Local energy projects work in the spotlight at Thursday discussion
On Thursday, April 21, business leaders and experts from the Flathead Valley and beyond will come together to discuss local energy projects.
The discussion will include recent developments in biomass, biofuels, geothermal, hydropower and transmission infrastructure.
Repowering the Flathead and The Policy Institute are co-hosting the panel discussion, “Repowering the Flathead: Moving Toward Energy Independence,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Arts and Technology Building, Room 139, at Flathead Valley Community College.
The session is free and open to the public. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers after presentations by the following speakers:
n Ken Sugden, general manager, Flathead Electric Cooperative Inc.
n Paul McKenzie, lands and resource manager, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.
n Ken Toole, former vice chairman of the Montana Public Service Commission and president of The Policy Institute
n Jim Coolidge, plant manager, Clearwater Biologicals Inc.
Clearwater Biologicals established its processing plant in Kalispell to convert camelina and canola seed into higher-value products such as protein, oil, nutraceuticals, biofuels and biolubricants.
Stoltze has been on the front line of the effort to bring a viable biomass utilization project to the Flathead Valley.
Flathead Electric Cooperative continues to explore new ways to meet its growing demand for electricity in innovative ways with programs like the landfill gas-to-energy project.
“The way we use, produce, and transport electricity is changing dramatically across the West and the country,” saysc Toole, former Public Service commissioner and current President of The Policy Institute.
“Montana, from renewable energy to smart grid to new transmission projects, is a critical player in the transition to a new energy economy. Whether or not the Flathead and Montana participates in this new economy will depend greatly on whether state and federal policies put new, innovative clean energy on a level playing field with old fossil fuel energy.”