A 45-megawatt wind farm is being proposed for Anaconda, according to a report from KXLF-TV. The project would be built on the largest existing Superfund site and, as such, could garner considerable attention. The farm would consist of eight turbines and could generate enough electricity to power some 6,000 homes. According to the report, Anaconda Deer Lodge County, Exergy Integrated Systems, and Northwestern Energy are currently in talks about the project and a decision could be made by late November. Read the full story at www.kxlf.com/news/wind-farm-proposed-in-anaconda-could-make-world-news/.

A new wind farm in Shawmut officially got underway on October 18 with a groundbreaking ceremony that included U.S. Senator Max Baucus. According to a report in the Billings Gazette, the farm will begin producing electricity by the end of the year. The project consists of 14 wind turbines that will produce enough electricity for some 5,000 homes. NorthWestern Energy will purchase the electricity for its customers. Read the full story at http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/shawmut-wind-farm-to-spin-by-year-s-end/article_b69f786c-ba03-5fc3-b6e2-978225b0647f.html

NorthWestern Energy and the Sage Mountain Center will hold a Solar Electric and Small Wind Generation Workshop on October 16 in Ennis. Learn about generation options at the free, two-hour evening session. For more information, contact Chris Borton at 494-9875 or visit the website: www.sagemountain.org/workshops/index.html

Bozeman’s Community Food Co-Op building is home to a new solar water-heating system that will use the sun’s energy to heat water in the facility’s bathrooms, food-preparation areas, and kitchen. According to a report in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the three-panel system will heat the water in an insulated storage tank, which will then flow into an efficient water heater. Solar energy is expected to heat the water as much as 70 percent of the time. Read the full story at http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/article_00cf10e6-0c3f-11e2-b5cd-0019bb2963f4.html

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 14 for the NaturEner Rim Rock Wind Farm near Cut Bank. According to a report from KPAX TV News, hundreds of people joined the celebration, including Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The $400 million, 126-turbine, 189 megawatt wind farm is expected to be “commercially operational” by November. Read the KPAX story at www.kpax.com/news/wind-farm-near-cut-bank-hosts-welcoming-ceremony/.