Here are some things you can do over the next few weeks.
MEIC’s Legislative Preview, Thursday, January 17, 6:30 p.m., at Goodworks Ventures, 129 W. Alder, in Missoula. The good folks at the Montana Environmental Information Center in Helena are talking about clean air, clean water, and clean energy, what to expect in the Montana Legislature . . . and how you can help.
Clean or Dirty: What’s the Plan? Friday, January 18, 9 a.m. in the Montana State Capitol in Helena, a public hearing where Montana’s monopoly utility, NorthWestern Energy, will unveil its 20-year procurement plan to a gathering that includes all five Montana Public Service Commissioners and legislators on the energy committees of both the Montana House and Senate. And perhaps you. Years in the making and still not quite ready, the procurement plan will determine where Montanans will get energy after the Colstrip coal-fired electrical plants shut down. It’s a showdown. The utility prefers more fossil fuels, over a billion dollars worth. The overwhelming majority of Montanans, meanwhile, want to move to Montana’s world-class wind and solar resources. NorthWestern officials, PSC commissioners, and legislators will listen to public comments after the utility’s presentation. This is a big opportunity to turn the ship around. The Sierra Club is sponsoring a bus from Missoula. Contact david.merrill@sierraclub.org.
350 Montana’s annual meeting, potluck, and action committee meeting, on Tuesday, January 22, 5:30 p.m., at the Union Hall, second floor ballroom, 208 East Main, in Missoula. Come hear about our 2019 strategic plan, have a meal, and help us begin to tie down our goals in specific actions over the next month.
Clean Power for All: A Day of Action at the Montana Capitol, on Wednesday, January 23, noon to 1 p.m. If you believe in energy cost savings, creating new jobs across the state, and building a more prosperous Montana through the development of clean energy, this is the rally for you. Hosted by the Northern Plains Resource Council, the idea is to get the 2019 Legislature off on the right foot, hearing from Montanans rallying for wind and solar energy on the steps of the Capitol. Don’t forget to insulate.
What Is the New Green Deal?, on Thursday, February 7, at 7 p.m. at Goodworks Ventures, 129 West Alder, in Missoula. It’s a catchy name that’s caught the attention of the U.S. House of Representatives, but what are the specifics? What would it do? How much would it cost? Is it the right scale for the crisis we face? Who’s going to pay for it? John Woodford and 350 Montana will answer those questions and lead a discussion on how we can get involved.
We hope to see you at these meetings, public hearings, and rallies.
Jeff Smith, co-chair, 350 Montana