Advocacy Opportunities
December 2023: First steps toward a Green Power Program (a.k.a. green tariff) for Missoula!
December 11, 2023: Missoula City Council and County Commission will vote on the draft term sheet for the Green Power Program at a joint meeting during the normal City Council meeting time - 6pm in Council Chambers. You can also join virtually.
Join us in letting the City and County know you support this initial step towards developing the Green Power Program!
What is the Green Power Program?
In 2019, Missoula adopted the goal of reaching 100% Clean Electricity for our urban area by 2030. Since 2019, the City and County have been working with NorthWestern Energy and a team of expert consultants to explore a "green tariff" as one way to increase the share of our community that is powered by renewable energy, while also adding new renewable energy to our grid as a whole. After a long period of negotiations, the draft Term Sheet is the first major milestone towards the development of this program.
The term sheet is a non-binding document that commits the Missoula City & County (and the City of Bozeman) to working to develop an RFP for a new renewable energy project in Montana. Local governments, commercial entities, and residents would be eligible to subscribe and receive their electricity from this new source, helping to “green” the grid and in the case of Missoula, make progress towards our community’s 100% clean electricity goal.
Download the Green Power Program Frequently Asked Questions document and find more information via Missoula County's website.
Why we support this effort
100% Clean Electricity by 2030 was an ambitious goal - and necessary to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. We knew there was no silver bullet to reaching this goal; instead, it will require action on different levels and scales, from both local government and community members, from large-scale renewables to solar on homes and businesses.
The Green Power Program is just one part of the equation. The agreed-upon 50 megawatt size for the initial project is smaller than we would have hoped, but the agreement includes plans for future phases that could bring larger renewable energy projects online, so there is potential to scale up if this program proves successful.
Our local government partners have worked hard to ensure the terms of this project would be favorable to customers. Initial project modeling suggests the cost of participating compared with standard electricity rates would be nominal, if anything - with a possibility GPP rates could be slightly cheaper. We think the benefits of this program in terms of new renewable energy, progress toward community climate goals, and increasing access to clean energy for all make it worth supporting, despite its limitations. And we're grateful for our City and County partners for their commitment to our community throughout this process and getting to this important milestone!
Join us in letting the City and County know you support this initial step towards developing the Green Power Program!
What is the Green Power Program?
In 2019, Missoula adopted the goal of reaching 100% Clean Electricity for our urban area by 2030. Since 2019, the City and County have been working with NorthWestern Energy and a team of expert consultants to explore a "green tariff" as one way to increase the share of our community that is powered by renewable energy, while also adding new renewable energy to our grid as a whole. After a long period of negotiations, the draft Term Sheet is the first major milestone towards the development of this program.
The term sheet is a non-binding document that commits the Missoula City & County (and the City of Bozeman) to working to develop an RFP for a new renewable energy project in Montana. Local governments, commercial entities, and residents would be eligible to subscribe and receive their electricity from this new source, helping to “green” the grid and in the case of Missoula, make progress towards our community’s 100% clean electricity goal.
Download the Green Power Program Frequently Asked Questions document and find more information via Missoula County's website.
Why we support this effort
100% Clean Electricity by 2030 was an ambitious goal - and necessary to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. We knew there was no silver bullet to reaching this goal; instead, it will require action on different levels and scales, from both local government and community members, from large-scale renewables to solar on homes and businesses.
The Green Power Program is just one part of the equation. The agreed-upon 50 megawatt size for the initial project is smaller than we would have hoped, but the agreement includes plans for future phases that could bring larger renewable energy projects online, so there is potential to scale up if this program proves successful.
Our local government partners have worked hard to ensure the terms of this project would be favorable to customers. Initial project modeling suggests the cost of participating compared with standard electricity rates would be nominal, if anything - with a possibility GPP rates could be slightly cheaper. We think the benefits of this program in terms of new renewable energy, progress toward community climate goals, and increasing access to clean energy for all make it worth supporting, despite its limitations. And we're grateful for our City and County partners for their commitment to our community throughout this process and getting to this important milestone!
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The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act - true Federal Climate Action
We are so excited to bring the IRA to Missoula and you too can be advocate for this and more. How? Check out our Accelerate Clean Energy page, where we offer our suggestions. You can also visit Electrify Missoula for more, and we'll be ramping up our efforts as we learn more about incentives available. |
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More Actions + Advocacy. Click on the buttons below to get the deets! Or simply scroll down
100% Clean Electricity for Missoula
March 2021:
Our community is moving forward. -- slower than we'd hoped but things are happening. Climate Smart is working with partners to figure out how Missoula can best get to 100%. We're leading efforts to develop a ROADMAP which we hope to complete late 2021 (see below).
A significant component of the Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity is an Implementation Plan being developed by Missoula County, the City of Missoula and NorthWestern Energy (NWE). and as per their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, signed August 2021). The Draft Implementation Plan is HERE. The Implementation Plan contains 6 work plans that have potential to facilitate a significant start in our transition to 100%.
The City and County are taking comments on this draft plan through March 15 via Engage Missoula. Comment if you can.
Our short take is that these 6 workplans are a solid and necessary start - Phase 1 if you will - but we know we need more and we hope NWE will be willing to help us actually make a plan to get closer to 100%.
The six workplans include:
Background on 100%:
100% Clean Electricity Joint Resolution adopted by both City and County in April 2019
The resolution was adopted by the County Commissioners and City Council in April. See more about this effort on our 100% Clean Electricity page as well as coverage of this process on our In the News page.
This effort grew out of our 100% Clean Electricity Options Report in 2018 (the latest and greatest version is HERE). Since then, we've been working with the City, County, and an ad hoc group of partners to keep this effort moving forward and we are thrilled to have passed a joint resolution to adopt the goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula community by 2030. Thank you to all who showed your support and made this happen, by coming to the meetings, signing the open letter (nearly 500 signatories!) and spreading the word. This was a team effort and we are so proud of our community.
March 2021:
Our community is moving forward. -- slower than we'd hoped but things are happening. Climate Smart is working with partners to figure out how Missoula can best get to 100%. We're leading efforts to develop a ROADMAP which we hope to complete late 2021 (see below).
A significant component of the Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity is an Implementation Plan being developed by Missoula County, the City of Missoula and NorthWestern Energy (NWE). and as per their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU, signed August 2021). The Draft Implementation Plan is HERE. The Implementation Plan contains 6 work plans that have potential to facilitate a significant start in our transition to 100%.
The City and County are taking comments on this draft plan through March 15 via Engage Missoula. Comment if you can.
Our short take is that these 6 workplans are a solid and necessary start - Phase 1 if you will - but we know we need more and we hope NWE will be willing to help us actually make a plan to get closer to 100%.
The six workplans include:
- Utility-scale renewable energy via a new "green tariff": Yes - we need this! This would not only help Missoula but other MT communities and together (Missoula City and County, Bozeman, Helena) they've hired a consultant to develop the strongest rate structure possible.
- Community-scale solar - this should be closer to or exceed 10 MW in size, not 3!
- Energy efficiency - NWE needs to offer more assurance that e.e. is a priority
- Pilot "time of use" rate structures - Yes to these.
- Rate structure for electric buses. Another yes - we're excited about moving to an all electric bus fleet and REALLY need a fairer rate to charge the buses.
- Energy data sharing. Yes, yes, yes - we really need these data to know if we're on the right trajectory - the right DOWNWARD trajectory.
Background on 100%:
100% Clean Electricity Joint Resolution adopted by both City and County in April 2019
The resolution was adopted by the County Commissioners and City Council in April. See more about this effort on our 100% Clean Electricity page as well as coverage of this process on our In the News page.
This effort grew out of our 100% Clean Electricity Options Report in 2018 (the latest and greatest version is HERE). Since then, we've been working with the City, County, and an ad hoc group of partners to keep this effort moving forward and we are thrilled to have passed a joint resolution to adopt the goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula community by 2030. Thank you to all who showed your support and made this happen, by coming to the meetings, signing the open letter (nearly 500 signatories!) and spreading the word. This was a team effort and we are so proud of our community.
Statewide Advocacy -- Montana's Climate Solutions Plan
Montana's Climate Solutions Plan was released in September, 2020. The plan represents a year+ long process. Climate Smart's ED Amy served on the Council and, with a diverse group of council members, worked hard to develop durable strategies to meet carbon pollution reduction goals and build a healthy and resilient Montana.
Fall 2020. We have a plan but is it being enacted?
Not exactly! After a summer of wildfires, smoke, drought and heat, we need action and implementation. Check out these news articles. and contact Governor Gianforte and ask him what he is doing to combat climate change and whether he is enacting Montana's Climate Solution Plan! Mention it is urgent and we need leadership!
Contact the Governor HERE. Or call his office: 406-4463-3111
Read the final Montana Climate Solutions Plan HERE.
More about the Climate Solutions Council and the studies that support the final plan are linked HERE - and then scroll down to "Past climate and energy planning and resources... "
Check out this article about the plan from the Montana Free Press.
It's up to all of us to ensure the recommendations are implemented and strengthened and to advocate with our State Leaders to enact.
As Amy says, "The plan is chock full of needed strategies to build a resilient Montana and significantly reduce our emissions. It now needs leadership, policies, funding and all of us to help implement." What can you do today? Let your state legislators and the Governor know about your climate priorities and support for elements of this plan!
Montana's Climate Solutions Plan was released in September, 2020. The plan represents a year+ long process. Climate Smart's ED Amy served on the Council and, with a diverse group of council members, worked hard to develop durable strategies to meet carbon pollution reduction goals and build a healthy and resilient Montana.
Fall 2020. We have a plan but is it being enacted?
Not exactly! After a summer of wildfires, smoke, drought and heat, we need action and implementation. Check out these news articles. and contact Governor Gianforte and ask him what he is doing to combat climate change and whether he is enacting Montana's Climate Solution Plan! Mention it is urgent and we need leadership!
Contact the Governor HERE. Or call his office: 406-4463-3111
- Climate professionals urge state action amid heat, drought in Montana. (Aug 28, KPAX)
- Climate Solutions Council members to Gianforte: We have a plan (Aug 12, Montana Free Press)
- Gianforte ends Montana's climate change coalition membership (July 9, AP)
Read the final Montana Climate Solutions Plan HERE.
More about the Climate Solutions Council and the studies that support the final plan are linked HERE - and then scroll down to "Past climate and energy planning and resources... "
Check out this article about the plan from the Montana Free Press.
It's up to all of us to ensure the recommendations are implemented and strengthened and to advocate with our State Leaders to enact.
As Amy says, "The plan is chock full of needed strategies to build a resilient Montana and significantly reduce our emissions. It now needs leadership, policies, funding and all of us to help implement." What can you do today? Let your state legislators and the Governor know about your climate priorities and support for elements of this plan!
There are lots of ways to advocate for a healthy climate...
It's always a good time to speak out for climate solutions. You can write letters to the editor, get involved in election campaigns for those who support climate science and action, send an email to the Governor about how you would like to see Montana take action, or speak to your friends, neighbors, and local representatives.
Here are some ideas re: talking to others about Climate Change:
Because the best tonic for despair is action. |
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People's Climate March and RallyWe had great turn out for BOTH People's Climate March and Rallies - April 2017 and Sept. 2018. Thank you!!
Head here for media and more. |
Solar Jobs Rally in HelenaThanks for Rallying back in 2017
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Stay in touch for upcoming events...See our calendar and join our mailing list to stay up to date on advocacy opportunities.
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