Local Earth Day events have a green focus

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead Valley citizens can partake in a number of Earth Day activities, starting with a free showing of the film "Fuel" and exhibits today at Flathead Valley Community College.

"Fuel," a documentary that gives an overview of America's troubled relationship with oil and how alternative and sustainable energy sources can reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels, will be shown at 1:30 and 6 p.m. at the FVCC Arts & Technology building. There's no charge.

Earth Day exhibits will be set up from 3 to 6 p.m.; there will be music, food and activities for children.

On Thursday, Citizens for a Better Flathead is sponsoring a full-day conference, "Repowering the Flathead for a New Energy Economy."

It runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the FVCC Arts & Technology building. Sessions are free, but lunch costs $15 and requires preregistration by calling 756-8993 or by going online to www.flatheadcitizens.org.

Two concurrent morning workshops focus on designing energy-efficient subdivisions and harvesting clean energy in the Flathead, with a focus on growers. Other morning sessions are "Energy 101: Essential Knowledge in a New Energy Economy" and "Bringing the Green Recovery Home."

A panel discussion during the lunch hour looks at repowering the Flathead.

Concurrent afternoon sessions include "Energy Policy for a New Energy Economy," and "Energy Efficiency: How Your Business Can Take Advantage of the Savings."

To view the full agenda, visit www.fvcc.edu and click on news and events.

A green-building tour is planned from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Preregistration is required and the fee is $15; call 756-8993 or e-mail citizens@flatheadcitizens.org. Lunch is available for $7 or bring a sack lunch. The group meets at the FVCC main entrance parking lot and will tour a half-dozen homes and projects with a guided bus tour.