The Public Service Commission is ignoring its constituents and climate science. NorthWestern Energy's final draft of its 20-year energy Resource Procurement Plan was released last week. Despite the 10,000 comments written and spoken to the PSC about this plan, the PSC is allowing NorthWestern Energy to transition our coal-powered energy to another fossil-fuel energy source, … [Read more...] about Reader commentary: Montana PSC ignores constituents, climate change

Now and then we’re unexpectedly reminded of the past. This past week, our 15-year-old water heater died. Suddenly we were plunged back in time. No hot water. No showers. Back to the days of heating water by whatever source was available to wash up. I grew up in Libby. Our family had a cabin at a nearby lake – a cabin with no electricity, no running water, no ... … [Read more...] about Harmon’s Histories: The night Libby turned on the lights

Late last night, along with four colleagues from Missoula local government, I returned from the inaugural Mountain Towns 2030 Net Zero Summit Conference, a two-day event designed to inspire local leaders to move their communities to 100 percent clean energy rapidly, as the science demands. The conference began with what we thought would be a typical climate science talk, … [Read more...] about Sustainable Missoula: Consider not what climate solutions are viable, but what are necessary

The secret is out: The place we call home is a great place to live, work and play, and each year more people decide to make it their home, too.  With Missoula County projected to grow by 20,000 residents in the next 15 years, it’s important we seize the opportunity to shepherd this growth in a proactive, well-planned manner. Thoughtful planning will make way for homes people … [Read more...] about Missoula County commissioners: Seize the opportunity to shepherd growth

As a state senator from a small Montana border town, I understand the need for strong economies both north and south of the international border. Approval of the new trilateral trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico will help stabilize our lives.  Total value of trade across the border amounted to $673 billion in 2017. Canada is the largest export … [Read more...] about State senator: It’s time for Congress to approve U.S., Canada, Mexico trade agreement