Osage Utilities General Manager Josh Byrnes encourages Decorah to explore a municipal utility

The general manager of Osage Municipal Utilities, Josh Byrnes, spoke at City Hall Monday, discussing the benefits of a locally owned utility and explaining how Osage runs their municipal utility.

Osage Municipal Utilities uses wind energy.  It also sells subscriptions to Osage residents on a 4-acre solar farm.  They also offer monthlys rebate for solar customers. "We offer rebates for LED lights, we encourage furnace and air conditioning units to be serviced," shared Byrnes.

Byrnes appreciates the way the municipal utility can be used for community enhancements. Their profit goes right back into the community, from helping the cooperative elevator with needed upgrades, to replacing electric poles. Kayaks were purchased through a "more sense grant" and are loaned out to residents who might not be able to afford their own. The municipal utility was able to provide a loan for a small business owner.

Osage Municipal Utilities is able to keep rates low.  Byrnes says they haven't had to have a lot of rate increases. Being local, they do their own repairs and are able to do them fairly quickly. "Our power outages almost don't exist," said Byrnes. He said the utility purchases equipment with the city and the two organizations share resources.

Byrnes spoke at a meeting organized by Decorah Power, a local citizens group that has raised $64,000 to pay for a feasibility study about Decorah creating a municipal electric utility.  The remaining $36,000 needs to be raised by the end of this year.  The current 25-year electricity franchise agreement the City of Decorah has with Alliant Energy expires in 2018.

"History proves this is a monumental task you are attempting in Decorah," said Byrnes, "but I wouldn't want it any other way. I love working with people to make things work. It's valuable that it's local, residents love our customer service. It's worth it," concluded Byrnes.