IOWA-MIDWEST ENERGY DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2016

When: December 8-9, 2016
Where: Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah, Iowa
Home of the first Energy District in the Nation (Scroll down for Agenda, Registration, and Lodging)
When was the last time you attended an energy/climate conference …
rooted in a theory of change that all energy is local, structures are replicable, and “universal local” is the foundation of movement building?
located and firmly grounded where the real work is – and must be – happening?
bringing together implementers, thinkers, legislators, and funders?
setting a humble, achievable goal to change the course of history (if you come)?
Learn more about the Energy District model here.
FORMAT AND AGENDA
Each of the two days of this working conference will engage participants in defining the future of the Energy District movement at the regional, state and national levels. Each half day will include a cycle of presentation briefs, break-out small group work sessions, and rejoinder discussion (which may take place during or spill over into lunch). The agenda below is in flux and specifics will evolve as the date approaches based, in part, on your input. Please feel free to register for one or both days.
Thursday December 8: The “Universal Local” Energy District Model, and How To Start An Energy District
7:30 to 9:00 TENTATIVE: Partner led (MREA and USDOE) community solar workshop (registration will be separate)
9:30 to 12:30 Conference Opening Session: Why Universal Local? Innovation Repeats Itself: the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Model. Core Functions of Energy Districts.
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch (included in the registration, along with refreshments available throughout the day)
1:30 to 5:00 Green Meets Green: powerful synergies in economic development and climate stewardship; How To Start An Energy District In Your Home Place.
5:00 to 6:30 Energy Hour at Hotel Winneshiek (our conference host)
6:00 to 7:30 TENTATIVE: Energy District funders discussion and working supper
Friday December 9: Collaborative Creation of Model Energy District Enabling Act for State Legislatures*
9:30 to 12:30 Deep Dive Into Legislation Components: legal structure/local establishment; powers and responsibilities; funding; and more
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch (included in the registration, along with refreshments throughout the day)
1:30 to 4:00 Deep Dive (cont); Strategies For Legislative Leadership; Key State Options And Partnerships
*In 1937 the Roosevelt Administration created a model Soil Conservation District enabling act that was subsequently adopted (with variations) by all 50 states. Will a model Energy District enabling act be born in Iowa, and spread from here? You can help answer that question.
REGISTRATION