Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment this month granted the permit. Both Harding and Reimann are trying for grants from Montana Power Co. to help cover the costs of the wind projects. Montana Power Co. has in the past provided grants for wind metering units. But the grant program is at a crossroads, as MPC sifts through its current stack of requests. MPC spokeswoman Claudia Rapkoch said the evaluation would be done in the next month.
Meters turn backward when the power is sent out and credits the producer's bill.
Montana also offers a wind energy personal tax credit for commercial, industrial and residential users. Planet Power of Columbia Falls has salvaged California windmills and now is selling them at reduced prices to encourage wind projects in central Montana. The company also sells other wind-related items. Jack Janetski, Planet Power owner, has been in business for three years. My phone used to ring 20 times a day, and now it rings 70 times a day.