Montana

Another year of sustainability: Montana's annual Clean Energy Fair

Published

1 year ago

August 24, 2024

Another year of sustainability: Montana's annual Clean Energy Fair

BILLINGS — The Montana Renewable Energy Association (MREA)works every day to ensure that the state is as clean and sustainable as can be. That’s why this Saturday, they hosted their annual clean energy fair to help reach out to the public, to inform them on some of these organizations that are working to make Montana a cleaner, and greener state.

Mack Carmack, MTN News

Montana Clean Energy Fair 2024

2024 marks 13 years of the Clean Energy Fair.

“Who would have thought Billings would lead sustainability within the state of Montana,” says Glenn Foy.

Foy works with the City of Billings, as the Chair for the Energy and Conservation Commission.

What seems like a fun Saturday activity, is actually about education, informing the public on some of the special things Montana is doing to be more sustainable.

“I think renewable energy as a resource is becoming a mainstay, definitely nation-wide, but we’re certainly seeing that in Montana. So, again, we want to empower people with the tools to make the right choice for them,” says Makenna Sellers, the Executive Director of the MREA.

The MREA hosts the fair each year, along with vendors from different local organizations and the City of Billings.

Makenna Sellers, MREA Executive Director

This is the second year that the fair has been in Billings, allowing the city to introduce some of their initiatives and plans to the public.

“I like that we’re bringing that diversity to the state and providing a good, diverse energy mix for the state of Montana,” says Sellers.

This year, the City of Billings showed off some of their new strategies to be sustainable and save money.

Their “Methane Capture” plan has already earned the city five million dollars.

“So, it’s an excellent example of the city having sustainable footprint, as well as saving money,” said Foy.

The plan is to capture the methane that comes from Billings landfills, and recycle it for trash trucks to run on.

“What’s more important is that, as part of that relationship, the city received almost five million dollars in terms of royalties associated with that effort from MDU (Montana-Dakota Utilities,” according to Foy.

The city also has another plan to use the West End of he city to drain water uphill. Currently, water is being pumped uphill, which uses a lot of energy.

Foy said, “There were so many great things that were ongoing in the city, relative to sustainability.”

The fair gave residents the opportunity to learn about some of the city’s plan for efficiency (an electric school bus, solar panels in schools), but also ways to make their lives more energy costly, like a compost pile or how to electrify homes at an affordable rate.

“If they want to integrate renewables to their house or to their business, or just looking on more ways to save electricity, come up with some ways to see efficiency measures, we want to empower people with ways to get connected, to make that happen,” said Sellers.

Source link

Related Topics:billings Clean Energy clean energy fair Energy environment Featured Montana montana renewable energy association sustainability

Click to comment

Montana

Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick earns second straight Big Sky Conference weekly honor

Published

4 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Montana State’s Taylee Chirrick earns second straight Big Sky Conference weekly honor

BOZEMAN — For the second consecutive week, Montana State sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick has been named Big Sky Conference player of the week, the league office announced Tuesday.

The 5-foot-11 product of Roberts scored the game-winning basket with 1.7 seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to a 71-70 upset of Big 12 member Colorado on Sunday afternoon at the CU Events Center. Chirrick finished the contest with 21 points, which included a 7-for-7 effort at the free throw line.

Chirrick once again stuffed the stat sheet, pulling down a team-best six rebounds, while adding four steals, three assists and a pair of 3-pointers in the victory.

Chirrick is currently ranked third in the nation averaging 4.5 steals per game, and her 27 total steals rank 14th overall. Her 19.8 points per game rank second in the Big Sky and 28th in the nation.

Montana State opens the Big Sky Conference/Summit League Challenge on Wednesday at North Dakota State in Fargo. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. (MT) in the Scheels Center. The game will air live on the CBS Sports Network.

Source link

Montana

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Photos: Montana State clips Illinois State to win national championship

Montana State plays Illinois State in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.Justin Hosa / MTN Sports

Montana State topped Illinois State 35-34 in overtime to claim their first National Championship since 1984.TOM WYLIE/MTN Sports

Montana State plays Illinois State in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.Kyle Hansen / MTN Sports

Source link

Montana

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Montana State squares off with Illinois State Monday night in the FCS national championship game at FirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

The Bobcats are making their third trip to the title game in the past five seasons under coach Brent Vigen. The program is seeking its first championship since 1984.

MTN Sports has been on the ground in Nashville for the past five days covering the lead-up to the game, including the pregame show “Bobcat Built: Montana State’s Championship Quest” hosted by Scott Breen and Kyle Hansen.

In it the MTN staff provides game previews, features, facts and figures and sights and sounds from the past several days in Music City in the run-up to the game. To watch, see the video reel below.

Watch: Bobcat Built – Montana State’s Championship Quest

Bobcat Built: Montana State’s Championship Quest

Source link