BILLINGS, Mont., March 22 (UPI) -- A Montana electricity cooperative is seeking application from 40 farmers in the state who want to have a 100 kilowatt windmill installed on their property.
"This is another step in the Green Electricity Buying Cooperative's commitment to kick-starting the renewable energy industry for Montana's farmers and ranchers," GEBCO Board President Pat Doplerm of Red Lodge, Mont., said in a statement Thursday.
Applications are due May 1.
In November, GEBCO received approval to issue $31.7 million in federal zero-interest Clean Renewable Energy Bonds to finance and build two 10 MW wind projects.
The cooperative said it will apply for CREBs authorization to fund its 40 windmills on 40 farms in the second round of funding announced last week by the Internal Revenue Service.
But whether GEBCO can use the current $31.7 million and extend it to the 40 farms is dependent on passage of SB 337, which has passed the Montana Senate. The measure's chief author, Sen. Dave Wanzenried, a Democrat, said it would provide farmers with an additional cash crop; give customers a choice to buy green energy; create more jobs and $31.7 million in wind development in Montana.
GEBCO says a 100 kW turbine can serve about 30 families.
