May Newsletter
'Whirlwind' Bus Tour Explores Potential of Wind, Biofuels
About 30 people from across Montana participated May 1-3 in a bus tour aimed at exploring the potential economic, national security, and environmental opportunities that the wind and biofuel industries have to offer Montana farmers and ranchers.
The three-day tour began and ended at the State Capitol and was hosted by Secretary of State Bob Brown. The bus was fueled with a soy-based biodiesel donated by Story Distributing of Bozeman and the National Biodiesel Board.
"The development of wind and biofuel energy offers an intriguing new economic opportunity for our rural and agricultural communities," said Brown, who became interested in energy alternatives as a member of the State Land Board. "We rank fifth in the nation for wind-energy potential, and we have a climate and land base ideal for the cultivation of oilseeds such as rapeseed, canola, and safflower. Our rural residents deserve to benefit economically from the development of these resources. This tour will explore how we can make that happen."
Highlights of the tour included a stop in Bozeman for a presentation on oilseeds by Dr. Charles Flynn, a research chemist with Montana State University's agricultural research station in Sidney. He noted that canola and safflower are the most common oil grains grown in Montana, with the climate more suitable in western Montana for the former and in eastern Montana for the latter. He said years of research have boosted oil content, reduced production costs and refined growing techniques. He also discussed the oil potential of sunflower, crambe, and mustard.
The group also stopped in Yellowstone National Park for a tour of the vehicle maintenance garage by park employee Jim Evanoff. He noted that all of the park's 789 vehicles run on a blend of either ethanol and gasoline or biodiesel and regular diesel. He also gave participants a chance to see what 100 percent biodiesel smells like in his "Truck in the Park" pickup, the first alternate-fueled vehicle in the world's first national park.
The most visually impressive stop of the tour was in southeastern Wyoming, where 183 wind turbines stretch across a remote, treeless plateau. The Foote Creek Wind Production Facility began operation on Earth Day, April 22, 1999 and is the first commercial wind facility in Wyoming. It was built by SeaWest Wind Power Inc. and Tomen Power Corp., both based in San Diego.
Dave Kelley, project manager for SeaWest, led a tour of the facility, which he said has an output of 135 megawatts. Bonneville Power Administration and PacifiCorp use most of the power.
Aboard the bus, participants also heard presentations by:
- Paul Miller, of Missoula-based Montana Biodiesel, who noted that the
new federal Farm Bill offers incentives to both growers and refiners
of oil-based fuels;
- Shirley Ball, president of the Ethanol Producers and Consumers Association,
who discussed how ethanol and biodiesel can work together;
- Terry Goerger, a North Dakota oilseed producer representing the National
Biodiesel Board, who talked about the use, costs and potential of biodiesel;
- Howard Haines, a bioenergy engineering specialist with the state
Department of Environmental Quality, who discussed the potential challenges
of using biofuels; and
- Larry Flowers, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado, who noted that policy uncertainty and transmission access are two key issues that need to be addressed if wind is to be a viable source of energy in Montana.
The tour was sponsored by the Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana State University, Northwest Power Planning Council, Secretary of State's Office, and University of Montana.
Participants included farmers and ranchers, local economic development
leaders, county commissioners, and state legislators.