By Tim Leeds/Havre Daily News/tleeds@havredailynews.com
A workshop to tell north-central Montanans about the benefits of wind turbines is scheduled for Wednesday.
The organizers have a backup plan in case the main presenters get snowed in at Billings or Glasgow.
Timlynn Babitsky of the North American Rural Futures Institute in Havre, a sponsor of the Montana workshop's four-city tour, said the workshop is for people interested in using alternative energy to reduce their electric bill or starting their own alternative energy business.
"Anyone who is interested can come to the workshop and ask questions about their specific needs," she said. "This a real good opportunity to just come and ask your questions."
By late last week, about 30 people had confirmed they would attend the Havre workshop.
The 2002 Farm Bill provided money to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses install and use alternative energy like wind turbines and solar power.
The tour will begin Tuesday in Billings and Glasgow and travel to Havre and Great Falls on Wednesday.
Secretary of State Bob Brown is scheduled to introduce the workshop at each location. The speakers are Larry Powers of the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America program, Lisa Daniels of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit company Windustry, and John Guthmiller of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Babitsky said Van Jamison, a consultant from Helena and a member of the Montana Wind Working Group, also will attend the Havre workshop. If the main presenters are unable to make it to Havre because of bad weather, Van Jamison will make their presentations, she said.
Jamison presented information about alternative energy at an ag expo in Havre last fall.
The Havre program is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in the Hill County Electric Cooperative hospitality room.
