news

MSEV One Time Registration
The Student Advocates for Valuing the Environment (S.A.V.E.) Foundation supports Senate Bill 73, sponsored by Senator Hawks of Bozeman, which is a new electric vehicle bill that seeks to modify the definition of a Medium Speed Electric Vehicle (MSEV). SB 73 ensures owners will pay a one time registration fee of $87.50, rather than an annual registration fee each year. Similar to street legal quads and motorcycles, which already have similar one-time registration fees, medium speed electric vehicles are specialized vehicles with limited use, as they cannot go on the highway. The bill also proposes to increase the legal Gross Vehicle Weight Rating from 3000 lbs to 5000 lbs. The new proposed bill had its first hearing this past week in front of the Highways and Transportation committee and passed 8-0 and included testimony from S.A.V.E., EcoAuto, MontPIRG, Montana's Department of Justice, and a resident of Bozeman who uses her MSEV for her daily commute into Bozeman.

Plastics update
S.A.V.E. kicked off the new year with another successful Plastics Recycling Drive! We were able to recycle 3800 pounds of plastics from January 2-5th! This year, S.A.V.E. will be holding a Plastics Recycling Drive every other month, with the next event March 6-9th. For more information on plastic recycling or to request a recycling schedule for the year visit Savemobile.org or give us a call at 449.6008 and we will mail you one.

Electric Vehicle for the Week
In conjunction with recent legislation, S.A.V.E. will be driving around a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle for the week. The MILES electric vehicle, which comfortably fits four people, with room in the trunk, runs on six 12 volt batteries, windshield wiper fluid, and a separate battery for the radio and headlights. There is no oil or complicated components, which also cuts down on maintenance of the vehicle. The battery powered engine also means the car starts and heats up much faster in the winter. These batteries can power the car for 40 to 60 miles on a full charge. The full charge takes about 7 to 8 hours. The battery pack needs to be replaced about every 25,000 miles or about every four years. The car is charged by using the outlet on the side of the car to plug into any standard 110V outlet. The car is even equipped with studded snow tires and a battery warmer, perfect for Montana winter conditions! For more information visit http://www.savemobile.org/nev.july29.html

Harvesting Clean Energy
S.A.V.E. will be attending the 9th annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference, January 25-27 held in Billings this year. The conference charts the future of rural clean energy in the Northwest. Discussions focus on the steps to successful project development, including financing, to cut costs on the farm and produce power or feedstocks for market. Technologies covered include wind power, biofuels, biopower, geothermal, solar, and energy efficiency. S.A.V.E. will be coordinating the recycling for this event and will also plan on displaying a gray water system and advocating the electric vehicle at this event.

Repowering Montana Schools
This week, January 14-15, S.A.V.E. will also be recycling at the Repowering Montana Energy Summit at the Colonial Inn here in Helena. The conference is designed for K-12 superintendents, maintenance supervisors, and school boards. Contact School Administrator's Association, www.sammt.org for registration and agenda.

S.A.V.E. invites you to the Fourth Annual Helena Ice Bowl
The Sleeping Giant Disc Golf Alliance presents the Fourth Annual Helena Ice Bowl Charity Disc Golf Challenge this Saturday, January 17th. Proceeds from this event will be going towards The S.A.V.E. Foundation and Food Share. To register be at the Norwegian Wood Ranch by 9:00am on the 17th. To get to the ranch, follow Canyon Ferry Road 20 miles out of Helena. Costs for this charity event are as follows: Masters $35, Open $35, Advanced Amateur $30, Amateur $25, and Kids are $10. All amateur divisions will receive a commemorative disc, and all divisions will receive hot lunch. To raise money, there will be a $5 fee for mulligan shots, and feel free to bring in canned food for Food Share to receive $5 off of the entry fee. Contact Jason Schmidt at 458-1100 for event information.

Recycling Lights at MLK Day
In conjunction with MLK Day of Service, S.A.V.E. will be holding a Holiday Lights Recycling Drive. A box and information will be set up at the Capitol Rotunda in order to responsibly recycle these materials for reuse. Everyday, electronics are thrown into our landfills exposing our groundwater to hazardous materials that are in electronic items. Holiday light strands contain precious materials such as copper that can be extracted at reused. Stop by the Capitol Rotunda anytime between 9a and 5p on Monday, January 19 to recycle your burned out or tangled holiday lights!

Legislative Updates at Blog
Three recycling bills are up today in the House of Natural Resources. HB 21 will eliminate the termination date for existing tax credits and deduction for investment in recycling equipment and material. HB 22 will extend programs for manufacturing, agriculture and development of Montana industry and include an increase in funding for recycling components of the program. HB 35 would create a revolving loans program to fund recycling machinery and equipment. To read the bill text visit http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/law0203w$.startup You can learn more about these bills and write you support at the Natural Resources Committee Page on the Legislative website at http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws09/LAW0240W$CMTE.ActionQuery?P_COM_NM=%28H%29+Natural+Resources&Z_ACTION=Find.

Thanks!

-S.A.V.E.

Labels: harvesting clean energy, Helena recycling, holiday light recycling, MSEV, neighborhood electric vehicles, plastic recycling, recycling

S.A.V.E.'s 4th annual America Recycles Day celebration will be November 15, from 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. at Exploration Works! in the Great Northern Center. Event will include snacks, silent and live auction, and presentations on S.A.V.E. recent successes and upcoming goals. This is a great opportunity to learn about S.A.V.E. and support our efforts.

Thanks!

- The S.A.V.E. Foundation, 501(c)(3)

Labels: helena montana, recycling

Dear S.A.V.E. Friends,


The Student Advocates for Valuing the Environment Foundation has received a $5,000 matching grant from The Cinnabar Foundation. This means that upcoming donation will be matched. This is a great time to support S.A.V.E.'s effective efforts to make Helena and Montana more sustainable. Donate to S.A.V.E. today and you contribution will have twice the impact.

Also, S.A.V.E. Plastics Recycling Week began yesterday Friday June 1st and will continue through Friday, June 8th, at 1100 N Last Chance Gulch near the YMCA. This is collection for type 1 and type 2 plastics with some limitations.

Volunteers are needed through the week to help with the recycling drive, especially at peak times such as lunch and in the early evening. We will also me hosting a table at Alive @ 5 next Wednesday. Any amount of time is helpful. Call 431 - 0815 or send a email to Recycle @ Savemobile.org to learn more.

Thanks !

- The S.A.V.E. Foundation / Savemobile.org

Labels: Cinnabar, helena montana, recycling

Earth Day "Be Green" T-shirt available:

We will be doing a second run of our "Be Green" Earth Day shirts. Check them out at Savemobile.org. They are very cool. To place an order, just reply to this email with the number of shirts you'd like and what size. They cost $10 each.

Upcoming Plastics Collection, June 1-8th:

S.A.V.E.'s upcoming plastics recycling drives will be June 1-8 and September 7-14 at 1100 Last Chance Gulch (former guard armory, next to the YMCA parking lot). Download a flyer for your office at Savemobile.org

Upcoming Green Events:

* (Today!) May 22: An Inconvenient Truth, Live Slideshow Presentation with Billings Mayor, Chuck Tooley, 6-8pm, Pattern House (1229 E Lyndale), Helena
(This is the Slide-show used in Al Gore's movie. Details at Montanans for a Healthy Climate, 443-4455)

* June 1-8: S.A.V.E. Plastics Drive, Helena

* Sept. 7-14, S.A.V.E. Plastics Drive, Helena

Volunteers Needed:

* This is S.A.V.E.'s biggest summer yet, with growing business collections, plastics expansion in the works, and much more. We regularly need volunteers every Tuesday and Friday with our business route. We also need help with manning tables and making biodiesel at events such as Alive @ 5 and with biodiesel presentations. Some of our Biodiesel Montana dates this summer will be this Thursday-Saturday at the Patagonia outlet sale in Dillon, July 14th at the Livingston Sustainability Fair, and August 18 at the NCAT SustainabilityFEST in Butte. These are road trips with S.A.V.E. with expenses covered for volunteers. We also have projects in the office most weekdays. Call 431-0815 to sign up.

Trash for Trees a Success:

Nearly 100,000 pounds collected at Trash for Trees!

The recent Trash for Trees with Growing Friends of Helena and The S.A.V.E . Foundation was a record success, with nearly 100,000 pounds of recyclables collected. The event took place on April 28 at Northgate Plaza and raised close to $2,000 for planting trees and expanding recycling in Helena. The 98,891 pounds of recycling collected included 48,982 pounds of paper (newspaper, magazine, office paper), 22,260 pounds of glass, 19,406 pounds of corrugated cardboard, 3,078 pounds of steel cans, 2,372 pounds of aluminum cans, and 2,793 pounds of plastic.

Special thanks to the City of Helena, City-County Sanitation, Pacific Steel & Recycling, The Good Samaritan Thrift Store, Albertsons and all the community volunteers who made this event possible. The next Trash for Trees collection will be September 29th, 2007.

- Savemobile.org

Labels: biodiesel, helena montana, recycling

More Events Posted Soon!


* S.A.V.E. Plastics Collections Week, June 1-8th

* 17th annual EPAC Conference on Biofuels will be held June 10 - 12 at Big Sky, Montana

* NCAT 2007 SustainabilityFEST, Saturday, August 18, 2007 from 10am to 6pm


*
The Fourth Yellowstone Greening / Waste Not Montana Conference will take place in Big Sky, Montana, September 11-14, 2007

Labels: biodiesel, helena montana, recycling

Trash for Trees a Success!

This years Trash for Trees with Growing Friends and The S.A.V.E. Foundation was a record success, with nearly 100,000 pounds of recyclables collected. The event took place on April 28 and went from 9am to 4pm at Northgate Plaza. The event raised around $2,000 for planting trees in Helena and expanding recycling in Helena. The 98,891 pounds of recycling collected included 48,982 pounds of paper (newspaper, magazine, office paper), 22,260 pounds of glass, 19,406 pounds of corrugated cardboard, 3,078 pounds of steel cans, 2,372 pounds of aluminum cans, and 2,793 pounds of plastic.

Special thanks to City of Helena, City-County Sanitation, Pacific Steel & Recycling, and all the community participation that made this event possible.

The next Trash for Trees collection will be this coming September. S.A.V.E.'s upcoming plastics recycling drives will be June 1-8 and September 7-14 at 1100 Last Chance Gulch (former guard armory, next to the YMCA parking lot).

More information at:

Labels: growing friends, helena montana, plastics recycling helena montana, recycling, trash for trees

Pictures: Tons of recyclables collected, plastics baling at Pacific, an event for all ages.

Trash for Trees by The Growing Friends of Helena and The S.A.V.E. Foundation was a huge success with hundreds of participants bringing in their recyclables to support planting trees and expanding recycling in Helena. The brought in over 80 yards of newspaper and magazines, more than 40 yards of glass, 45 plus yards of plastics, and several bins of aluminum and tin. Final totals to be posted soon.

- Savemobile.org

Labels: plastics recycling helena montana, recycling, trash for trees

HB 259 (S.A.V.E. led bill to allow gray water in Montana) & and HB 555 (supported by S.A.V.E.) have both passed the Montana House with favorable margins! That and more below.
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Also, don't forget S.A.V.E.'s benefit with Jason DeShaw and the Third Wheel next March 8, S.A.V.E. Day at the Capitol Rotunda on March 9th, and our Plastics Recycling Week starting this Friday.

S.A.V.E. Legislative Update - Halfway through the session:

HB 259, a bill to allow gray water systems in Montana passed out of the House today. Learn more about gray water from previous post at the link above. The bill passed 3rd reading 85 to 14, with 1 excused vote. Representative Ward (R-Helena) co-sponsored HB 259 and expertly presented the practicality and reason for allowing gray water systems in Montana. Also known as Little John of Little John's Septic service, he is most responsible for the bills success and deserves much credit for bringing this conservation measure to Montana. Rep. Ward was excused for health issues and should be foremost in our thoughts while we await his recovery.

HB 555, to create a public education program for recycling and electronic waste disposal passed the House today with a 73 to 27 vote. HB 555 provides funds for D.E.Q. Pollution Prevention (proactive, effective part of D.E.Q. that coordinates state-wide recycling and markets) to run a public awareness campaign on electronic waste. D.E.Q. coordinated several electronics waste events last summer. This bill, HB 258 (below), and our new version of HB 607 (below) are vital to setting up the necessary awareness, incentive, and infrastructure to deal with electronic waste in Montana.

SB 449, setting fuel economy standards for state purchased vehicles, passed the Senate on a voice vote (one or two no votes recorded). The bill requires state vehicles to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (CAFE), providing the obvious exemptions for emergency and other vehicles. In the last biennium, the state motor pool went 1.33 million dollars over budget due to the increased cost of fuel and parts (due to fuel prices). This helps ensure the state will be prepared for potential spikes in fuel prices and institutionalizes common sense (cents) leadership. The bill also provides for increased carpooling by state vehicles. (on that note, Try Another Way State Employees, should be commended for their on going work doing just that)


*Revenue Bills (have more time before they must be transmitted):

SB 530, to exempt personal production and use of biodiesel for the states road tax, has been assigned to the Senate Taxation Committee. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751, the quality standard that biodiesel must meet to be sold in the state, is a proven fuel that performs well in diesel engines at any percentage. Backyard production has the potential to not meet these standards and give the fuel a bad name. By matching the federal exemption from road tax for biodiesel blends, personal use producers will not be deterred from reporting their use to the state. This will help us all make sure biodiesel is made safely and properly, as well as saving grass-roots conservation measures from extra paperwork.


HB 607, to create funds for recycling markets, innovations, and infrastructure from a tipping fee on solid waste, was intentionally tabled in House Natural Resources. S.A.V.E. is working with landfill operators, waste haulers, and other parties most affected by a tipping fee, to create a more palatable bill with another bill draft we had for recycling. The new bill will be presented soon and will create a special fund for recycling grants starting in 2008. A nickel (5 cents) for every ton (2,000lbs) of solid waste buried in Montana will contribute to the fund, coming our to around $65,000. The fund will be controlled by the Pollution Prevention section of Montana D.E.Q., a group that has a proven record of effectively finding innovative and market based solutions to meet the challenges of recycling solid waste in Montana. We see such a fund a vital to ensure effective, state-wide efforts on recycling, especially when dealing with the challenges of electronics waste recycling, helping community glass programs find markets, Household Hazardous Waste, and farm programs for recycling pesticide containers.

HB 258 remains tabled in House Taxation Committee. Given the extra busy schedule around transmittal for non-revenue bills, we have elected to wait a bit longer before bring the bill of for reconsideration. This gives us time to work on more outreach efforts to demonstrate the need to foster an incentive for the proper recycling of electronic waste. See earlier post for more information. Recent discussion of this bill includes "E-waste a growing problem (Helena IR)," a S.A.V.E. hosted forum at the Capitol, this week's Queen City News, and some stories on local news stations.

* A revenue bill affects state revenue, negatively or positively, have a transmittal date of the 60th legislative day. Non-revenue bills must be transmitted this week, by the 45th day.

- Savemobile.org

Labels: alternative energy, conservation, montana, recycling, S.A.V.E.

HB 259, a bill to allow gray water systems in Montana passed out of the house on 3rd reading today. Learn more about gray water from previous post on this blog and view the votes with the link to the bill.

HB 555, to create a public education program for recycling and electronic waste disposal passed 2nd reading in the house today with a 73 to 25 vote. The bill came out of House Natural Resources 15-1.

SB 449, setting fuel economy standards for state purchased vehicles, passed out of the Senate Transportation Committee 9-0 with amendments. The amendments require state vehicles to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (CAFE). The bill original looked at having state vehicles work on exceeding those standards. In the last biennium, the state motor pool went 1.33 million dollars over budget due to the increased cost of fuel and parts (due to fuel prices).


Revenue Bills (can be considered past transmittal deadline):
SB 530, to exempt personal production and use of biodiesel for the states road tax, has been assigned to the Senate Taxation Committee. Biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751, the quality standard that biodiesel must meet to be sold in the state,  is a proven fuel that performs well in diesel engines at any percentage. Back yard production has the potential to not meet these standards and give the spec fuel a bad name. By matching the federal exemption from road tax for biodiesel blends, personal use producers will not be deterred from reporting their use to the state. This will help us all make sure biodiesel is made safely and properly, as well as sparring grass-roots conservation measure extra paperwork.


HB 607, to create funds for recycling markets, innovations, and infrastructure from a tipping fee on solid waste, was intentionally tabled in House Natural Resources. S.A.V.E. is working with landfill operators, waste haulers, and other parties most affected by a tipping fee, to create a more palatable bill with another bill draft we had for recycling. The new bill will be presented soon and will create a special fund for recycling grants starting in 2008. A nickle (5 cents) for every ton (2,000lbs) of solid waste buried in Montana will contribute to the fund, coming our to around $65,000. The fund will be controlled by the Pollution Prevention section of Montana D.E.Q., a group that has a proven record of effectively finding innovative and market based solutions to meet the challenges of recycling solid waste in Montana. We see such a fund a vital to ensure effective, state-wide efforts on recycling, especially when dealing with the challenges of electronics waste recycling, helping community glass programs find markets, Household Hazardous Waste, and farm programs for recycling pesticide containers.

HB 258 remains tabled in House Taxation Committee. Given the extra busy schedule around transmittal for non-revenue bills, we have elected to wait a bit longer before bring the bill of for reconsideration. This gives us time to work on more outreach efforts to demonstrate the need to foster an incentive for the proper recycling of electronic waste. See earlier post for more information. Recent discussion of this bill includes "E-waste a growing problem (Helena IR), a S.A.V.E. hosted forum at the Capitol,  this weeks Queen City News, and some stories on local news stations.

- The S.A.V.E. Foundation, 501(c)(3) / Savemobile.org

Labels: 2007 legislative session, montana, recycling, Savemobile.org

March 2-9: Week long Plastics Collection
- 24/7 (daytime hours preferred) at 1100 N Last Chance Gulch, i.e. the parking lot or field behind the former Guard Armory next to the YMCA
- Collection for type 1 clear, type 2 clear/natural color, and type 2 color plastics. No lids, please give quick rinse and separate. Click here for photo guide.
- Collection also includes print cartridges, cell phones, and rechargeable batteries (those found in cell phones, power tools, or computers only - no household such as AA, C, D). These items are take daily at the Real Food Store in Helena at their Customer service desk.

March 8: S.A.V.E. Benefit at Miller's Crossing
- Jason DeShaw at 7:30pm, The Third Wheels at 9pm
- Suggested donation of $5 to benefit S.A.V.E. efforts

March 9th: S.A.V.E. Day at the Capitol
- Recycling, Conservation, Alternative Energy and Student Projects Display at the Capitol Rotunda
- Lunchtime Biodiesel Montana Concert with Jason DeShaw
- Contact us at Recycle@Savemobile.org or 406-431-0815 to help or provide your student environmental project for display.

April 22nd: Earth Day Helena 2007
- This years Earth Day Helena 2007 will be hosted by S.A.V.E. at Carroll College at the main commons area. Click here to see photos from past celebrations. Contact us at Recycle@Savemobile.org or 406-431-0815 to help with planning, provide an exhibit, or be vendor.

April 28th: Trash-for-Trees recycling collection with Growing Friends
- S.A.V.E. will be partnering with Growing Friends of Helena to provide community recycling and benefit with their bi-annual Trash-for-Trees collection at the Northgate Plaza on Montana Avenue. Collection includes newspaper, magazines, tin/steel cans, aluminum cans, corrugated cardboard, glass, and plastics (see S.A.V.E. weeklong collections for details).

Fall 2007: Youth Leadership Conference:
- S.A.V.E. will be hosting a statewide Environmental Youth Leadership Conference as a gathering for young environmentalists in Helena. The conference will feature presentations, guest speakers, and more.

Volunteers Needed:

S.A.V.E.'s regular recycling route in now Tuesday and Friday. Any amount of time between 9:30a.m. and 5p.m. is helpful on those days. We also have various projects happening throughout the week varying from work to expand recycling in town, research and outreach for legislation, and more. (note: S.A.V.E. volunteer work counta towards community service hours)

- Savemobile.org

Labels: alternative energy, conservation, recycling