Decorah Power begins feasibility study

Decorah Power says a feasibility study has begun to investigate the opportunities and potential challenges of a Decorah Municipal Electric Utility.

NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC, a management and consulting firm serving the utility industry, and Dave Berg Consulting of Minneapolis will be conducting the feasibility study. Decorah Power has retained former Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Director Bob Haug for technical help through the study process. "Bob Haug's expertise is critical, as is the support of our local and Des Moines legal counsel," said Decorah Power representative Joel Zook.  He added, "Having their assistance during this process will ensure the study is done right, and done well."

Said Decorah Power President Larry Grimstad, "We are confident they will be able to give us sound information upon which we can base future decisions."

Decorah Power brought the idea of investigating a municipal electric utility to the Decorah City Council in March. The Council voted unanimously to approve Decorah Power conducting the feasibility study if it could do so with privately raised funds. The Council appointed Councilmember Steve Luse as liaison to Decorah Power during the process.

Said Decorah Power representative Tabita Green, "We believe the economic development and stewardship opportunities of a municipal electric utility are powerful, but we also realize there could be very significant challenges. The study and a parallel series of invited speakers and workshops should help to clarify those opportunities and potential challenges. We welcome input from all members of the community."

A request for proposals was issued in March, and six proposals were received from firms around the country.