Energy District model is now being used in Clayton County

The Winneshiek Energy District was founded in 2010 by Decorah residents Andy and Paul Johnson as a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability.

The energy district model is now being used in other Iowa counties, including nearby Clayton County.  The Clayton County Energy District officially got its start in December of 2015, although sustainability supporters had done several projects beforehand.

Clayton County Energy District Coordinator Joleen Jansen told a group of Decorah residents Tuesday, "We're just getting going, but things are going very well."  For instance, home energy assessments done at 45 homes in Clayton County have saved over $5,000 in energy bills and have prevented 45 tons of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

Jansen says it takes people power, money and enthusiasm to start an energy district.  Clayton County Energy District Board Chair Harry Blobaum says Clayton County had people willing to work as a champion for sustainable energy.  He says it was also helpful to have Winneshiek Energy District nearby--especially the Green Iowa interns who could perform energy audits.

Winneshiek Energy District Director Andy Johnson--who will speak at a breakfast of the Clayton County Energy District on Friday morning--says people everywhere want to support clean energy--the question is where the resources will come from.