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.