The Prospector (Helena, Mont.) 1916-2015, December 07, 2007, Image 7

Page? S . A . V . E . F o u n d a t i o n Celebrating four years in the Helena community By Malena Cater Intern Writer If you are a member of the Helena Community or a Car- roll student, you have probably heard about an organization called S.A.V.E. (Student Advocates for Valuing the Environment). S.A.V.E. just celebrated its fourth year mark as a community non­ profit organization with an “Amer­ ica Recycles Day” celebration at Explorati on Works, The group began as a student club at Carroll before expanding to the Helena community in 2003. Although it is now a community nonprofit organization, S.A.V.E. still has a very strong Carroll base. Many of the organization’s members are Carroll students and graduates who dedicate their lives and careers to the three R’s of reduce, reuse, and recycle. “Being involved with S.A.V.E. is the best opportunity for stu­ dents wanting to pursue a career in environmental causes,” said Matt Elsaesser, director of S.A.V.E. As well as organiz­ ing regular recycling drives, S.A.V.E. events, and fund­ raisers, Elsaesser also has recently helped to get laws passed making gray wa­ ter sys- AZenn vehicle was on display at S.A.V.E.'s America Recycles Day event at Ex- plorationWorks. Montana was the first state to allow a new category of electric vehicle that can travel 35mph on roadways up to 45 mpg. More information at Savemobile.org PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATT ELSAESSER Senator Hawks, Ron Gompertz of Eco Auto Inc, Governor Schweitzer, Matt Elsaesser (S.A.V.E. Director), Tyler Evilsizer (S.A.V.E. Intem/Lobbyist) join a Zenn car for the signing of SB 185, a bill to allow medium speed electric vehicles that can travel 35 mph on roadways with speed limits up to 45 mph. Working with Eco Auto, S.A.V.E. helped to make Montana the first state to allow this new category of neighborhood electric vehicle. terns and a new electric car legal in Montana. The gray water idea is one that has resurfaced from a time when reusing water for crops and irrigation was just common sense. Michele Reinhart (D-Mis- soula), a Carroll graduate, sponsored the bipartisan legislation and gained sup­ port from both democrats and republicans at the last legislative session. A gray water system would allow homeowners to reuse their non-septic water to water their plants and their lawns. This could potentially save irthright Toll-Free H o tline 1-800-550-4900 www.birthright.org All our services are free and confidential. them 30 to 40% on their water bills, and a lot of water. Thanks to S.A.V.E., Montana is the first state to make a neighbor­ hood electric car legal, according to Elsaesser. The electric car is specifically designed for town use. It is much lighter than a highway car and only goes as fast as 45 miles per hour. The car will plug in anywhere and charge for a 40 mile use in four hours. While at work for only half a day, you could be charging your car for your transportation needs for the rest of the day. Making differences like these was a motivating factor for El­ saesser to run for city commission in the last city election. Elsaesser is the youngest city commissioner to ever be elected in Helena. “I felt that it would be an excit­ ing opportunity to serve Helena,” said Elsaesser. “Helena is a great town.” Elsaesser is a 2002 graduate of Carroll and part of the group of students who led S.A.V.E. from a student organization to a commu­ nity nonprofit organization. As well as continuing his envi­ ronmental efforts while serving Helena as a city commissioner, Elsaesser is also excited to partici­ pate in day- to-day decisions for the city. The next S.A.V.E. event is the plastic drive, which will take place Dec. 7-14 in the parking lot behind the old armory building and the YMCA. Keep your eyes and ears open for other events coming up, including live music and “Trash for Trees.” If you would like to learn more about S.A.V.E., you can visit their website at savemobile.org, or go to their MySpace blog. Friday, December 7,2007 Volume 91, No 3