University of Iowa students present City of Decorah with

The average Decorah homeowner could save $400 a month on their energy bill, according to graduate students from the University of Iowa.

The students on Monday night outlined the conclusions of their eight month study of possible environmental improvements in Decorah.  They suggested that adding home insulation, using energy efficient appliances, sealing building leaks and using compact fluorescent bulbs could bring down energy costs.

The study focuses especially on rainwater runoff issues.  It concludes that 14 million gallons of rainwater runoff could be kept out of Decorah's storm sewers each year if 10 percent of homeowners made improvements to their properties.  The study suggests charging homeowners a fee based on their property's "impervious surface coverage," with the money raised used to pay for citywide stormwater projects.

City Administrator Jerry Freund told the group, "You have given all of us something to think about."  Freund said he hoped the work of the U of I students would be a springboard for the work of the Winneshiek Energy District and the current Sustainable Decorah program.