C-PACE: Empowering Our Community A growing number of our commercial building owners have begun the application process for C-PACE financing. The savings from these efficiency and solar projects will keep dollars circulating in our community and move us closer to what we all want - a resilient and thriving local community.
Montana Methane Wells and Water Protection At our Feb 3rd membership meeting Sue Bueg, from our sister affiliate in Red Lodge, (Carbon County Resource Council), and active on the NP Oil & Gas Task Force, told us about abandoned methane wells in Montana. These wells, first dug in the early 1900’s, are leaking the climate disrupting greenhouse gas. We don’t have an accurate count of uncapped wells, but 200 are documented in our state.
Betsey Baxter of the GNA (Good Neighbor Agreement task force) shared about a law passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature that would remove protections of science-based standard for nutrient levels in our waterways. If this new law stands, the damage will be well underway before the "narrative" standard (mainly seeing overgrowth of algae) is apparent.
C-PACE Arrives in Park County The official rollout for C-PACE is January 3rd, 2022. Kudos to our county commissioners for their support of Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements over three legislative sessions! Next steps will include two commission meetings with the chance for our Main Street businesses to voice their support, and the creation of the C-PACE district in Park County. A six year effort to get C-PACE has yielded this huge victory. YBCC is so proud to have played a big role in this fight (alongside Northern Plains) all the way through to the last few weeks of the 2021 legislative session. Congratulations to all who helped make this victory possible; this sort of collective effort is what it takes to make progress in turning our state green. After the avalanche of challenges of these last few years, it’s wonderful to see this pathway to green energy progress open before us. Learn more about C-PACE here. Kris King (BID chair) will send information on C-PACE to all commercial building owners once we have a new brochure that explains
this great opportunity for our Main Street businesses.
Passenger Rail for Montana Towns Paul Pacini joined out YBCC meeting on Dec 2nd, 2021 to share exciting information on the campaign to get passenger rail along sections of Montana to include Livingston and Bozeman on through to the west coast. Such a rail line is sanctioned by sate law. Of the 24 counties needed to sign on, 17 have already done so. If you are curious about this effort, check out bigskyrail.org.
Join Hands for Community Solar Our YBCC Solar Map is ready for prime time! Thursday, Nov. 4th we met outside the Wastewater Treatment Plant to celebrate together as we help our community move to clean energy, and keep the momentum building to make us the greenest town in Montana! The Solarize Livingston Campaign increased community solar installations by 330% by 2021. Today, there are 76 installations, yielding $104 k annual savings and dollars that remain in our community. The community benefits and savings continue to grow. You can pick up a copy of the map at Elk River Books or Dan Bailey's Outdoor Shop.
Special Loans for EV’s Our very own Sky Federal Credit Union is offering special rates for EV loans, with lower rates than those for regular auto loans. You can apply for funds HERE.
Celebrating Solar on Our Museum! We joined with the Gateway Museum on Friday October 10th (2021) to admire the panels, check out the inverter, talk with local solar installers and meet the new museum director. Head Start Solar Collecting the Sun's Rays YBCC's sixth community project is up and running! (May, 2021) Celebrate Shane Solar! The solar array at the Shane is up and collecting the sun's rays! We in YBCC are happy to have played a role for this important community project through securing grants and individual donations; the panels will offset about 25% of their energy costs.
Happy Trash Can Composting Offers Curbside Collection If you would like to have your green and/or food waste collected and finished compost returned, you can sign up at https://www.happytrashcan.net/signup
Ding Dong the KXL is Dead! We celebrated on Sat March 13th at 4:00 with storytelling, community and songs! On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded the permit for the KXL. After years of a sustained grassroots movement, the final victory is here. Northern Plains has played a role all along, by being a plaintiff in lawsuits, by working in alliance with tribal communities, by writing letters and signing petitions. This is a victory for all of us, and for life on our planet.
A Bad Solar Bill Goes Down HB359, a bill that would have gutted the solar industry, was withdrawn on Feb. 18th, 2021 after a torrent of public comment against the bill. Our grassroots work paid off!
Trees for Livingston Thanks to Livingston Tree Board chair Marshall Swearingen for sharing tree basics on Dec 3rd, 2020 The ash borer is coming, and will have a huge effect as 50% of our trees are ash. There is a remedy, but it costs. What can we do to increase our village forest? Lots! There are 800 boulevard sites that need trees. If one of those is in front of your home, plant a tree! Donate trees (or money) to the city tree fund. Organize a tree planting day for your neighborhood or park. Marshall reminded us what we in YBCC know; more trees in our town will help us manage the hotter summers already beginning.
You can reach him at marshall.swearingen@gmail.com to be included in updates on volunteer opportunities.
Bill McKibben Visits Montana (virtually) One of the world’s strongest climate warriors, Bill McKibben, gave a virtual presentation to Northern Plains members on Monday Oct. 5th at 5pm 2020. If you missed the "Turning the Corner on Climate Change' webinar, watch it HERE.
His message is completely aligned with our Northern Plans & YBCC. message. While we all take small actions in our daily life, we must join with others to have enough power to have a real impact on the climate emergency. McKibben is the co-founder of 350.org, and the author of the groundbreaking book “The End of Nature”. That book was the first that sounded the alarm of the approaching danger
of climate chaos to the general public McKibben says:
The best thing an individual can do for the climate is to
stop being an individual.
That’s why we formed YBCC, and why we work together. We can and do make personal changes in our habits, but to affect the structures drive climate chaos we must come together. We have a tradition of democracy to call upon as we work together to make a real impact.
Montana Methane Wells and Water Protection At our Feb 3rd membership meeting Sue Bueg, from our sister affiliate in Red Lodge, (Carbon County Resource Council), and active on the NP Oil & Gas Task Force, told us about abandoned methane wells in Montana. These wells, first dug in the early 1900’s, are leaking the climate disrupting greenhouse gas. We don’t have an accurate count of uncapped wells, but 200 are documented in our state.
Betsey Baxter of the GNA (Good Neighbor Agreement task force) shared about a law passed by the 2021 Montana Legislature that would remove protections of science-based standard for nutrient levels in our waterways. If this new law stands, the damage will be well underway before the "narrative" standard (mainly seeing overgrowth of algae) is apparent.
C-PACE Arrives in Park County The official rollout for C-PACE is January 3rd, 2022. Kudos to our county commissioners for their support of Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements over three legislative sessions! Next steps will include two commission meetings with the chance for our Main Street businesses to voice their support, and the creation of the C-PACE district in Park County. A six year effort to get C-PACE has yielded this huge victory. YBCC is so proud to have played a big role in this fight (alongside Northern Plains) all the way through to the last few weeks of the 2021 legislative session. Congratulations to all who helped make this victory possible; this sort of collective effort is what it takes to make progress in turning our state green. After the avalanche of challenges of these last few years, it’s wonderful to see this pathway to green energy progress open before us. Learn more about C-PACE here. Kris King (BID chair) will send information on C-PACE to all commercial building owners once we have a new brochure that explains
this great opportunity for our Main Street businesses.
Passenger Rail for Montana Towns Paul Pacini joined out YBCC meeting on Dec 2nd, 2021 to share exciting information on the campaign to get passenger rail along sections of Montana to include Livingston and Bozeman on through to the west coast. Such a rail line is sanctioned by sate law. Of the 24 counties needed to sign on, 17 have already done so. If you are curious about this effort, check out bigskyrail.org.
Join Hands for Community Solar Our YBCC Solar Map is ready for prime time! Thursday, Nov. 4th we met outside the Wastewater Treatment Plant to celebrate together as we help our community move to clean energy, and keep the momentum building to make us the greenest town in Montana! The Solarize Livingston Campaign increased community solar installations by 330% by 2021. Today, there are 76 installations, yielding $104 k annual savings and dollars that remain in our community. The community benefits and savings continue to grow. You can pick up a copy of the map at Elk River Books or Dan Bailey's Outdoor Shop.
Special Loans for EV’s Our very own Sky Federal Credit Union is offering special rates for EV loans, with lower rates than those for regular auto loans. You can apply for funds HERE.
Celebrating Solar on Our Museum! We joined with the Gateway Museum on Friday October 10th (2021) to admire the panels, check out the inverter, talk with local solar installers and meet the new museum director. Head Start Solar Collecting the Sun's Rays YBCC's sixth community project is up and running! (May, 2021) Celebrate Shane Solar! The solar array at the Shane is up and collecting the sun's rays! We in YBCC are happy to have played a role for this important community project through securing grants and individual donations; the panels will offset about 25% of their energy costs.
Happy Trash Can Composting Offers Curbside Collection If you would like to have your green and/or food waste collected and finished compost returned, you can sign up at https://www.happytrashcan.net/signup
Ding Dong the KXL is Dead! We celebrated on Sat March 13th at 4:00 with storytelling, community and songs! On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded the permit for the KXL. After years of a sustained grassroots movement, the final victory is here. Northern Plains has played a role all along, by being a plaintiff in lawsuits, by working in alliance with tribal communities, by writing letters and signing petitions. This is a victory for all of us, and for life on our planet.
A Bad Solar Bill Goes Down HB359, a bill that would have gutted the solar industry, was withdrawn on Feb. 18th, 2021 after a torrent of public comment against the bill. Our grassroots work paid off!
Trees for Livingston Thanks to Livingston Tree Board chair Marshall Swearingen for sharing tree basics on Dec 3rd, 2020 The ash borer is coming, and will have a huge effect as 50% of our trees are ash. There is a remedy, but it costs. What can we do to increase our village forest? Lots! There are 800 boulevard sites that need trees. If one of those is in front of your home, plant a tree! Donate trees (or money) to the city tree fund. Organize a tree planting day for your neighborhood or park. Marshall reminded us what we in YBCC know; more trees in our town will help us manage the hotter summers already beginning.
You can reach him at marshall.swearingen@gmail.com to be included in updates on volunteer opportunities.
Bill McKibben Visits Montana (virtually) One of the world’s strongest climate warriors, Bill McKibben, gave a virtual presentation to Northern Plains members on Monday Oct. 5th at 5pm 2020. If you missed the "Turning the Corner on Climate Change' webinar, watch it HERE.
His message is completely aligned with our Northern Plans & YBCC. message. While we all take small actions in our daily life, we must join with others to have enough power to have a real impact on the climate emergency. McKibben is the co-founder of 350.org, and the author of the groundbreaking book “The End of Nature”. That book was the first that sounded the alarm of the approaching danger
of climate chaos to the general public McKibben says:
The best thing an individual can do for the climate is to
stop being an individual.
That’s why we formed YBCC, and why we work together. We can and do make personal changes in our habits, but to affect the structures drive climate chaos we must come together. We have a tradition of democracy to call upon as we work together to make a real impact.
