Following the closure of Alliant Energy’s coal-fired Lansing Generating Station in 2022, Allamakee County, IA has suffered from high rates of poverty and high energy costs. To address these issues, the Allamakee Energy District will pilot a technical assistance program to reduce energy costs for households and other institutions including local governments and non-profit organizations in the area. Additionally, the project will incorporate a workforce development component to train workers to address energy-related infrastructure issues throughout the county. This project has the potential to impact the affordability of housing and business activities, leading to an increase in the county’s economic vitality.
<< Learn more about our impact“The Allamakee Energy District (AED) is only five years old and, like much of our county in northeastern Iowa, has very few resources.
Our mission became even more important when Alliant Energy, an investor-owned utility, decided in 2020 to close its remaining coal-fired power plant in the county. This facility provided several good-paying union jobs and was a vital part of the tax base of Allamakee County. The power plant’s closure in 2022 has had a significant economic impact.
I can’t tell you how overjoyed we were to be selected by the Just Transition Fund to receive funding through the Coal Communities Get Ready! program. We are using those funds to provide free energy planning services throughout Allamakee County to low-income households and nonprofits to help them save money through wise investments in energy efficiency and, where possible, in renewable energy (primarily solar).
JTF funding has enabled us to hire an Outreach and Engagement Coordinator and to contract for the services of a certified energy planner from our neighbor the Winneshiek Energy District. They have provided free energy planning services to over twenty nonprofits and are working with regional partners to reach out to low-income households. We have also hired a part-time grant writer to help develop federal funding applications relating to important needs in our county. None of this work would have been possible without the invaluable support of the Just Transition Fund.”
– Lori Egan, Board Chair, Allamakee Energy District