Luther College pledges to support local municipal electric utility

Luther College has pledged $15,000 towards a feasibility study of a Municipal Electric Utility for Decorah.

Decorah has the option to switch to a municipal utility because the city's 25-year electricity franchise agreement with Alliant Energy expires in 2018.

According to the group that is promoting a municipal electric utility, Decorah Power, a public electric utility could offer Decorah-area residents an opportunity to invest in local initiatives.  It could also help Decorah residents and businesses exercise local control over their sustainability and carbon reduction goals through locally owned electricity generation.

"We see a municipal electric utility as a very exciting prospect for both Luther and the Decorah community and are happy to support the feasibility study," said Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities Director Jon Jensen.  He added, "We hope others in the community will see the value in supporting Decorah Power so that our community can have the facts as we evaluate the option of a municipal electric utility for Decorah,"

After the feasibility study is completed, the information will be brought to the community to determine whether it is advisable to seek a referendum on the issue.