Time to amplify our voices!

June 18, 2018. An updated advocacy opportunity.  The Missoula Board of County Commissioners (BCC) is seeking public input on a proposed one year moratorium for expansion of the energy-intensive cryptocurrency industry (such as bitcoin) in our county. Keep reading or head to the County's WEB PAGE and submit public comments today. There's even a video of the entire hearing if you're so inclined. The BCC delayed their decision until they meet again August 9 so there is still time to COMMENT. Scroll down for links to articles about the public meeting. 
WHAT: Cyrptocurrency operations, which consume heaps and heaps of energy, are looking to Missoula County in order to exploit our relatively cool climate and low-cost electricity.  These facilities can disrupt neighborhoods with their noisy operations, increase electricity rates due to costly infrastructure upgrades, and set back efforts to mitigate climate change by consuming obscene amounts of dirty fossil fuel energy. These issues will worsen if more facilities flood in.  The Missoula Board of County Commissioners is considering placing a one-year moratorium on new Bitcoin facilities wishing to locate in the county until the ramifications of this precarious industry can be fully understood and problems addressed.
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Here are five reasons the County is concerned:  1. noise 2.  greenhouse gas emissions 3. electrical grid reliability and safety 4.  fire 5. e-waste.

​Please submit comment on the county’s website here as soon as you can. And thanks for ALL who have already commented. 

Here are 3 media reports from the June 14 public BCC meeting 
For more about cryptocurrency and Bitcoin, including what they are and the climate change problems they create, see these two articles.  The County's web page also links to numerous articles and even YouTube videos about block chain!
It's always a good time to speak out for climate solutions.  It may be summer but we can always write letters to the editor, perhaps an email to the Governor of how you would like to see Montana take action, or speak to your friends, neighbors, and local representatives. 

People's Climate March and Rally 

We had a great turn out for the People's Climate Movement Missoula March and Rally. Thank you!!
​Head here for media and more. 

Solar Jobs Rally in Helena

Frustratingly, the awesome solar bill HB 504 got tabled in committee. But for those who rallied... thank you!
See below for more on this bill.

Stay in touch for upcoming events...

See our calendar and join our mailing list to stay up to date on advocacy opportunities. 

There are lots of ways to advocate for a healthy climate...

  • Write a letter to the editor - these are read by elected officials.
  • Share your climate concerns and stories with us - email to get started.
  • ​Create and share ART that speaks to a resilient community.. Remember eARTh without ART is just eh....
  • Help us plan a way to save oodles of energy in this town right now.
  • Hug your kids and neighbors, and smile at strangers.

​Here are some ideas re: talking to others about Climate Change:​
​Because the best tonic for despair is action.

2017 Legislative Session Recap

Whew! 2017 saw some pretty severe attacks on clean energy in Montana. Thanks to the hard work of groups like MEIC (Montana Environmental Information Center), MREA (Montana Renewable Energy Association), their allies, and YOU, most of the really bad clean energy bills were killed either in committee or thanks to a veto by Gov. Bullock. Frustratingly... the legislature failed to pass any positive clean energy bills that would have made renewables more accessible, helping mitigate climate change and bolster opportunities for economic growth. 

​Here's what happened (or didn't happen) with clean energy during this year's Legislative Session...

For more details visit MREA's policy page or MEIC's 2017 Legislature in Review 
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For the record, we STRONGLY SUPPORTED
The Solar Jobs and Energy Freedom Act, HB 504, but it was tabled. This bill would have removed barriers to solar energy growth, including:
  • Raising the cap on a net metered system to 1 megawatt, giving homeowners, farmers and businesses the freedom to purchase a solar system that meets their needs;
  • Giving more Montanans access to affordable solar energy through community solar projects that allow those who rent or live in a home not suitable for a solar array to have the choice to invest in a local solar project and receive credits that reduce their energy bill;
  • Giving farmers and ranchers the freedom to choose a solar system that meets all their energy needs by allowing for net-metering credits to be applied across multiple meters;
  • Helping Montanans struggling to pay their utility bills by requiring NorthWestern Energy to apply left over net metering credits to low-income bill assistance.

Let's not forget what good policy looks like and let's elect leaders who believe in climate solutions and our kids' futures. 
We SUPPORTED but...
HB34 (Sen. Jedediah Hinkle, R-Belgrade) would have increased the arbitrary and outdated 50kW cap for net metered system to 250kW for government entities (including schools and universities, city and county governments, as well as federal and tribal governments). This bill was heard very early in the session and marked the beginning of the heavily contested net-metering debate between renewable energy advocates and the utility.
Result: Even with resounding support of this bill, it was tabled in committee.

HB52 would grandfather net metering customers under any future rate changes. This bill had unanimous support, including from the utilities.
Result: This bill was ultimately tabled once House Bill 219 was originally brought forward, due to the overlap.

HB 504 (see above) would have: increased the net metering cap to 1MW for all net metering customers; allowed for aggregate net metering; allowed for community net metering; provided excess credits that are normally forfeited to the utility to be used for low-income bill assistance. This bill had a heavily contested hearing, with a large number of supporters (including numerous MREA members). The following day, hundreds of Montanans attended the Solar Jobs, calling for support of this bill.
Result: Unfortunately, the bill tied on an 8-8 vote in the House Energy Committee and was tabled.​

​PACE: Property Assessed Clean Energy
SB 330 (Sen. Chas Vincent, R-Libby) Would have enabled Montana Cities and Counties to offer PACE programs to their residences and businesses if they chose to do so. The easiest way to learn what PACE is to read this snazzy 4 pager, or visit the PACE website and sign up here to show your support. 
Result: Passed the Senate 32-19. Tabled in House Natural Resources Committee. 

Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions
SB190 (Sen. Mike Phillips, D-Bozeman) This bill would require the Board of Environmental Review (BER) to adopt rules that further define greenhouse gas emission sources and require the reporting and certification of greenhouse gases to quantify emissions in Montana. This bill requires the BER to report to the Environmental Quality Council and provide the Council with proposals for reducing Montana’s carbon pollution.  Montana's DEQ would be required to put together a state plan for dealing with GHG emissions and the effects they have on public health, the environment, and economy.  The bill would not create some huge government program. It starts the conversation on how to address emissions that contribute to climate change and how to develop a Montana plan to address it in the absence of federal action. ​This bill passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee and was heard in the full Senate on March 21.  
Result: ​It was voted down. DARN. BOO. 
We OPPOSED
SB 32 (Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell) would undermine Montana’s Renewable Energy Standard by repealing the section of that law which requires NorthWestern Energy to purchase a small portion of its electricity from community renewable energy projects such as small-scale wind and solar projects. These projects help to diversify NorthWestern’s portfolio and provide economic benefits to communities across the state.
Result: The bill passed but was VETOED by the Governor.  Tell him thank You!

SB 154 (Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta) would harm solar jobs and investments in Montana by eliminating modest incentives for net metered clean energy systems. In total, these tax incentives cost the State about $120,000 per year in lost revenue. In contrast, one single State oil and gas tax incentive has cost the State $265 milling since 2008. Montana’s solar industry is on the cusp of explosive growth that would create new, good paying jobs across the state. We should be supporting a healthy economic growth, not stifling it. 
Result: The bill passed but was VETOED by the Governor. Tell him thank You!

SB78 (Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell) attacked solar energy development in Montana by mandating changes to rules set by Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) experts. It would mandate net metering credits be valued at “avoided cost,” a specific valuation method that would prevent the PSC from using its expertise to set rates. It discriminates against net metering customers by adding a new, separate fee ostensibly to cover utility infrastructure costs. These customers already pay this cost. Net metering customers would pay twice for infrastructure. By severely and arbitrarily lowering the crediting rate granted to net metered customers this bill would make investing in and installing distributed renewable energy technologies impractical and will devastate distributed renewable energy businesses in Montana, eliminating an important option for Montanans to invest in their own energy. 
Result: This bill  was TABLED.  Hooray!

SB7 (Sen Pat Connell, R-Hamilton) would establish a statute that net metering should not be subsidized by other customers. This bill used cost shifting, which is inherent in the utility grid system, to discriminate against net metered customers, creating increased costs for net metered customers through which the benefits of their systems would not be fully accounted for.  Unfortunately, even in light of heavy opposition during it was heard in both the Senate and the House Energy Committees.
Result: The bill passed but was VETOED! Thanks, Gov. Bullock for saying no to this bad bill. 
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SB 235 (Sen. Tom Richmond, R-Billings) would have allowed the Montana Land Board to extend the date for coal leases beyond their traditional 10-year term if the Board finds that it would be in the “best interest of the state.” The bill could result in a lease renewal for the Otter Creek coal tracts if Arch Coal fails to develop the mine at the end of its current 10-year lease. This also allows the State to forego revenue from a new lease. 
Result: The bill passed but was VETOED by the Gov. Thank you! 

HB 205. (Rep. Alan Redfeild, R-Livingston) The bill would impose a $150 annual fee on electric vehicles and a $90 fee on hybrid electric vehicles. The bill's author used fuzzy math to calculate the amount he thinks electric and hybrid vehicle owners should pay each year to offset the money they don’t pay into the gas tax fund. The bill is a veiled attempt to harm people who use a more environmentally responsible vehicle. No calculation was made of the benefit these vehicle owners provide to us all. 
Result: The bill passed but was VETOED by the Gov.

SB1 (Sen. Pat Connell, R-Hamilton) would require all future and current net metered customers use advanced meter and inverter technology. Advanced inverters would allow the utility to remotely disconnect a net metered system in the case of a power outage or line maintenance, and would regulate the output of a net metered system. This bill would unnecessarily add extra costs to rooftop solar, as well as require current customers to make a costly upgrade to their system. It would create a scenario in which a utility could control output of a private generator, without clearly compensating the owner for reduced output or grid services. 
Result: This bill has been TABLED. YES! ​
Thanks Governor Bullock for your vetoes
Contact Gov. Bullock and thank him for vetoing many bad clean energy bills!

​How to stay in touch with the legislature and be an advocate:

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