Winneshiek Energy District gets to promote its model to Congressman Bruce Braley

(Left to right): Congressman Bruce Braley with T-Bock's owner Dominique Bockman, who used WED to help with energy improvements at the restaurant, and WED Director Andy Johnson

Congressman Bruce Braley visited Decorah Monday morning to discuss clean energy and job creation with officials of the Winneshiek Energy District.

WED Director Andy Johnson told Braley that locally-run energy districts would be "the most transformative solution to energy issues."   Johnson said WED is modeled after the Soil and Water Conservation Districts that were formed by partnerships among federal, state and local officials after the Dust Bowl.

Braley agreed with Johnson that there is a demand and interest fr energy efficiency and said we need "to make smarter decisions" about the best ways to encourage such practices.