Deadline for comments has passed and little has been heard from the Council since. We will keep you posted as soon as we know. One would think you can still e-mail or send comments. 

Comments may be submitted by email to ClimateCouncil@mt.gov

or by mail to Montana DEQ c/o Rebecca Harbage/Director's Office, P.O. Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620-0901.

Comments submitted will be made public along with the names of the commenters. 

Suggested Talking Points

There are a lot of talking points because the plan is extensive. Please choose the points you feel strongly about and write them in your own words. Thanks so much for taking a moment for the planet in this uncertain time.

• The Governor appointed Climate Council does not speak for or represent Montana. Recommendations should hold no more weight than public comment. The ideas formulated by the group should be treated as one voice just like form letters generated from non-profits.
• Climate Council recommendations should not supersede the best available science. The Montana Climate Solutions Plan alarmingly states that, “sound science and information alone are insufficient to effectively manage climate-related risks” instead it seeks to respond “to the needs of government agencies, tribal nations, land managers, business owners, non-profits, and individuals” (page 3 Montana Climate Solutions Plan MCSP). Economic needs of current industry should not take precedence over sound science and economic predictions.
• Implementing statewide building codes that require energy efficiency as recommended on p. 9 is a great idea. Please also encourage electricity conservation by implementing a structure that increases rates with increasing use.
•  Thanks for recommending low emission standards for vehicles, you should also implement more stringent mileage standards and reduce speed limits.
• Thank you for recommending an increase in the allowable size for solar generating systems. Solar electricity is good for everybody (except Northwestern Energy’s stockholders and executives), and should be encouraged as much as possible.
• The Council’s goal to achieve net greenhouse gas neutrality is essential, but your recommendations do not reflect this goal. What about promoting rooftop solar by offering stronger tax incentives and retain the current net metering program. If the basic service charge is inadequate, an increase for all customers to cover that cost is in order.
• The current economy must change in reaction to climate change. Council membership is heavily weighted towards status quo economic concerns and very light on scientists and economists. The result is the council emphasizes maintaining and increasing natural resource extraction (agriculture, logging, and mining) rather than helping the economy adapt to changing demands and climate change.
• Under “Guiding Principles for Effective Climate Adaption” the document states, “Montana agencies, communities and stakeholders should approach climate change and its impacts with an understanding of the state’s geography, culture, history, economy, and resources.” The document is resisting change when change is exactly what is needed to reduce global warming and mitigate its impact on Montana’s citizens.
• The plan moves decision-making from fact to “feelings and beliefs” in a recommendation stating, “Prioritize and conduct research with University Social Scientists to better understand the climate information needs of agricultural producers, forest land managers, tourism and recreation businesses, state, local and tribal governments and other stakeholders in Montana.”
• The council should eliminate coal-fired electricity generation in Montana, provide job training, and support green energy solutions to diversify changing local economies.
• Please remove any consideration of biofuels which have been shown to emit more carbon than coal when the entire production and transportation process involved is considered.
• Logging/deforestation has been found by many studies to produce more atmospheric carbon than almost any other activity, including wildfire. Yet on p. 6, Council recommends implementing “active management across ownership boundaries to reduce wildfire risks and sustain watershed functions as identified in Montana’s updated Forest Action Plan”. You need to back up this recommendation with recent science. The Forest Action Plan is still to be seen and created by another politically appointed, industry heavy collaborative.
• The “active forest management” recommended by the Council should be restricted to the areas immediately surrounding homes, which is supported by science.
• On p. 7-8, you recommend building “resilience” of forests, rangelands, wildlife, and “working landscapes”. Resilience is a buzzword used to justify deforestation. A better approach would be to promote adaptation to a new climate. And, while producing some wood products will always be a necessity, science makes it clear that their production does not enhance carbon storage.
• The livestock industry steals huge amounts of water from streams that are warming and drying up. Grazing degrades riparian areas and spreads cheatgrass that increases wildfire risk. Please promote measures that allow buyouts of grazing allotments and retirement of irrigation rights to boost streamflow. This will protect fisheries and tourism.
• It is not enough to “ensure that local governments have access to updated information…on floodplains and wildfire-prone areas” (p. 4). Good zoning regulations can prevent houses from burning or flooding.
• Carbon capture is probably the most expensive way to reduce atmospheric carbon and will encourage the continued consumption of fossil fuels. It is only one small tool and should not supersede more productive long-term changes.
• The reaction to Covid-has drastically reduced the worlds carbon footprint.  If we and our governments pay attention, a lot can be learned about how Montana can and should deal with the effects of climate change.
• Other ideas not considered in the recommendations:
  • Encourage families to have less children. This could be accomplished by eliminating tax exemptions for children beyond two with a goal of zero population growth.
  • Remove or decrease subsidies for resource extraction to bolster the cleaner economies that are developing.
  • Encouraging remote work where possible (telecommuting) reduces fossil fuel use.
  • Promoting education on the best available science on climate change to all residents.
  • Eat less meat or none at all.
  • Grow food using less fertilizer and fossil fuels.
  • Mow lawns less often and do not use fertilizers or herbicides.
  • Governments at all levels should provide incentives and education to move the dominant culture away from consumption for the sake of consumption.