S.A.V.E. Update: Medium Speed Electric Vehicles, January Events, and Legislative Updates

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.