In 2012 an innovative Green Streetscapes project was completed in West Union, Iowa. The $10.2 million project included replacement of existing streets wih porous paving, bioswales, a civic plaza, sidewalks, street lighting, and a district geothermal system.
The city of West Union was recently awarded an Iowa Economic Development Authority/ Iowa Energy Center grant to study the current public geothermal loop system and hopefully advance this system from a pilot project to a source of clean energy prosperity for West Union and at the same time serve as a model for other communities.
This public infrastructure is owned by the City of West Union and is managed by the West Union District Energy LLC. (WUDE). The eleven members of the WUDE LLC are the system's current users. Each user pays a monthly user fee based on their building’s demand for the system. The geothermal wells are located in Fayette County Courthouse lawn and the loop field is located below the streets of the town square.
Project Led by Winneshiek Energy District
The Winneshiek Energy District is contracted to facilitate this study officially named, ”From Pilot to Prosperity: Economic & Sociocultural Success for the West Union’s community geothermal system.” But, for short it will be known as, “Green Up West Union...Community Energy Opportunities.” Winneshiek Energy District, Energy Planner, Joel Zook is leading the project for the City of West Union. The first phase is data assessment and communication. MEP Engineering & Consulting service will do the technical analysis of the current system and conduct case studies on existing and potential new users.
In addition to the system analysis deep dive, the Green Up West Union team will offer no cost energy assessments for potential users with a focus on energy efficient lighting and solar photo voltaic assessments.
Zook mentions, “During the first quarter of this year-long project we will begin comprehensive analysis of the technical and economic potential of the community geothermal system. Eventually we want to be able tell the community what is the sustainability of the system as is and what it looks like in the case of significant uptake or high participation.” While there are currently eleven users there are nearly 60 downtown buildings with access to the community geothermal loop.
Joleen Jansen will be conducting community outreach for the project, She will be focused on establishing relationships with community members, and learning about the community's geothermal system perceptions. Eventually Jansen will convey information learned in the technical analysis and data collection.
Community Input
The Green UP West Union project has assembled a 10+ community member advisory task force. The task force is composed of city leaders, existing geothermal system users, potential users, and county representatives. The task force will be guideposts for the project team and will importantly serve as necessary local influence for the project's direction.
As the project rolls out over the next year, residents will also be invited to community learning sessions and other opportunities to stay informed.
What does success look like?
Local Economic Prosperity
We all need energy to survive and thrive. When community members spend less on energy costs, they have more for local spending. Reduced energy spending means improved bottom lines, less wealth extraction, and more local wealth retention.
Wise. Local. Clean.
Energy Use
Local clean energy use is smart! Choosing energy efficient measures and free energy sources like the sun and ground costs less and pollutes less. This is a green meets green, win/win formula for West Union.
Model for Other Communities
In 2008, in order to overcome looming economic challenges, the pioneering community of West Union chose to participate in a Green Streets Pilot Project including sustainable downtown street renovation and a one of a kind, city owned, commercially shared geothermal system. Today, West Union serves as a model for similar rural communities for maintaining vitality in the face of declining population growth.
Why West Union?
The old adage “timing is everything” best explains the backstory of West Union’s shared geothermal system. Here are some relevant contributing factors to our unique community owned shared geothermal system.
In 2006 the city of West Union became a Main Street Iowa community. Main Street communities use a community based approach toward downtown revitalization.
In 2007, the West Union City Council began visioning a needed downtown street rehabilitation.
In 2008, the agency which houses Main Street Iowa, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (formerly the Iowa Department of Economic Development) was on the hunt for a community to participate in an integrated streetscape sustainable strategies project.
As a rural Iowa county seat, with a consolidated school district, and a town in the Turkey River Watershed, with contributing downtown stormwater runoff, the city of West Union was a top consideration for the green pilot project.
Why West Union?
The old adage “timing is everything” best explains the backstory of West Union’s shared geothermal system. Here are some relevant contributing factors to our unique community owned shared geothermal system.
In 2006 the city of West Union became a Main Street Iowa community. Main Street communities use a community based approach toward downtown revitalization.
In 2007, the West Union City Council began visioning a needed downtown street rehabilitation.
In 2008, the agency which houses Main Street Iowa, the Iowa Economic Development Authority (formerly the Iowa Department of Economic Development) was on the hunt for a community to participate in an integrated streetscape sustainable strategies project.
As a rural Iowa county seat, with a consolidated school district, and a town in the Turkey River Watershed, with contributing downtown stormwater runoff, the city of West Union was a top consideration for the green pilot project.
Green Streetscape vs. Conventional Street Project Comparison
- Total Project Cost
- Outside Funding
- Streets Rehabilitated
- District Geothermal
- Streetscape
- Civic Plaza
- Bioswales
Green Streetscapes Project Cost
$2.7 Million Cost to West Union
- Total Project Cost $10.2 Million
- Outside Funding $7.5 Million
- Streets Rehabilitated
- District Geothermal
- Streetscape
- Civic Plaza
- Bioswales
Conventional Project Estimate
$4.5 Million Cost to West Union
- Total Project Cost $4.5 Million
- Outside Funding $0
- Streets Rehabilitated
- District Geothermal -
- Streetscape -
- Civic Plaza -
- Bioswales -