Increasing awareness of Montana’s wind energy resources have prompted many landowners to question whether or not they might have the ability to participate in the wind industry.  Landowners will have an opportunity to learn more about wind energy in coming weeks.  MSU Extension Regional Economic Development Coordinator, Sarah Hamlen, will present an electronic broadcast on January 9, 2008.  Sponsored by MSU Extension, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, and the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D, this workshop will focus on wind energy opportunities from a landowner’s perspective.

Potential opportunities for landowners range from installing small wind turbines on stock tanks or irrigation pumps to large scale wind development. 

“The recent national focus on alternative energy has escalated the interest in wind energy in Montana,” says Hamlen.  “This workshop is designed to help landowners understand the various types of wind generation and to understand the potential risks and rewards of large scale development, if their property is likely to attract commercial wind developers.”

The workshop is free, open to the public, and landowners are encouraged to attend.  No advanced registration is required.  The workshop will broadcast locally through the County Extension office.  Please contact your local Extension agent for detailed information regarding the location.  The broadcast will begin at 7 pm on January 9.

For further information about these workshops, please contact Sarah Hamlen at 406-209-7679 or email at shamlen@montana.edu.