Ezzie’s Wholesale in Havre recently held a special celebration as it began selling biodiesel made with locally grown camelina. According to a report in the Havre Daily News, the B5 blend is a petroleum diesel mixed with 5-percent biodiesel, produced with camelina from Earl Fischer Biofuels in Chester. In conjunction with the launch, more than 60 local diesel technicians received special biodiesel training. Read the full story at http://www.havredailynews.com/news/story-435165.html.

Helena-based Career Training Institute has established a new loan program to help moderate-income Montanans pay for home weatherization measures. According to a report in the Independent Record, the Home Energy Fitness Program was launched with $80,000 in seed money from the Montana Attorney’s Office. The funds will be used to leverage low-interest loans to help qualified Montana homeowners undertake costly weatherization efforts, such as replacing windows or increasing insulation levels. To learn more about the project and its requirements, read the full story at http://helenair.com/news/local/cti-launches-loan-program/article_96886d02-61d7-11e1-a216-0019bb2963f4.html

Joe and Wendi Arnold will soon begin production of artisanal cheese at their new factory in Polson. The factory is powered by solar energy-the first U.S. cheese factory to do so, according to a report in the Missoulian. While there is a backup propane boiler, the goal is for solar to provide as much of the plant’s energy needs as possible. And, to further increase sustainability, most items in the plant are reused or recycled products.
Read the full story at http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/polson-couple-starting-solar-powered-artisanal-cheese-factory/article_4b10789a-5c48-11e1-b129-0019bb2963f4.html.

Stoltze Land and Lumber of Columbia Falls is moving forward with plans to install a biomass boiler and sell the generated electricity to Flathead Electric Co-op. The two companies recently signed a 20-year agreement, which begins in 2013, in which the co-op will purchase up to 2.5 megawatts of power at 9 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to a report by Hungry Horse News. The co-op will receive Renewable Energy Credits as a result of the purchase. The project’s engineering and design was carried out through a $190,720 Woody Biomass Utilization grant awarded last June. Read the full story at www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/hungryhorsenews/article_2683b66c-5267-11e1-8f28-0019bb2963f4.html.

The Midway Mini Mart in Kalispell is home to a newly installed renewable energy system. The hybrid system is comprised of both a 40-panel solar array and a wind turbine. According to a report in the Daily Inter Lake, owners Dan and Melody Scheffer received a grant from the Rural Energy for America Program, which paid for more than half of the $155,000 system. The system is expected to generate about 20 percent of the store’s energy needs. The wind turbine is said to be the first commercial turbine in the Flathead Valley. Read the full story at www.cspnet.com/news/technology/articles/big-sky-country.