Wind for Schools Program Seeks Financial Support
The Department of Energy has selected Montana as one of five states to participate in the inaugural year of the Wind
for Schools Program. Wind for Schools is an educational effort to engage rural America in a discussion of wind
energy while encouraging the growth of a knowledge and skill base for development of the wind industry.
While the Program has received a three-year commitment from DOE to fund curriculum development and the
establishment of a Wind Applications Center (WAC) at MSU-Bozeman, additional resources must be secured to
meet the goal of installing a small wind energy system at each of five Montana Host Schools: Cascade, Fairfield,
Stanford, Livingston, and one school yet to be selected in Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) service territory.
The Wind for Schools Program has sought the financial support of NorthWestern Energy's Universal System
Benefits (USB) Renewable Energy fund in the utility's bi-annual grant review in Fall '07. NorthWestern Energy has
declined to commit to funding the Program at this time, siting poor project cost effectiveness and lack of information
regarding local support and Program longevity as main concerns.
Wind for Schools Montana is now turning to the general public for financial and in-kind contributions to get the
Program going. Businesses, individuals, government offices, and NGOs are encouraged to show their support for
energy education and rural economic development by becoming a Bronze ($1,000), Silver ($2,500), Gold ($10,000),
or Platinum ($20,000) Sponsor of Wind for Schools Montana. In-kind contributions are needed in the form of
necessary project labor or materials such as electrical wire and equipment, concrete, and crane/excavator time.
Each project will cost $12,500 to $15,000 to implement. All contributions are tax -deductible, and will earn
recognition in regional media and on a permanent plaque to be placed at each Host School.
Thank you for your time and for your help in spreading the word about Wind for Schools Montana. For more
information, or to discuss Program sponsorship, please contact State Facilitator Sean Micken at (406) 581-8460, or
smicken@westerncommunityenergy.com.
The Department of Energy has selected Montana as one of five states to participate in the inaugural year of the Wind
for Schools Program. Wind for Schools is an educational effort to engage rural America in a discussion of wind
energy while encouraging the growth of a knowledge and skill base for development of the wind industry.
While the Program has received a three-year commitment from DOE to fund curriculum development and the
establishment of a Wind Applications Center (WAC) at MSU-Bozeman, additional resources must be secured to
meet the goal of installing a small wind energy system at each of five Montana Host Schools: Cascade, Fairfield,
Stanford, Livingston, and one school yet to be selected in Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) service territory.
The Wind for Schools Program has sought the financial support of NorthWestern Energy's Universal System
Benefits (USB) Renewable Energy fund in the utility's bi-annual grant review in Fall '07. NorthWestern Energy has
declined to commit to funding the Program at this time, siting poor project cost effectiveness and lack of information
regarding local support and Program longevity as main concerns.
Wind for Schools Montana is now turning to the general public for financial and in-kind contributions to get the
Program going. Businesses, individuals, government offices, and NGOs are encouraged to show their support for
energy education and rural economic development by becoming a Bronze ($1,000), Silver ($2,500), Gold ($10,000),
or Platinum ($20,000) Sponsor of Wind for Schools Montana. In-kind contributions are needed in the form of
necessary project labor or materials such as electrical wire and equipment, concrete, and crane/excavator time.
Each project will cost $12,500 to $15,000 to implement. All contributions are tax -deductible, and will earn
recognition in regional media and on a permanent plaque to be placed at each Host School.
Thank you for your time and for your help in spreading the word about Wind for Schools Montana. For more
information, or to discuss Program sponsorship, please contact State Facilitator Sean Micken at (406) 581-8460, or
smicken@westerncommunityenergy.com.
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