An Energy District is a local institution that leads, implements, and accelerates the locally-owned, inclusive, clean energy transition. The Winneshiek Energy District pioneered the energy district model in 2010. Today, there are nine established Energy Districts in Iowa, two in Wisconsin, and more in the planning stages.  

Modeled after the soil and water conservation districts that were created after the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, the goal of each energy district is to provide expert technical assistance so that homeowners, businesses, and farmers can make wise investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.  

These investments produce energy cost savings and also stimulate the local economy.  In the process, Energy Districts create local jobs and retain and grow wealth (the green of energy prosperity), and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions and air pollution (the green of climate stewardship).  

Energy Districts are geographically and socioeconomically inclusive, independent, and nonpartisan. They create change through principal strategies of energy planning, market transformation, public engagement, advocacy, and readiness. As the flywheel of momentum builds, tipping points of energy efficiency and locally-owned renewable energy are crossed, community clean energy identity grows, and the transition becomes unstoppable.