Loans up to $40,000 for Alternative Technologies
The Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) provides loans to individuals to install alternative energy systems that generate energy for their own use. Eligible efficiency technologies are: building insulation, windows, doors, appliances and other measures installed as  part of the alternative energy project. Elgible renewable technologies are solar water heat, photovoltaics, wind, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, small hydroelectric, fuel cells using renewable fuels, and landfill gas. Maximum loan amounts are $40,000 (subject to available funds) and extending the repayment period to ten years. Interest rates are set annually and are fixed for the term of the loan. The rate for 2008 is 5.0%. Contact: Montana Department of Environmental Quality Planning, Prevention, and Assistance, 1100 North Last Chance Gulch, PO Box 200902, Helena, MT 59620; 406-841-5243; Fax: 406-444-6836; http://www.deq.state.mt.us/energy/Renewable/altenergyloan.asp

Tax Credit up to $500 for Energy Conservation
Individual taxpayers may claim a credit against their tax liability for up to 25% of the costs of investment for energy conservation purposes in a building. The maximum credit is $500 for investment in the physical attributes of a building or in a water, heating or cooling system. The credit must be claimed in the year that the expenditure is made. For new construction, only the portion of the work that surpasses any applicable state or federal construction standards may be used. Contact: Public Information Officer, Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, MT 59604-5805; 406-444-6900; http://mt.gov/revenue/forindividuals/individualincome/incentivesiit.asp - conservation

$750 Homeowner Rebate for New Electrically Heated Home
Flathead Electric encourages its residential customers to occupy energy efficient homes. A $750 Homeowner Rebate is payable to Northwest Energy Efficient Manufactured (NEEM) home buyers who site a new electrically heated NEEM home in their service territory. Home buyers will be required to submit a rebate form to Flathead Electric prior to set-up inspection. Contact: Flathead Electric Cooperative, 2510 US Hwy 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901; 406-751-4485; 406-751-4483; http://www.flatheadelectric.com/energy/neem/neem.html

Rebates up to $3000 for Installation of Effficent and Renewable Technologies
Flathead Electric offers incentives for its residential customers to increase the energy efficiency of their homes through a variety of equipment rebates. Customers who have a pre-approved contractor install a geothermal heat pump are eligible for a $3,000 rebate while a new energy efficient air source heat pump is eligible for a $1,000 rebate. Rebates are also available for the following: water heater $60; clothes washer with electric water heater $70, with gas heater $25; refrigerator $25; dishwasher $25; and freezer $10. Contact: Flathead Electric Cooperative, 2510 US Hwy 2 East, Kalispell, MT 59901; 406-751-4485; 406-751-4483; http://www.flatheadelectric.com/energy/Rebates.html

Rebates for Energy Efficient Technologies
NorthWestern Energy offers a variety of rebates for their residential customers to make energy efficiency improvements in their existing homes. Customers who purchase an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat from a local retailer and install it in their home are eligible for a $30 rebate. Northwestern Energy also offers rebates for a variety of gas heating equipment improvements including the installation of boilers, furnaces, equipment and building insulation, energy management systems/building controls, gas convection ovens, and lighting. In addition to the home improvement rebates listed above, The E+ New Homes Program offers rebates for new home construction that incorporates certain energy efficiency measures. Contact: NorthWestern Energy, 40 East Broadway, Butte, MT 59701; 406-497-3516; http://www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Rebates_Home_MT&Item=102

Utility Grant up to $10,000 in Incentives for Supply of Renewable Energy
NorthWestern Energy periodically provides funding to its customers for renewable energy projects. The Universal System Benefits (USB) Program requires all electric and gas utilities to establish USB funds for low-income energy assistance, weatherization, energy efficiency activities, and development of renewable energy resources. Incentives of $3.00/watt are offered for private solar PV installations up to a maximum of $6,000 per customer; the incentive for wind is $2/watt to a maximum of $10,000 per customer. Off-grid installations inside NWE's service territory are not eligible for USB funds. Contact: NorthWestern Energy, 40 East Broadway, Butte, MT 59701; 406-497-3516; http://www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Renewable_Energy_Program

Property Tax Exemptions to $100,000 for Multi-Family, $20,000 for Single
Montana's property tax exemption for recognized nonfossil forms of energy generation or low emission wood or biomass combustion devices may be claimed for 10 years after installation of the property. The exemption is allowed for single-family residential dwellings up to $20,000 in value and for multifamily residential dwellings up to $100,000 in value. Recognized forms of energy generation include solar, photovoltaics, passive solar, wind, solid waste, decomposition of organic wastes, geothermal, fuel cells that do not require hydrocarbon fuel, small hydropower plants, and low-emission wood or biomass combustor systems. Contact: Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Planning, Prevention & Assistance, 1100 North Last Chance Gulch, P. O. Box 200902, Helena, MT 59620; 406-841-5240; Fax: 406-444-1804; http://www.deq.state.mt.us/Energy/index.asp or Information Specialist - MT Dept. of Rev., Montana, Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, MT 59604-5805; 406-444-6900; http://www.state.mt.us/revenue

Tax Credit up to $500 for Installation of Renewable Technologies
Residential taxpayers who install an energy system using a recognized non-fossil form of energy on their home are eligible for a tax credit equal to the amount of the cost of the system and installation of the system, not to exceed $500. Recognized non-fossil forms of energy generation means a system that captures energy or converts energy sources into usable sources, including electricity, by using solar energy, including passive solar systems;  wind; solid waste; the decomposition of organic wastes; geothermal; fuel cells that do not require hydrocarbon fuel; or an alternative energy system; a system that produces electric power from biomass or solid wood wastes; or a small system that uses water power by means of an impoundment that is not over 20 acres in surface area. Contact: Montana Department of Environmental Quality Planning, Prevention, and Assistance; 1100 North Last Chance Gulch, PO Box 200902; Helena, MT 59620; 406-841-5243; Fax: 406-444-6836; http://www.deq.state.mt.us/Energy/index.asp or Information Specialist - MT Dept. of Rev., Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, MT 59604-5805; 406-444-6900; http://www.state.mt.us/revenue
 

Tax Credit up to $1500 for Installation Costs of Geothermal Heating/Cooling
A resident taxpayer of Montana who installs a geothermal heating or cooling system in their principal dwelling can claim a tax credit based on the installation costs of the system, not to exceed $1,500. Contact: Montana Department of Environmental Quality Planning, Prevention, and Assistance, 1100 North Last Chance Gulch, PO Box 200902, Helena, MT 59620; 406-841-5243; Fax: 406-444-6836 or Information Specialist - MT Dept. of Rev., Montana Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 5805, Helena, MT 59604-5805; 406-444-6900; http://www.state.mt.us/revenue

Up to $1000 in Rebates for Purchasing Energy Efficient Equipment
The Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative offers rebates to its residential members for purchasing energy efficient add-on heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines. Rebates are: add-on heat pump $800 maximum; geothermal heat pump $1000 maximum; washing machine $50; dishwasher $25; refrigerator $25. A State Tax Credit of $1,500 is also available for Ground Source Heat Pumps. Contact: Customer Service, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, PO Box 249, 150 Cooperative Way, Huntley, MT 59037-0249; 406-348-3411; http://www.yvec.com/innerpage.php?cat_id=6

Rebate up to $150 for Purchase of a New Electric Water Heater
The Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative will rebate $150.00 for the purchase of a new electric water heater which has either been installed in a newly constructed residence or which has replaced a gas or propane water heater within an existing residence. If a new electric water heater has been purchased to replace an electric water heater in an existing residence, a $100.00 rebate will be given. Contact: Customer Service, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, PO Box 249, 150 Cooperative Way, Huntley, MT 59037-0249; 406-348-3411; http://www.yvec.com/innerpage.php?cat_id=36

$25 to $50 for Kitchen Appliance Upgrades
The Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative is offering rebates on qualifying energy efficient Energy Star rated Dishwashers, Refrigerators, and Washing Machines. YVEC offers a rebate of $25 on Energy Star dishwasher and refrigerators, and $50 on Energy Star washing machines. Contact: Customer Service, Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, PO Box 249, 150 Cooperative Way, Huntley, MT 59037-0249; 406-348-3411; http://www.yvec.com/innerpage.php?cat_id=37