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Proposed funding cuts in the Montana Legislature could impact a bio-diesel research program in Havre.

Five years ago, MSU-Northern received $800,000 in grant funding for infrastructure and staffing for a new biofuel lab at the MSU-N Bio-Energy Center

Now the nationally-certified facility performs a variety of functions, from researching and developing bio-diesel fuel to testing fuel and emissions.

Jessica Windy Boy, director of the facility, explained, "Biofuels that can be used now, immediately, without any huge infrastructure changes to our vehicles or our airplanes or our fueling stations, is what is needed now and that is what our research focuses on."

Practical applications of the center's work can be seen around north-central Montana.

The center is working with seed producers to make oil for local restaurants that can be recycled for transit bus fuel, and BNSF Railway has also signed on to a one-year fleet test to use biodiesel fuel in its engines.

Greg Kegel, dean of the MSU-N technical sciences program, noted, "BNSF ran that switch engine through 40-degree below zero and never had a problem with it and the buses that are running around, they are very satisfied with the fuel."

The center brings in outside revenue by offering product and fuel testing for private companies, but staff say the program still requires state money to receive grant funding.

Kegel said, "It does take money in between the grants, and it takes money to match grants as well, and that's what we're looking to the state of Montana to help us with."

There are 12 staff members at the center currently; they fear that a proposed $400,000 cut in state funding would result in the loss of jobs.

Windy Boy said, "We would lose staff to be able to fund our programs as well as important dollars that we use to match with federal funds."

Kegel says his biggest concern is that progress will be stalled.

The Bio-Energy Center is currently using a $2.25-million dollar Department of Energy grant that was matched with state funds to research and develop camelina-based jet fuel.

Kegel says ultimately the center aims to be self sustaining, but he says it will take state money to get there.

Click here to learn more about the facility.