Harvesting Conference V Agenda

5th Annual HARVESTING CLEAN ENERGY Conference
Heritage Inn, Great Halls MT

in coordination with Montana Agricultural & Industrial Exposition (MAGIE)

featuring hands-on Renewable Energy Exhibits (organized by MREA/NCAT),
and a biodiesel-powered bus to shuttle between the HCE Conference and MAGIE on Thursday

7:00 – 8:30am REGISTER and VISIT RENEWABLE ENERGY EXHIBITS
At the Renewable Energy Exhibits, talk with clean energy vendors, associations and educational groups, and view amazing technology demonstrations!

8:30 – 9:30am OPENING PLENARY

Overview: Kathy Hadley, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Welcome: Peggy Beltrone (1168KB), Cascade County Commissioner; Randy Gray, Mayor of Great Falls; Shawn Fladager, Montana Agricultural & Industrial Exposition

Keynote Speaker: David Morris, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, “How Harvesting Clean Energy Can Strengthen Rural Economies and Help America Reach Energy Independence”

9:30 – 10:30am PANEL DISCUSSION

Local Ownership Models: Keeping More Economic Value in the Community
Moderator: Cheryl MacArthur, Montana Cooperative Development Center

Private developers, working with local landowners and authorities, have proven they can make clean energy production profitable. Increasingly, farmers and local communities are teaming up to own projects together, retaining locally even more of the value of their renewable resources. Hear about the pioneers of local ownership models.
· Bruce Anderson (1534KB), RENew Northfield – Energy self-sufficiency through community ownership
· Don Marble, Liberty County Commissioner – Community-owned renewable energy projects
· Mark Willers, MinWind – Farmer ownership of utility-scale wind projects

11:00 – Noon PANEL DISCUSSION

Working with the Utility: Interconnection, Net Metering & Power Purchase Agreements
Moderator: Dave Ryan, National Center for Appropriate Technology

Working with the local utility is central to most clean electricity projects. Hear utility leaders explain how you can effectively work with them to bring clean energy on line.
· Jason Bronec, Glacier Electric Cooperative – Consumer-owned utility perspective
· John Campbell, Northwestern Energy – Investor-owned utility perspective
· Ed Weber (581KB), Western Area Power Administration – Regional interconnection issues

Noon – 4:00pm Visit the MONTANA AGRICULTURAL & INDUSTRIAL EXPO
Grab your box lunch and ride the Biodiesel Bus to the Expo!

4:00 – 6:00pm PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
Experts and farmers with direct experience developing clean energy projects will walk you through a checklist of steps, from feasibility assessment and accessing support to securing markets for your power and co-products.

TRACK 1: Hosting Wind Farms
Moderator: Steve Palomo, US Department of Energy

Understand what it takes for agricultural producers, tribes and other rural landowners to benefit from commercial wind power production.
· Larry Flowers (1158KB), National Renewable Energy Lab – Landowner and community economic benefits
· Bob Quinn (254KB), WindPark Solutions America – What attracts developers, and what landowners need to know when approached
· Sam Panarella (648KB), Stoel Rives LLP – Key provisions of wind energy land agreements
· David Kirkpatrick (166KB), GE Wind Energy – Key steps during development, construction and operation

TRACK 2: Fuels for Schools and Commerce: Converting Wood Waste into Biopower
Moderator: Howard Haines, Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Learn how to start a “Fuels for Schools” program where farmers and small woodlot owners provide sustainable fuel for local schools while reducing fire hazards, saving school districts money, and providing new learning opportunities for students. Learn about available funds and see how this program is working in Northwest states.
· Dave Atkins (397KB), US Forest Service – What is the program, links for heat and power, and who to contact for possible funding
· Dean Graham (1089KB), US Forest Service – Technical and funding resources, and other options for wood waste
· Christopher Allen (966KB), Christopher Allen & Associates – Areas with high wood resource potential and needs
· Dan Stevenson (1697KB), CTA Architects Engineers – What makes a good project, selecting the right school, and possible commercial applications

6:00pm DINNER and RECEPTION (sponsored by Stoel Rives LLP)
Keynote Speaker: Richard Opper, Director, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, “Montana’s Renewable Energy Future”

9:00 – 9:45am OPENING PLENARY

Welcome: Brooks Dailey, Montana Farmers Union

Can Congress Help?: Hear how Montana’s Congressional leaders are supporting rural clean energy production, including Sen. Max Baucus, Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Denny Rehberg.

Keynote Speaker: Ralph Groschen (726KB), Minnesota Department of Agriculture, “Ethanol and Biodiesel Facilities: Built by Local Farmers to Use Local Crops”

10:00 – Noon PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS
Experts and farmers with direct experience developing clean energy projects will walk you through a checklist of steps, from feasibility assessment and accessing support to securing markets for your power and co-products.

TRACK 1: Biodiesel and Ethanol Production
Moderator: Richard Owen, Montana Grain Growers Association

Biofuel refineries that produce biodiesel or ethanol, along with biolubricants and other valuable co-products, represent new markets for Northwest agricultural feedstocks. Learn what we need to do build a regional biofuels industry.
· Chengci Chen (958KB), MSU Central Agricultural Research Center – Ethanol production from biomass
· Ralph Groschen, Minnesota Department of Agriculture – Ethanol production from grain
· Duane Johnson (868KB), MSU Northwestern Agricultural Research Center – Future crops for biodiesel and biolubricants
· Paul Miller (170KB), Sustainable Systems – Economics of producing biodiesel and co-products in Montana

TRACK 2: Small-Scale Renewable Energy for the Farm, Ranch or Home
Moderator: Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology

The National Center for Appropriate Technology introduces you to farmers and ranchers who have increased profitability through energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, including small-scale wind and solar power.
· Corky Brittan, Rancher – Putting together small-scale wind systems in Montana
· MaryAnna Espeland (1427KB), Rancher – Solar stock watering systems, how they work and lessons learned
· Peter Wipf (332KB), Martinsdale Colony – Installing turbines for net-metering and power sales
· Ken Neely (4140KB), Idaho Energy Division – Current and future uses of geothermal energy

TRACK 3: Tribal Renewable Energy
Moderator: Bob Gough (6328KB), Intertribal Council on Utility Policy

Tribes throughout North America are turning to renewable energy to help meet community needs and provide new economic enterprises. Hear from Native American leaders who are working to help tribes develop renewable energy in accordance with their values.
· William Big Bull (3017KB), Wind Power Coordinator, Peigan Indian Utility Corporation
· Mike Lawson, Director, Northern Arapaho Business Development Corporation
· Joe Little Coyote, Economic Development Planner, Northern Cheyenne Tribe

Noon – 2:00pm LUNCH AND PLENARY PANEL

Show Me the Money: Assembling Federal, State and Local Funding for Your Project
Moderator: Jake Cummins, Executive Vice-President, Montana Farm Bureau

Rural clean energy projects are eligible for grants and loans from a number of public sources, as well as from “green tags” and pollution mitigation payments. Find out what’s available, what’s realistic for your project, and where to go for help.
· John Guthmiller (206KB), USDA Rural Business-Coop Services – Federal Farm Bill programs
· Van Jamison (184KB), Montana Wind Working Group – Financing with “Green Tag” sales
· Kathi Montgomery, Montana DEQ – State tax credits, loans and Universal Systems Benefit funds

2:00 – 3:30pm PARTICIPATORY DISCUSSION

Fueling Rural Prosperity Through State & Federal Policies: What Have We Learned, What’s On the Table?
Moderator: Peggy Beltrone, Cascade County Commissioner

What state and federal policies have proven most effective in fostering rural clean energy development? How effective has the new Energy Title of the federal Farm Bill been? What policies are under consideration in Montana’s legislature, and throughout the region?
· Ann Gravatt, Renewable Northwest Project – Best state policies in the region, and around the country
· Allen Grosboll, Environmental Law & Policy Center – Implementing and enhancing policies in the Farm Bill’s Energy Title programs
· Brooks Dailey, Montana Farmers Union – Clean energy legislation for Montana
· Gerald Talbert (57KB), Ag Energy Work Group – Overview of the national Ag Energy Work Group and 25 X 25 Project