Advocacy Opportunities
Fall 2021 - Climate Action in Washington D.C. - Let's make it happen!
Right now significant climate policy is being drafted into the 2021 Infrastructure bill and, crucially the "reconciliation bill".
We need strong climate federal climate legislation to support and enable our efforts. We need both of these to pass!
The Build Back Better Act- aka Budget Reconciliation - has many essential climate funding provisions:
We strongly urge support for the:
Contact Senator Tester: EMAIL HERE. Or call his DC office today: 202-224-2644
Contact Senator Daines: EMAIL HERE. Or call his DC office today: 202-224-2651
Want to learn more?
Right now significant climate policy is being drafted into the 2021 Infrastructure bill and, crucially the "reconciliation bill".
We need strong climate federal climate legislation to support and enable our efforts. We need both of these to pass!
The Build Back Better Act- aka Budget Reconciliation - has many essential climate funding provisions:
We strongly urge support for the:
- The Clean Electricity Payment Program (CEPP) to put the U.S. on a path to 80% clean electricity by 2030 by incentivizing utilities to shift to clean electricity, and
- Expanded clean energy tax incentives to compliment to the CEPP and further drive down emissions.
- transmission infrastructure,
- home and business weatherization,
- rapid electrification of buildings and transportation, and
- the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps which would be bring training and good jobs to local communities and allow more cities the tools to adapt to our changing climate.
Contact Senator Tester: EMAIL HERE. Or call his DC office today: 202-224-2644
Contact Senator Daines: EMAIL HERE. Or call his DC office today: 202-224-2651
Want to learn more?
- Evergreen Action is a great source for what is on the table and how to get involved. Head HERE.
- The National Wildlife Federation described what we need in a little more detail than what we've offered above. Head HERE.
- The Montana Chapter of the Sierra Club has info and links at MT4Climate.
More Actions + Advocacy. Click on the buttons below to get the deets! Or simply scroll down
We've also leant our voice to these and you may be:
Interested in how the 2021 legislative session went down? Head HERE.
Wondering about Missoula County's success with Cryptocurrency regulations? Click HERE.
Interested in how the 2021 legislative session went down? Head HERE.
Wondering about Missoula County's success with Cryptocurrency regulations? Click HERE.
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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