The Montana Climate Action Project is a collaboration of partners in Montana working to find solutions, create opportunities and empower people around the issue of climate change. Our goal is to provide Montana citizens with the information and tools they need to understand climate change and make personal changes that will have a positive effect on the climate change crisis.
News Release September 1, 2010 Contacts: Georgia Parham 812-334-4261 x 1203 George Jordan 406-247-7365 Diane Katzenberger 303-236-4578 U.S.F.W.S. To Provide Limited Endangered Species Act Protections for the Shovelnose Sturgeon The U.S.F.W.S. (Service) has determined it is necessary to treat the shovelnose sturgeon as...
Review period open through Sept 30 (Denver, Colo. - August 26, 2010) - The Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in north-central Montana has applied to the E.P.A. (EPA) for eligibility to administer the Water Quality Requirements plan under the Clean Water Act. This eligibility is also referred to as Treatment in a similar manner as a State, or TAS. E.P.A. is reviewing the Tribe's application and will solicit comments on the Tribe's assertion of authority...
Washington, DC - A field test demonstrating the best approaches for terrestrial carbon dioxide (COtwo) storage in the heartland of North America has been successfully completed by one of the D.O.E.'s (DOE) 7 Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs).
In excess of 1, 100 years of CO2 storage potential in Geologic Formations Washington, D.C. - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the selection of 15 plans to develop technologies aimed at safely and economically storing carbon dioxide in geologic formations. Funded with $21.3 million over 3 years, today's selections will complement existing D.O.E. initiatives to help develop the technology and infrastructure to implement large-scale CO2 storage in...
In excess of 1,100 Years of CO2 Storage Potential in Geologic Formations Washington, DC - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today the selection of 15 plans to develop technologies aimed at safely and economically storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in geologic formations. Funded at $21.3 million over 3 years, today's selections will complement existing D.O.E. initiatives to hel...
The July 2010 average temperature for the contiguous U.S. was 75.5 degrees F, or 1.3 degrees F, (17th warmest) above the 1901-2000 long-term average, according to the latest N.O.A.A. State of the Climate report. Last month's average precipitation was 3.24 inches, or 0.48 inch above the 1901-2000 average. Based on records dating back to 1895, this monthly analysis, prepared by scientists at NOAA's Nat...
Contacts Alicia King 571-214-3117 Alicia_f_king@fws.gov Craig Rieben 703-358-2225 Craig_Rieben@fws.gov The 2010 preliminary estimate of the total duck population from the traditio...
Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Utah Have Weatherized Over 9,000 Homes with Recovery Act Backing WASHINGTON - The D.O.E. announced today that 5 more states have reached a significant milestone under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - completing weatherization work for in excess of 30 percent of the homes they have planned. Now that New Hampshire, New Mexico, Montana, Minnesota, and Utah have each met this target, along with complet...
Contacts Martin Miller 413-253-8615; Michael Amaral 603-223-2541; Diana Weaver 413-253-8329 The U.S.F.W.S. has denied a petition seeking to designate gray wolves in 5 northeast states - Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont - as a distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act because there is no evidence that a wolf popul...
WASHINGTON - The D.O.E. announced today that 34 plans in 27 states have been selected to gain $29 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to develop and expand weatherization training centers across the country. These plans will provide green job training for local workers in energy efficiency retrofitting and weatherization services. With this training, skilled workers can help expand the use of energy efficient practices in America's homes and businesses...
May 24, 2010
Contacts Craig Rieben 703-358-2225 craig_rieben@fws.gov The U.S.F.W.S. announced today that nearly $5 million in grants will be going to 6 state fish and wildlife agencies to help conserve and recover Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) through the State Wildlife Grants (SWG) C...
"Conserving the Hollowed Ground" plan earns President's Environmental Youth Award for advancing the conservation of cave environments (Denver, Colo. - May 20, 2010) E.P.A. Administrator Lisa P. Jackson acknowledged students from northwest Montana's Bigfork High School at the 2009 President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) ceremony today. The students were acknowledged for their commitment to cave conservation and awareness on nearby federal lands, including Gl...
News Release May 19, 2010 Contact: Georgia Parham 812-334-4261 x 1203 Georgia_Parham@fws.gov Vanessa Kauffman 703-358-2138 vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov U.S.F.W.S. Celebrates Endangered Species Day 5 years ago, the U.S. Senate designated the 3rd...
Contacts Rachel Levin 703-358-2405 rachel_levin@fws.gov Vanessa Kauffman 703-358-2138 vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov The U.S.F.W.S. to...
Bridger Photonics' hand-held sensor will advance Coloradotwo monitoring capabilities (Denver, Colorado - May 12, 2010) The E.P.A. (EPA) has awarded $345,000 to Bridger Photonics, Incorporated of Bozeman, Mont. to develop a compact carbon dioxide sensor for on-site monitoring and spatial mapping. "Bridger Photonics is part of an emerging breed of Montana businesses that are poised to help meet a growing demand fo...
E.P.A. chooses remedies to clean up 2 key properties (Denver, Colo. - May 11, 2010) Records of Decisions for Operable Units one & two (the former W.R. Grace Export and Screening plants) at the Libby Asbestos Superfund Location in Libby, Mont., were signed Monday by Richard Opper, Director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and Carol Campbell, Assistant Regional Administrator for Ecosystems Protection in EPA's Region 8. These Records of Decisi...
Contacts Michael Mascari, (303) 236-4336, michael_mascari@fws.gov Forrest Senterfeit (800) 735-7095, f.senterfeit@mcs-environmental.comBill West, Refuge Manager (406) 276-3536 ex. 302bill_west@fws.g...
Contact: Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797 David Lungren David_Lungren@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-5642 Inhofe Will Continue to Press E.P.A. on Lead Rule Education Needed on Rule's Implementation, Impacts on Jobs and Homeowners WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-Ok...
Washington, DC - Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed 3 pieces of legislation, including bills to restore Lake Tahoe, protect migratory birds, and create a museum dedicated to women's history. The committee also passed several Army Corps of Engineers study resolutions and General Services Administration (GSA) prospectuses. The measures were approved by voice vote and will now go to the full Senate for consideration. Senator Barbara Box...
Energy, agribusiness top potential diversification list
By Erin Madison, Great Falls Tribune, 7/23/2009
The total economic impact of losing Malmstrom's 564th Missile Squadron in July 2007 is more than $30 million, but the Sweet Grass region holds potential to diversify its economy through energy and agribusiness as well as other means.
Those were the findings of a 12-month study funded by the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Montana Department of Commerce with the goal of helping the Sweet Grass area, which includes Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties, weather the loss of the 50 missiles and 550 personnel. The Sweet Grass region has potential in the energy sector to offer wind energy and wind firming energy as well as renewable diesel.
Montana forests get $10 million for projects
By The Montana Standard Staff, 7/21/2009
HELENA—National forests in Montana are slated to get about $10.1 million in federal stimulus money for facilities and trails, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday.
The money is part of the $274 million set aside in the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress earlier this year for these uses. The money will go for projects on U.S. Forest Service lands in 32 states. "The Recovery Act projects we're announcing today are central to creating jobs and building a better, stronger economy in the future," Vilsack said in a press release.
We must pave the way on climate change action
By David McGinnis, Cathy Whitlock, Steve Running, and Jedediah Brodie, Great Falls Tribune, 7/20/2009
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a landmark climate and energy bill, making a critical first step in addressing the threats that the United States faces from the ever-increasing impacts of global warming that we scientists have repeatedly warned about for decades — but it is only a first step.
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The urgency of this long-awaited action was underscored in a multi-agency report released by the administration last month which provided the first nationwide snapshot of our vulnerability to climate change since 2001, and represents the best available climate science in the United States.
Localvores: Movement to buy Montana products helps boost agricultural economy
By Nick Gevock, Montana Standard, 7/18/2009
Tammy Hinman, an agricultural specialist for NCAT in Butte, says she prefers to buy local produce, and will spend extra for it. For Lori Stiffler, a few extra dollars spent to buy locally grown vegetables at the Butte Farmers' Market is well worth it.
The produce and other foods there are of great quality, she said. And the 55-year-old Butte resident said she feels safer knowing the fruits and vegetables she's eating are grown in Montana and not trucked hundreds, if not thousands, of miles.
Watts of savings
By Martin J. Kidston, Independent Record, 7/17/2009
Eliza Wiley Independent Record - Jack Isbell, with Solar Montana, uses a solar pathfinder to analyze the amount of light that can be harnessed from the roof of Helena Housing Authority’s administration building.
The Helena Housing Authority expects to save $2.4 million in utility costs over the next 15 years after it completes an energy upgrade of its 366 city housing units.
The project marks the first “performance contract” with a public housing authority in Montana and will allow HHA to reduce energy and water costs and apply the savings to repay the project loan.
NCAT releases new climate change publication
Addressing climate change can reduce energy costs, create green jobs in Montana
BUTTE, Mont. — The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is relea
sing a new climate change publication that highlights ways Montana consumers can address climate change while reducing energy costs and creating green jobs.
The publication, titled Changing climate, Changing future, is a guide to climate change in Montana and smart ways we all can act now to preserve our state for tomorrow’s generation.
Changing climate, Changing future details the work of the Montana Climate Change Advisory Committee, a group established by Gov. Brian Schweitzer in 2005 to study the effects of climate change in Montana and develop recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, are a major cause of climate change.
Changing climate, Changing future features dozens of resources to help Montanans reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. From ways to slash home heating bills to ideas for squeezing the most out of a gallon of gas, the resources will also help Montanans save money by using less energy.
In 2007, the Climate Change Advisory Committee produced a 450-page report with 54 recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Montana. Changing climate, Changing future provides a sampling of these recommendations, along with several success stories of Montanans already acting to reduce their own emissions.
Download Changing climate, Changing_future.[PDF/6.3MB]
Download the full Advisory Committee Report
