C-PACE Signed into Law! A six year effort to get C-PACE has yielded this 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.
Head Start Solar Collecting the Sun's Rays YBCC's sixth community project is up and running! (May, 2021)
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 On his first day in office, President Biden rescinded the permit for the KXL.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A Bad Solar Bill Goes Down HB359, a bill that would have gutted the solar industry, was withdrawn on Feb. 18th after a torrent of public comment against the bill. Our grassroots work paid off!
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. We’re all looking forward to returning to the Shane in 2021!
Trees for Livingston Thanks to Livingston Tree Board chair Marshall Swearingen for sharing tree basics on Dec 3rd. 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) We’re so honored that one of the world’s strongest climate warriors, Bill McKibben, gave a virtual presentation to Northern Plains members on Monday Oct. 5th at 5pm. If you missed the webinar, watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaXw0g9p6BE&feature=youtu.be
McKibben spoke from his home in Vermont, sporting a cast on his right arm after a bicycle accident. It felt like we were sitting right in the room with him. 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.
