Feb. 5, 2025

Muscatine County Energy District held a very successful Local Leader Lunch at the Stanley Center for Peace and Security on Feb. 5, 2025.  About thirty people attended from Muscatine and West Liberty.  Elected officials and staff from cities, county, local utility, Community College, and community foundation attended.

Bill Bedenbender, Ed Morse Ford, showed off a bright blue Ford EV truck. Bill outlined the benefits of an electric vehicle (EV).  EV’s don’t need gas or oil so the costs and carbon emissions are less.  Individuals with respiratory illnesses benefit from less pollution in the air.

Mark Patton is  a member of the Muscatine County Clean Energy District board and an energy coach for the United States Department of Agriculture. Mark noted that applications for solar installations increased in December 2025.  Solar farms create jobs, provide stable income to farmers, generate taxes for local schools and counties, and have not smell or pollution.

Mark Odell, a member of the Muscatine County Clean Energy District board, spoke about cities and school districts who have added solar for  energy production.  Over time, expenses will be reduced as gas and oil prices increase for ratepayers. Mark gave examples of cities and schools that have installed solar.

Ed Moreno offered the benefits of hybrid electric heat pumps.  Over the course of ten years, the cost of the heat pump is returned to the owner through reduced energy consumption.  Less consumption means lower energy bills and less pollution in the atmosphere.