Letter to the Editor: "Vote 'Yes' to allow our city council to continue to get answers."

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Leslie Sand of Decorah):

"I wish I could vote 'Yes' on May 1st, but I am an Alliant customer living outside the city limits of Decorah. A 'Yes' vote will allow the city council to determine what is best for our town. It does not obligate the council to make a decision one way or the other.

A former city council member said, 'The city council never had one person...voice concern about the service Alliant Energy was providing' (DM Register, 4/22/18). Does a person voice concern to the city council when the complaint is something the city council has no control over? Alliant has a monopoly, is regulated by the Iowa Utilities Board, is huge and is headquartered in Wisconsin.

Alliant's top executives are EACH paid over $2 million annually, including over $6 million to the CEO. They make good profits for their shareholders. A Decorah non-profit electric utility will not do that. Salaries will be paid to employees who live in the area. Money can be put into improving services to its customers, such as burial of power lines and reduced rates.

The largest share of Alliant's electricity comes from coal. Coal plants are being closed in favor of sustainable, clean, wind and solar energy. Alliant has lagged in pursuing renewable energy. In 2016, 15 percent of Alliant's electric capacity came from green energy; at MidAmerican, it was 47 percent (DM Register, 4/22/18). Alliant was asked to build a solar garden in the Decorah area, where customers could buy into the project; Alliant did not respond.

I trust my friends and neighbors who are spearheading this project. I also trust the people Alliant has on the ground providing us with good service. However, I do not trust their boss Alliant to be an unbiased source of information during the last several weeks in this discussion.

Please vote YES to allow our city council to continue to get answers."