For Immediate Release: September 29, 2009
Contact: Michael Mascari; (303) 236-4336; Michael_Mascari@fws.gov
Sharon Rose; (303) 236-4580; Sharon_R_Rose@fws.gov
FFS #R6DA

Ennis, MT – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is making an investment into the greening of the Ennis National Fish Hatchery in Ennis, Montana. Work began September 14 on the installation of a solar energy system that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates will provide at least 75 percent of the facility’s energy. Ennis used 34,000 kilowatt-hours last year; eventually all its power may come from solar.

“With this Recovery Act funding, we are putting people to work today and investing in the energy-efficient technologies that will benefit the facility for many years to come,” U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar explained.

The Recovery Act is providing $179,000 to the hatchery for the installation of the photovoltaic system. The system, made up of 90-120 solar panels, will help the agency towards its federally mandated goal to obtain five percent of its energy from renewable sources.

Shanks Electric Corporation, a Helendale, Calif. firm, will perform the installation using subcontractors from Montana. Most of the jobs created by the project will go to people from the local area.

“This location is ideal for this type of project. The project is a great investment in the future, and may serve as a model for other similar locations,” said Stephen Guertin, Regional Director of the Service’s eight-state Mountain-Prairie Region.

The hatchery is one of three rainbow trout broodstock facilities in the system. This broodstock hatchery also rears fish to adult size, then incubates its eggs and ships 20,000,000 eggs to production hatcheries throughout the nation. Ennis produces 350,000 fingerling trout and stocks them in Montana lakes and rivers.

“We are very much looking forward to the completion of the photovoltaic system because it will provide electricity, reduce cost and help the environment by generating renewable power and putting some back into the power grid. It should also create quite a few jobs in southwestern Montana during the construction,” project manager Tom Pruitt said.

For more information about this project and to view other FWS projects funded by ARRA go to http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.