More rural schools getting wind turbines

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Aug 20, 2008 at 8:01 AM MST

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2008 at 8:01 AM MST

HELENA - Four schools in Montana have qualified for a U.S. Department of Energy wind education program.

Schools in Cascade, Fairfield, Stanford and Livingston will build 45-foot-tall wind turbines on school property and offer coursework based on wind energy and technology.

Montana was one of six states selected by the Department of Energy to participate in the first-ever Wind for Schools program, according to Gov. Brian Schweitzer's office. Also chosen to participate were Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, South Dakota and Nebraska.

Sean Micken is Wind for Schools coordinator at the consulting firm Western Communities Energy. He says the wind turbines only produce enough energy to power one-half or potentially two-thirds of an average home, so their overall savings to a school will be maybe a few hundred dollars off their energy bills each year.

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