Montana News

Memo to the Very Serious People: Resistance isn’t futile and irony can be delicious

Since the fight started brewing in the Northwest on coal exports, we have heard from many self-anointed "Very Serious People" who constantly tell us that our actions don’t matter.

Clean energy innovators share their inspiring stories of success

Rural Northwest innovators who are harvesting a full range of clean energy resources, from energy efficiency to renewable power and biofuels, were recognized at the 2013 Harvesting Clean Energy conference in Corvallis, OR.

Climate solutions in the era of consequences

We aim to cross a new threshold, bringing a new level of urgency and imperative to the campaign. We’ll be demonstrating that solutions are not just practical and economical, but right and necessary.

Want to create good jobs? Don’t count on Coal.

In what has become an extremely volatile and declining industry, the evidence shows that coal is a poor foundation for job creation and coal company executives are not to be trusted.

Seattle coal-export hearing packed, mostly by opponents

More than 2,300 people (with the vast majority of the crowd and speakers decked out in red anti-coal shirts) packed two rooms at the Washington State Convention Center on Thursday to tell government officials what they thought about plans to export coal from Rocky Mountain states through ports in the Northwest.

Mount Vernon coal terminal scoping meeting draws 1,000

If red means stop and green means go, the sentiment at Monday’s public comment meeting on the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal was in big, bold, capital letters: “STOP.”

Take a hard look at salesman before falling for coal export pitch

The next time a traveling coal company salesman comes to your door asking you to “buy today, don’t delay”, ask for their credentials. These are huge projects, with gigantic impacts on our communities, our region and our globe

New study: The impact of wind development on county-level income and employment

When wind comes to town personal income increases and jobs are created.

Coal trains, terminals need comprehensive environmental reviews

None of the five active plans to ship coal from the Powder River Basin to China via proposed coal ports in exists in isolation. That is why the Army Corps of Engineers must initiate expansive reviews of the environmental, health and transportation issues related to moving millions of tons of coal by dozens of trains each day.

KC Golden recognized for encouraging cities, businesses and utilities to tackle climate challenge

Climate Solutions advocate and policy architect honored with prestigious Heinz Award

I love the smell of solutions in the morning!

The Obama Administration brewed 'em up strong today, finalizing new passenger vehicle standards that will roughly double fuel economy by 2025, to 54.5 mpg.

Army Corps decision could delay coal terminal

Please contact the Army Corps of Engineers and tell them we need to have a clear, comprehensive, and cumulative review of the risks and threats of coal exports on our communities from mine to rail and from port to plant.

Guest blog: Heavy traffic ahead

Current rail line users, such as Pacific Northwest import and export container traffic and export grain traffic would be adversely impacted by the reduction of rail capacity with increased coal export. These important trade commodities will likely experience higher transit and cycle times as well as higher costs.

Our economy and our quality of life depend on addressing climate change

People are less likely to want to come to Montana if it means dealing with a smoky fire season and dried up rivers. With bad fire seasons becoming more common, plenty of tourist-based retail establishments are feeling the impact of climate change

Solar panels will help power Montana high school, provide educational opportunities

The Green Group, a student club at Helena High School working to promote environmental awareness, received $18,000 from Northwestern Energy for the system on the roof and $3,000 for the indoor solar station came from the Helena Education Foundation.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels program taking flight at Climate Solutions

From policies to processing plants, feedstocks to federal investment, our new Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) effort aims to connect the dots, and develop a full Northwest aviation biofuels supply chain.

Supreme court sets the table for the fossil fuel feast

The overturning of Montana’s ban on corporate contributions to political races will greatly impede the ability to pass strong federal climate and clean energy policy in the near future.

Good news: Court of Appeals tells the EPA to keep reducing global warming pollution

I feel like today’s rulings were a victory for my kids’ future. Thanks to the EPA for its important work and to the Court of Appeals for today’s dose of good news and hope.

STATEMENT FROM BETH DOGLIO, CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR FOR POWER PAST COAL, RESPONDING TO ARMY CORPS LETTER ON FULL REVIEW OF COAL EXPORT

“We need a thorough, comprehensive and transparent review looking at the cumulative impacts of all of the coal export terminals. We cannot look at each proposal with blinders on,” said Beth Doglio, Campaign Director for Power Past Coal. “The Army Corps is ignoring the serious impacts these proposals would have on communities from Montana to Eastern Washington and along our coasts

King Coal may be losing its crown

The signs keep coming that markets are turning against coal. The Energy Information Administration reports that coal use, as a share of total US energy generation, fell to the lowest level since the 1970s.