Savers program at energydistrict.org/donate/ or checks mailed to Winneshiek Energy District, PO Box 14, Decorah, IA 52101.
The Winneshiek Energy District is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to lead, implement, and accelerate the locally owned, inclusive clean energy transition in Winneshiek County Iowa.
Meet Rorie! Rorie is a Junior studying Business Administration with an emphasis on Energy Management and a minor in Environment and Sustainability at Western Colorado University! A Decorah native, Rorie joined the Winneshiek Energy District team as WED’s summer 2025 Clean Energy Outreach Intern. She is excited to work within the community to promote energy and climate stewardship, and learn everything there is to know about non-profit energy districts!
Upon graduation, she hopes to work in the energy industry, bringing a passion for promoting environmentalism and community engagement to the modern energy sector. Welcome, Rorie!
On Wednesday May 21, the Winneshiek Energy District joined over a dozen local companies at the Decorah High School’s STEM Connect Day! At our booth, WED engaged with over 120 high school students to teach them about non-profit energy districts, as well as inform them about clean, efficient, and affordable energy opportunities within our community.
While visiting our booth, students had the opportunity to identify the most efficient lightbulb from the options presented on our interactive lightbulb switch board! Students could also use our infrared camera and home-heating display house to learn how the camera works when identifying home energy efficiency opportunities. Additionally, we gathered high school student volunteers for our Bill Saver’s program launching this summer. We are so excited to be able to offer this Silver Cord Volunteer Hour opportunity to our local high school students!
Small business owners and farmers are invited to “Solar For Small Businesses” a coffee hour conversation hosted by the Winneshiek Energy District on Tuesday, June 17 at 8am at Impact Coffee’s upstairs mezzanine. Coffee’s on us! Register here.
NOW is a great time to consider solar. The REAP grant offers 25% grants for small business and farm renewable energy projects. Hear about program qualifications from Clean Energy Districts of Iowa REAP Program Manager Steve Hopkins, and get your questions answered by local experts.
By the time you finish your coffee you will:
Join us! Registration is appreciated.
WINNESHIEK COUNTY, Iowa — The Winneshiek Energy District is excited to announce a new program offering free comprehensive home energy audits to income-qualifying households in Decorah and Winneshiek County. This initiative is designed to help residents reduce their energy bills, improve home comfort, and identify practical steps toward energy efficiency and home upgrade opportunities.
Thanks to recent grant funding, homeowners and renters can receive a detailed home energy audit at no cost. The assessment includes a thorough inspection of the home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and appliances, and includes a blower door test to assess air leakage. Participants receive a personalized report outlining recommended improvements, potential savings, and opportunities to make their homes healthier, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient.
“An energy audit can identify cost savings that aren’t always apparent,” said Paul Cutting, energy auditor for Winneshiek Energy District. “Reducing air infiltration and increasing insulation levels can lower energy costs by upwards of 25%, resulting in real savings.”
To be eligible for a free energy audit, households must have incomes less than 150% of area median income, or about $112,000 for household of two. Full details, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, are available at https://energydistrict.org/services/comprehensive-energy-assessment/
Clean Energy Districts of Iowa (CEDI), a nonprofit consortium of Energy Districts based in 14 counties in Iowa, is offering free energy coaching to assist farms and small businesses in applying for USDA grant funding for renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects. The Winneshiek Energy District is a member of CEDI.
USDA’s Rural Energy in America Program (REAP) is accepting grant applications that, if approved, would fund 25% of the cost of renewable energy or energy efficiency improvement projects.
Eligible projects for REAP renewable energy system grants include: biomass, geothermal, small and large scale wind generation, and small and large scale solar generation. Eligible projects for REAP energy efficiency improvements include: high efficiency heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) systems, insulation, lighting, cooling or refrigeration units, doors and windows, and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Ineligible projects include: any residential use, tractors or implements, new construction, or upgrades to buildings which do not currently consume energy.
CEDI provides priority assistance to customers and communities that are traditionally underserved by the REAP program, including areas defined by USDA as disadvantaged communities and distressed communities. CEDI also offers priority assistance to applicants with small grants ($20,000 or less) or grants for underutilized technologies.
CEDI employs two Energy Coaches for the REAP program to serve the 13 counties with Energy Districts. Steve Hopkins provides assistance in the following counties: Allamakee, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Dubuque, Howard, and Winneshiek. He may be reached at: steve.hopkins@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 641-831-3552.
Mark Patton provides assistance in the following counties: Delaware, Jackson, Johnson, Linn, Muscatine, Tama, and Polk. He may be reached at mark.patton@cleanenergydistricts.org or at 563-299-1839.
For more information or to apply for CEDI REAP coaching, please fill out the inquiry form at: www.cleanenergydistricts.org/reap. This is an Equal Opportunity Program. Discrimination is prohibited by Federal Law.
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Written by Kristin Eggen, Executive Director
The Winneshiek Energy District and First Lutheran Church invite the public to read and discuss “What if We Get It Right? Visions of a climate future” by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Book club discussions will take place on Thursday June 5 and Thursday June 26 in June at First Lutheran Church’s fireside lounge located at 604 W Broadway St in Decorah. The events start at 6pm and are open to the public.
The anthology features the author’s interviews with over 30 leaders across sectors such as banking, film, farming, policy, AI, and more. Johnson’s recurring question “What if we get it right?” opens up provocative and wide-reaching conversations that bravely imagine life on the other side of the climate crisis. The book is a New York Times bestseller and has been praised by Science Magazine to be ”An optimistic, actionable approach to addressing climate change, highlighting the importance of community, cultural shifts, and systemic change.”
“Johnson’s book reminds us that responding to climate change is a community effort that takes many leaders with different areas of expertise. We all have something to offer.” says Winneshiek Energy District Director Kristin Eggen. “Discussing these ideas with community members will be especially powerful, because at the end of the day all change starts at a local level.”
The first discussion will take place on Thursday June 5 at 6pm and cover the first half of the book. The second part will be discussed on Thursday June 26 at 6pm and cover the second half of the book. Those interested in joining for one or both discussions are encouraged to RSVP at energydistrict.org/events.
The book is available through local retailer Dragonfly Books at a 10% discount,, Libro.fm (audiobook only), and other retailers. Limited copies are available to borrow from the Winneshiek Energy District. Email kristin@energydistrict.org to inquire about borrowing a copy.
Questions? Contact the Winneshiek Energy District at contact@energydistrict.org or 563-382-4207 ext. 1.
Written by Andrew Johnson, Executive Director at Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
The focus of the letter is Return on Equity (ROE), which is essentially the level of utility profit approved by regulators in each rate-related case. Like many aspects of ratemaking, ROE can be wonky, but the letter from former regulators explains clearly why Iowa’s ROE levels are too high, and why the situation will only worsen if the current bill is passed.
After carefully explaining their concerns related to ROE, the letter states:
”We commend legislators for taking ratemaking reform seriously. To address the ROE issue (and its intersection with Integrated Resource Planning processes and ARP dockets) in a manner that protects ratepayers, pausing the current legislation in favor of further analysis may be the better part of wisdom.”
CEDI thanks the letter’s signatories for their willingness to contribute meaningfully to the conversation around the energy bill, and encourage readers to share the ROE Letter with their legislators.
Ask the Expert Q&A with Energy Planner Paul Cutting.
Q: Many of the car rental companies at the MSP airport, especially, are offering a lot of EVs at competitive rental prices, but I am hesitant to choose them because I don’t know that much about how to charge EVs in rural Northeast Iowa. How can I use this resource effectively (and in cool/cold times of year, especially) without getting stranded between charging stations?
PC: Great question. Admittedly I’m not an EV driver, nor have I ever rented one! But here are a few things you might consider as you weigh your ability to drive electric in unknown rural territory:
Battery Performance: In warm weather, most EVs perform to their rated ranges. In cold weather, ranges can be cut drastically, in some cases by as much as 50%. That car with 300 miles of rated range may only be good for 150 or 200 miles in January. So, if you’re renting from MSP and traveling to Decorah, you’ll have to do some sort of charging along the way, and you’d be wise to research your route prior to starting. There are many apps and websites to help you with this.
Research your route: Where are the chargers and do they actually work? For this, plugshare.com will be your friend, as will downloading any associated phone apps for the chargers you plan to use. Some chargers allow for payment with credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, while others require access through their phone app. Download these prior to starting your trip.
Understand the time difference between level 2 and level 3 fast charging. Level 2 chargers usually operate at speeds up to about 10kW. For example, an EV with an 80 kW battery can take upwards of 8+ hours to charge on a level 2 charger. These are perfect for destinations, like hotels, downtowns, or places you spend time at, and are commonly found in most small towns and rural areas. Plug your car in and return the next morning and it’s topped off. Decorah has many level 2 public chargers available.
Level 3 fast charging operates on a wide speed spectrum from about 30 kW to 350 kW. Not all level 3 chargers are created equal, so be sure to check plugshare.com for charging speeds. Using the same MSP to Decorah example, there’s 300 kW charging in Rochester, and 50 kW charging in Cannon Falls, Zumbrota and Preston. In Decorah, Decorah Chevy has level 3 charging with speeds of 180 kW and Alliant Energy recently installed level 3 chargers with speeds of 100 kW.
We hope this information empowers you to rent an EV during upcoming travels!
Do you have a question about home energy efficiency, renewable energy, or local energy initiatives? Maybe there’s something that’s always been confusing, or unclear to you? Submit a question to Clean Energy Q&A.