It’s been a few weeks since 350 Missoula’s demonstration over in Butte, which many people considered a successful action to bring climate issues to the attention of Montana’s utility, NorthWestern Energy. We’re going to follow up with more vigorous actions targeting our utility soon, but, for now, here’s a good collection of news stories (radio, TV, and newspaper) about our day in Butte:
https://www.350montana.org/
Right now, I would like to bring your attention to three happenings in Missoula.
On Thursday, November 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn out at 3720 North Reserve Street, there is a public hearing on developing a federal plan to save endangered salmon and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake River drainages. What does this have to do with fighting climate change? David Merrill of the Sierra Club explains that the Bonneville Power Administration controls much of the Northwest’s transmission system. And BPA has leveraged a discriminatory transmission fee, a arbitrary tax on Montana wind energy to travel a 90-mile section of the Colstrip transmission line. (Energy traveling across the other 14,000 miles of BPA’s network is not subject to this charge.) The fee inhibits wind development in Montana and climate activists can speak up to strip the transmission fee from the system. Learn more about the hearing here:
A group of Missoulians has put together a caravan to support the North Dakota oil pipeline blockade at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The caravan is leaving Friday, November 4, and includes a University of Montana student delegation. There are extra seats if you want to go, and you can learn more on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
Lastly, you’re invited to a discussion sponsored by 350 Missoula and Northern Rockies Rising Tide. Naomi Kline and many others have written about how the climate crisis is an outgrowth of our economic system, and Robbie Liben is leading a discussion on climate and capitalism on Monday, November 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium at the Union Hall, 208 East Main. Robbie says, “A people with real democratic control of their government and economy would never willingly destroy their environment. I believe that the vast majority of people try to do the right thing in their jobs and in their daily lives and that they genuinely believe that they are doing so. Even most CEOs. How is it possible that so many people doing so much perceived good can do such terrible damage?”
We look forward to seeing you at these events.
Jeff Smith, Chair, 350 Missoula