VIDEO: Federal Money for Montana Schools: Solar and EV Buses

We were blown away by our May 1 “Federal Money for Montana Schools: Solar and EV Buses” webinar! It was an incredible conversation with some amazing guests.

Some highlights: We heard from government experts about funding opportunities. We heard stories from Sam Spector of Sweet Grass High School in Big Timber, MT, about the massive savings they’ve experienced from their solar array and other projects. We heard from Transportation Directory Bethany Aurin from West Grand School District in Colorado who gave their EV buses a glowing review for performance in snow, ice, and more!

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Take Action: HB 971 and SB 557

Thank you to the more than 60 individuals who traveled to Helena this week (and countless others who called and wrote messages) to testify against HB 971, a bill that the House suspended its rules to introduce, which would ban consideration of climate impacts and exempt DEQ from analyzing environmental, cultural and economic impacts of mining, air, and oil and gas projects. Learn more about HB 971 here and SB 557 here.

This bill, along with SB 557 (another bill targeting MEPA) passed out of committee. Take action today!

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What is the Inflation Reduction Act, and how can your family benefit?

At Families for a Livable Climate, we’re super excited at all the opportunities presented for homeowners and renters through the Inflation Reduction Act, and we’re grateful and inspired by all the amazing local groups pioneering electrification programs in Montana communities, such as our friends at Climate Smart Missoula and their Electrify Missoula!

In celebration of Earth Week, we’ve prepped a few extra resources to get you started in thinking about electrifying your life!

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Urgent: Defend our childrens' right to a clean and healthful environment

Parents and caregivers: Please join us on THIS MONDAY, APRIL 17,  at 3 p.m. with the House Natural Resources Committee to speak out against HB 971--a bill introduced late Friday after lawmakers suspended the rules to admit a new bill (post transmittal). Register to testify for the 3 p.m. hearing this Monday via Zoom; you MUST REGISTER before 5 pm on Sunday, April 16: https://leg.mt.gov/session/have-your-say/. You do not need to register to testify in person. 

HB 971 would repeal the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) for all projects that could harm our environment and climate if the Montana Supreme Court were to ever find that Montanans’ right to a clean and healthful environment requires state agencies to consider climate impacts. If the court finds that climate change must be considered, then the state department of environment quality does not have to comply with MEPA for air pollution permits, coal mines, open cut permits, hard rock mines, and more.

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Held v Montana: The Landmark Youth Climate Case

David Gelles | New York Times

In March of 2020, 16 young Montanans, with support from the nonprofit law firm, Our Children’s Trust, filed a lawsuit against the State of Montana. The plaintiffs argue that the state’s support of a fossil fuel-driven energy system is violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The trial is historic: the first ever constitutional climate trial and first ever children’s climate trial in U.S. history.

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