UM FLAT Opportunities

The UM FLAT or Forum for Living with Appropriate Technology is essentially a University-owned home that has been given to our organization as a resource to demonstrate sustainable living practices. Over time, we hope to develop programs and courses that will serve as educational resources to UM students. One of our objectives is to complete an energy retrofit to the home and expand to offer this type of renovation to other University-owned homes on the same block. If we succeed over time, we will be creating an energy efficient eco-village at The University of Montana.

This past winter we initiated an energy analysis of our main home and we initiated a green renovation to our existing garage. The College of Technology carpentry students and volunteers have contributed to the renovation of our garage into a community demonstration space that will eventually be a resource to the FLAT, the University, and the community.

This fall, we are continuing our garage renovation and hope to be installing an energy monitoring system into our main home. We now have 6 student residents who live onsite. With the garage, we are working with volunteers and the COT carpentry students to construct a strawbale wall, an earthen cob floor, insulated walls, and complete the finish work in the garage.

If you are interested in the UM FLAT, please view our website and promo video at www.umt.edu/umflat. If you wish to get involved or have an idea to develop at UM FLAT please contact Derek Kanwischer at umflat@gmail.com

AERO Seeks Energy Conservation Organizer

The Alternative Energy Resources Council is looking for an AmeriCorps/VISTA member who will serve as an Energy Conservation Organizer. To read the full announcement, click here.

Missoula Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Expo

NorthWestern Energy invites all of its customers in the Missoula area to attend its Home Energy Makeover Expo this Saturday (September 26) at the Missoula Fairgrounds Home Arts Building, 1101 South Avenue West from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more details see http://www.northwesternenergy.com/OurCompany/NewsCenter/displaynews.aspx?Article=6841&item=20

NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) approved the Department of Applied Computing and Electronics at The University of Montana College of Technology as a provider of the Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. According to their website, NABCEP is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. They aim to develop voluntary national certification programs that will promote renewable energy, provide value to practitioners, promote worker safety and skill, and promote consumer confidence.

The University of Montana College of Technology will begin offering the course leading to this exam Spring Semester 2010.

19th Annual EPAC Conference

EPAC (Ethanol Producers and Consumers) will he holding their annual conference at the Gran Tree Hotel in Bozeman on June 29 & 30.

Join key stakeholders from around the world to learn, network, and discuss emerging technologies about biofuels. The day and a half long conference is titled “Fuel, Food and the Future”. One session will expand on the well received discussion on distillers grains (DG) presented at the 2008 conference. Barley will be the focus of one session, and another session will feature biodiesel. Algae, a possible feedstock for the future will be presented and Trevor Nickel of Highmark Renewable Research, Vegreville, Alberta Canada, will speak on a process to recover usable bio gas from manure produced at a feedlot that has a static capacity of 36,000 head of cattle.

For additional info or the agenda please visit:
http://www.ethanolmt.org/
http://www.ethanolmt.org/php/headlines.php?id=22

Volunteer Opportunities @ Montana Biofuels Conference May 11 & 12

On May 11-12, the Western Governors Association will be having a bioenergy conference at the Hilton Garden Inn. Alternative Energy Technologies will be demonstrating and talking about Brian’s USDA BioMax trailer as part of the program.

5-10 UM student representatives are requested to help with greeting, directing, picture taking, session scribes, and pre-session name card placement. Any students that may be interested in attending the conference (no charge) and volunteering to help, please contact Paul Williamson at 532 3227 or Paul.williamson@umontana.edu to discuss times they can volunteer and their interest (business attire). It will be an ideal opportunity for students to learn, observe and network.

A Sunday evening May 10 pizza orientation will take place to get everybody on the same page.

Wind Energy Careers & the Wind Montana Project

The third installment of the“Energizing our Workforce” workshop series will be held Friday and Saturday, May 1 & 2 at Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy's Reservation. This session will feature Peggy Beltron from 25 X 25 America's Energy Future, Wendy Kleinsasser from WindPark Solutions America, and MREA members Jenni & Logan Bryce from Pine Ridge Products, LLC. Saturday will feature a field trip to the Bryce's small scale wind energy company and testing facility.

This series of workshops and field visits provide an overview of emerging energy-related careers in Montana, with a focus towards opportunities in the Northcentral Montana region. These workshops are FREE and OPEN to all. Lunch and transportation to and from site visits are provided.

For the full agenda and list of presenters please visit:

http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/downloads.php

Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project

On Thursday, May 7th at 7 pm the Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project will be holding an informative meeting at the Missoula Public Library. The meeting will discuss the project which is a vision for wild country and sustainable communities in Missoula's backyard: the Big Blackfoot-Clearwater River Valley.

Learn more at www.blackfootclearwater.org

Opportunities in Oilseed & Biodiesel Production in Montana

“Energizing our Workforce” is a series of workshops and field visits that provides an
overview of emerging energy-related careers in Montana, with a focus towards
opportunities in the Northcentral Montana region. These workshops are FREE and
OPEN to all. Lunch and transportation to and from site visits are provided.

The second installment of this series "Opportunities in Oilseed & Biodiesel Production in Montana", will be held April 24th & 25th. Featured speakers will include Al Kurki from National center for Appropriate Technology, Scott Johnson form Sustainable Oils, and Scott Geda from Allied BioEnergies. There will also be a site visit to both the Earl-Fisher Biodiesel Production facility and MSU-Northern's BioEnergy Innovation and Testign Center.

For more informarion or to view the agends please visit:
http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/downloads.php
http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/whatsnew.php

Energizing Our Workshop Series Offered by Stone Child College

During April & May Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy's Reservation will be hosting a workshop series entitled “Energizing our Workforce”. This series of workshops and field visits will provide an overview of emerging energy-related careers in the State of Montana, particularly for the North central Montana region.

Presentations include job opportunities, training resources, preparing for and accessing the training needed for these emerging industries. The workshops focus on having a talented, trained workforce as a key strategy for growing the local economy.

“Energizing our Workforce” is organized by Stone Child College in partnership with Opportunity Link, University of Montana College of Technology in Missoula and paid for in part by a USDOL WIRED grant from the Montana Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Montana Department of Labor.

The meeting is FREE and OPEN to all. Lunch and transportation to and from site visits are also provided.

Renewable and Alternative Energy Careers in Montana
April 17 & 18
Site visit on April 18 to Judith Gap Wind Farm

Opportunities in Oilseeds and Biodiesel Production
April 24 & 25
Site visit on April 25 to Earl-Fisher Biofuels (Chester, MT) and MSU Northern's BioEnergy Innovation and Testing Center

Wind Energy Careers and Wind Montana Project
May 1 & 2

The Future in Solar and Geothermal Energy
May 15 & 16

Educator Training on Energy Development in Montana
May 22 & 23

For more information, call 265-3699. The flyer and full agenda for the first workshop is available at http://www.opportunitylinkmt.org/whatsnew.php

Energizing Our Workforce Workshop April 17 & 18

“Energizing our Workforce” offers a series of workshops and field visits that provides an overview of emerging energy-related careers in Montana, particularly for the North central Montana region.

Presentations include job opportunities, training resources, preparing for and accessing the training needed for these emerging industries. The workshops focus on having a talented, trained workforce as a key strategy for growing the local economy.

“Energizing our Workforce” is organized by Stone Child College in partnership with Opportunity Link, University of Montana College of Technology in Missoula and paid for in part by a USDOL WIRED grant from the Montana Department of Commerce in conjunction with the Montana Department of Labor.

The workshops are FREE and OPEN to all. Lunch and transportation to and from site visits are also provided. For more information, call Sophia Alvarez at (406) 395-4875 ext. 246 or visit www.opportunitylinkmt.org

Garden City Local Fest May 18th

Celebrate the Soul of MisSOULa with the Sustainable Business Council and the Missoula Downtown Association at Caras Park. The festival will be held from 12:30-7:30pm and features LOCAL food, drink, music, art, kid stuff, products, services, in-river kayak show, and Seth Warren on his KAVU Elements Tour.

This is a fun, family-friendly community event aimed at encouraging sustainability and local businesses by providing plenty of entertainment, education and information.

For more information please visit:
http://www.sbcmontana.org/buy-local/gardencitylocalfest.html

Earth Day Events in Missoula

The university is organizing a week long celebration for Earth Day. Events include Green Vehicle Conversion Seminars hosted by Paul Williamson from Alternative Energy Technologies, film festivals, and an Earth Day Celebration sponsored by Missoula Urban Development at Caras Park.

For more details and the full calendar of events please visit:
http://www.umt.edu/greeningUM/earth_week.htm

Montana Businesses: Solutions to Climate Change

Join the Sustainable Business Council on Thursday, April 23rd at 6:30pm at the MCT Theater for the Performing Arts, for an informative event on the future of Montana's Green Economy in a changing climate.

Speakers include Beth Berlin, with Climate Solutions, Amy Cilimburg, of Montana Audubon, and Stephen Handler, from ClearSky Climate Solutions. These speakers and others will present ideas on what individuals and businesses can do to help address climate change. Discussion will range from federal cap and trade policies to how to cut your carbon footprint closer to home - and most importantly, how businesses can engage to make their voices heard.

Earth Day Film Festival

Free and Open to the Public!

Join us on the eve of Earth Day, Tuesday April 21st for a free showing of three powerful films: Kilowatt Ours, Burning the Future, and Grizzly. The three films will run in succession in the University Theater from 3:00 - 6:00 pm and then again from 7:00 - 10:00 pm.

Kilowatt Ours is a documentary by Jeff Barrie that has become a national movement to promote energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy.

Grizzly, narrated by Oscar Award-winning actress, Susan Sarandon, tells the story of two individual grizzly bears living in Yellowstone National Park and documents the lives of ranchers, politicians, researchers and homeowners living in areas surrounding the park.

Burning the Future challenges the notion of "clean coal," documenting the devastating ecological, social, and health impacts of coal mining and mountaintop removal. The film follows the explosive forces that have created conflict between the coal industry and residents of West Virginia, where over 1.4 million acres of mountains have been destroyed and over 1.200 miles of streams obliterated.

MT Campuses Get Grant for Wind Turbines

Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology announced that it has received a $2 million federal grant to implement its wind turbine program and develop wind energy programs at other campuses around the state.

“We’ve been researching wind energy technology and industrial technology for more than a year now,” said Joe Schaffer, interim dean of MSU-Great Falls. “We’ve also been kicking around the idea of a regional program.”

Though MSU-Great Falls was awarded the $1.97 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, they will share it with MSU-Northern in Havre, MSU-Billings College of Technology and Montana Tech in Butte.

Wind turbines will be erected at each of the campuses and curriculum will be developed for a wind energy technical program at each campus. The three-year grant will allow campuses to develop programs and collectively share resources. MSU-Great Falls applied for the grant.

For the full article please visit:

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090121/NEWS01/901210311/1002/news01

Waste Not Montana Conference & Sustainable Living Expo

Billings will be hosting the Waste Not Montana Conference & Sustainable Living Expo April 30-May 3. The Expo is geared towards recycling businesses & small community programs. Training in construction/demolition recycling, marketing & getting maximum value for materials, funding, getting the right equipment, etc.

For more information please visit http://www.headwatersrecycle.com/conference2009/index.htm or contact:

Headwaters Cooperative Recycling, Inc
PO Box 1570
Helena, MT 59624
406-443-3101 voice
877-329-4274- fax

Recycling Training for Construction & Demolition workers

DEQ Recycling is sponsoring a Recycling Training for Construction & Demolition workers.

WHEN: Monday,April 27 from 8:30am-4:30pm

WHERE: Double Tree Hotel, Missoula

Cost: $150.

More info at:

DEQ recycling (http://www.deq.mt.gov/recycle/)

or email Sandra at SBoggs@mt.gov

Blue-Green Alliance meeting

This meeting explores the potential use economic stimulus funds to promote good green jobs in Montana.

WHEN: April 2 (Thurs), 5pm ish (after work)

WHERE: Union Hall, 208 E. Main (below the Union Club in the back conference room).

For more info, contact Dennis Daneke 406-549-8067 . Meetings are first Thurs of each month.

Biomass Energy for Town of Seeley Lake

There will be a presentation at Clearwater Resource Council's monthly meeting regarding alternative energy methods for the Seeley Lake area.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm
WHERE: Seeley Lake Community Hall.

All welcome. For more info, contact Megan at: Megan@crcmt.org

Stimulus May Get Small Wind Turbines Spinning

/technology recently published an article on the possible effect the stimulus package could have on the wind industry. The story highlights are:

• The $787 billion economic stimulus package could boost the "small-wind" industry
  
• The bill provides a 30 percent tax credit to consumers who buy small wind turbines
  
• Unlike huge windmills, small wind turbines are designed for homes and businesses
  
• They're best for rural areas, but there's a movement to install them in cities, too

For the full article please visit: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/09/small.wind.turbines/index.html

PV Design Workshop

High Sun Engineering, the West Coast's leading solar engineering firm, presents an intensive 3-day solar workshop for design professionals on the skills needed to produce high quality PV system designs, feasibility reports, drawings and specifications that are currently in high demand by architectural design teams, engineering firms, developers, and discerning property owners.

Register at www.sunengineer.com. Call Christina Manansala at 707 869 9391 for more information.

Start date:	September 14, 2009
End date:	September 16, 2009
Cost:	$985 gen, $835 stud
Location:	San Francisco, CA

Green Griz Game

The UM Sustainability Center has teamed up with Dining Services, UM Recycling and the Athletic Department to put on a Green basketball game on February 21 at 4:30pm. Volunteers are needed to help out with composting, recycling and educational outreach.
Please contact Jessie Davie at ASUM.Sustain@mso.umt.edu if you can help out!
Come cheer for the Griz and the GREEN.

Mayor's Panel on Sustainability

On Thursday, March 19th a panel will be held featuring Mayor Engen, Former Missoula Mayor Kadas and Former Bozeman Mayor Kirchhoff. This free meeting will allow audience members to hear the opinion of current and past office holders as well as allow for community participation.

Please join us from 5:30-7:00 pm at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts Mezzanine Room (i.e. Missoula Children's Theater). Free

Towards A Green Economy Lecture-April 8th

Described by The New York Times as the "Paul Revere of globalization's woes," Dr. Kevin Danaher's analytical expertise, sense of humor and blunt eloquence make him an exceptionally dynamic speaker.

Since co-founding Global Exchange in 1988, Dr. Danaher has spoken at hundreds of universities and for community organizations throughout the U.S. Please join us as we welcome him Wednesday, April 8th to the North Underground Lecture Hall. The lecture will begin at 7 pm.

HERS Training in Butte

NCAT (National Center for Appropriate Technology) is conducting a workshop April 13-17 in Butte. The workshop incorporates information about how the Energy Star Homes Program is operated both national and locally. This training is to prepare participant's for the tests necessary to become a certified HERS (Home Energy Rater), an Energy Star Homes Northwest Energy Star Verifier, and an Energy Star Homes Northwest Performance Tester. The cost is $1200 for the week and $1100 if payment is received by March 15.

For more information or to register, please contact Dale Horton at daleh@ncat.org or 494-8653. Additional information is posted outside the Applied Computing and Electronics Dept, past the registration desk and down the hall to the left, on the East Campus.

20th Annual Big Sky Career Fair

20th Annual Big Sky Career Fair

2/25/2009 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

The University of Montana - University Center Ballroom

Join us for the 20th Annual Big Sky Career Fair. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with recruiters to find out about full time, internship and summer employment. Learn what to expect and how you can best prepare. Career fairs are a valuable opportunity. This career fair is open to all students and best of all, it's FREE!

Check out more information at
www.umt.edu/career/bscf/bigsky.htm

Construction Workshop

MUD will be be hosting a Cold Frames construction workshop Saturday, February 14th. It will take place from 1-2:30 pm at 839 Turner St. The workshop will cost $10 for MUD members and $20 for non-members. All money collected will benefit MUD and assist in continuing to provide workshops in the Missoula area.

Cold frames are inexpensive, easy to build, and can provide you with fresh produce all winter. Participants will have the chance to take home one of the cold-frames built during this workshop.

Please register for this event ahead of time with kara[at]mudproject.org or call 721-7513. Visit www.mudproject.org for more info.

UM Environmental Action Community

On Wednesday February 11th, the UM Environmental Action Community will meet at 7pm in 202 Rankin Hall. The agenda for this meeting includes: planning campus sustainability projects and recruiting new leaders for the future.

For more info, contact belinda.hays[at]umontana.edu

UM Recycling Committee

For those students interested in promoting recycling on the UM Missoula campuses please consider attending the UM Recycling Committee meetings. They are held at the Environmental Studies conference room in Rankin Hall, the second Wednesday of every month from 12 noon until 2 pm.

All are welcome and should you have any questions please visit the EVST office in Rankin Room 106A.

UM FLAT Meeting Wednesday, January 28

Come join the UM FLAT 'Forum for Living with Appropriate Technology' as we design plans to renovate our property into an energy efficient home for sustainability at UM.

We are meeting at 4:00 Wed, at the FLAT house to tour the property and discuss project ideas for the spring semester. The home is just off the NW corner of campus and 633 5th Street is the spot.

Everyone welcome!

For more information on this project please visit www.umt.edu/umflat or email: umflat@gmail.com

Green Building Seminar Series in Missoula

WHEN: Febraury 4th & February 18th
WHERE: COT East Campus 909 South Ave West
Health and Business Building, Room HB 01
TIME: 6:30 - 9:30 pm


FEB 4TH: A panel presentation entitled "Passive Solar Construction" which will cover patterns and elements of passive solar design and construction. Topics such as the advantages and disadvantages of this technology will be discussed along with lessons learned from years of experience. Experienced professionals from NCAT, Sunset Solar Construction, Riverworks, Loken Builders and Redfield Construction will form the panel. Donny Laughlin, UM COT Carpentry Program Director will moderate.

FEB 18TH: "Small Scale Renewable Energy Applications" will be a panel discussion about the wide variety of small scale renewable energy systems available for the home or small business. Among the technologies to be discussed are solar thermal, solar PV, microhydro and small wind. Installers from Oasis Montana, Solar Plexus, Pine Ridge Products, New Era Plumbling and Sunelco will form the panel. Ashley Preston, the UM COT Energy Tech Program Director, will moderate.

For more information please visit http://www.cte.umt.edu/ or call 243-7812.

Geothermal Power Lecture - Thursday, January 29

What: “Iceland: A Small Powerhouse in the North”
Who: Hlynur Gudjonsson, Icelandic Trade Commissioner for North America
Where: UC330, University of Montana
When: Thursday, January 29th, 6:30-8:30 p.m.


Please join the Office of Senator Tester, the Department of Environmental Studies, and the Energy Technology program for an evening presentation titled "Iceland: A Small Powerhouse in the North".

In Iceland , where much of the world’s geothermal development has taken place, geothermal power plants and infrastructure provide 90% of the country’s energy for space heating and hot water. Five major geothermal power plants produce 18% of the country's electricity. Mr. Gudjonsson, the Icelandic Trade Commissioner for North America, will present the geothermal case of Iceland and the benefits to the Icelandic society. He will discuss the framework of Iceland's energy policy, Iceland's energy resources, power situation, energy intensive industries and new opportunities for Iceland and its energy resources.

Hlynur Gudjonsson is the Consul for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and the Icelandic Trade Commissioner for North America with offices at the Consul General of Iceland in New York. Prior to becoming Consul and Trade Commissioner he was a Brand Manager for a large seafood importer, wholesaler, and manufacturer. He has worked as a strategist and managing director in the areas of marketing, public relation, advertising, and political campaigns. He graduated from Emerson College in Boston, MA with a masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communication and holds a B.A. in Political History from the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. Hlynur is the General Manager for the Icelandic American Chamber of Commerce and is on the board of the Icelandic Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He is the founder and the chairman of the Foreign Trade Commissioner Association in New York.

Sponsored in part by a USDOL WIRED grant from the MT Dept. of Commerce in conjunction with the MT Dept. of Labor

Eco-Film Screening

National Geographic's Human Footprint Film will be shown at 7:00pm on Friday, November 14th at the Open Way Mindfulness Center, 702 Brooks. This great documentary about human consumption and what that looks like is sponsored by Earth Folk. Admission is free.

Sustainable Energy for Montana

Pat Judge of MEIC shows how Montana can become clean-energy-self-sufficient with wind, solar and megawatt plants.
WHEN: 3:40-5pm on Tuesday, November 18th
WHERE: UM's Social Science room 352.
ALL WELCOME.

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project Meeting

The Clearwater Resource Council, Pyramid Mountain Lumber, and the Blackfoot Challenge invite you to join us for a discussion about the future of the Blackfoot-Clearwater Watershed.
Please come to learn and show your support for the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project. The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project will protect our homes, our jobs, and our heritage by making investments in the mill, enabling the Forest Service to better manage our forests, and maintaining our backcountry traditions.

Staff members representing Sen. Max Baucus, Sen. Jon Tester, and Rep. Denny Rehberg have been invited to participate in this community dialogue.
WHEN: Thursday, November 13 at 7pm

WHERE: Seeley Lake Community Hall
For more information, visit www.blackfootclearwater.org or call Megan Birzell at 677-0069.
Megan Birzell, Project and Development Administrator, Clearwater Resource Council
PO Box 1471, Seeley Lake, MT 59868 www.crcmt.org

Sustainable Transportation for Missoula

Bob Giordano (MIST) and Nancy Wilson (ASUM Transportation) show how to get around Missoula without burning up the planet.
WHEN: 3:40-5pm on Thursday, November 13th
WHERE: UM's Social Science room 352.
All Welcome.

Protecting Montana's Resources Lecture

Director of MT Dept of Env. Quality to speak at UM
DEQ director Richard Opper will speak on -- DEQ: Protecting Montana's Resources
WHEN: Nov 12, 5:10-6:00 pm
WHERE: Skaggs Building 169
Hosted by UMs AWMA Student Chapter. UM students interested in waste management are encouraged to join the student chapter.

Building Integrated Conservation Education and Practice

Steve Siebert, UM Forestry, speaks on "Building Integrated Conservation Education and Practice"
WHEN: Noon-1:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12th
WHERE: UM's tired Old Journalism 303

DOL to Hold Energy Conservation Code Meeting

The Department of Labor & Industry, Building Codes Bureau will be holding a meeting of interested parties and stakeholders on the subject of the adoption of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The purpose of this meeting will be to have a discussion on the merits of adopting the 2009 IECC, starting in late winter, early spring of 2009 with a final adoption date sometime summer of 2009, versus continue the drafting of the adoption of the 2006 IECC with expected final adoption in late spring of 2009.

The meeting date is November 6^th, at Jorgenson’s Inn & Suites, (406-442-1770) 1714 11^th Avenue, Helena in the Big Sky Room, starting at 1PM.

If you have further questions please contact:

David W. Cook, Bureau Chief

Building Codes Bureau

Department of Labor and Industry

406-841-2053

dcook@mt.gov

Get Involved with the UMFLAT Project

Help design the UM FLAT sustainable home! There will be an informational presentation about how the project has evolved and a discussion about how you can become involved in the design and retrofit of the future home for the UM FLAT organization. The event will be Wednesday Oct 27^th in UC room 207 at 4:00. For more information check out the FLAT online: www.umt.edu/umflat or email umflat@gmail.com