Climate Change Legislation: Montana

After reading this, you may wonder what the policies with your state are. I urge everyone, if you're not sure about what specific actions your state is set to take on the issue, to

• become informed by checking your state government's web page for policy directions and current choices.

• inform your state governor's office that the Montana Climate Change Action Plan sets specific measures to combat climate change; measures that you would like to see enacted (if you're not already satisfied with their action).

For those of you who may read this and think-- "Why is the "red-state" of Montana so environmentally progressive?" My assessment is that after seeing Conservative Governors dominate mal-public policy since 1988, Montanans were able to balance the pros and cons of out-of-state entrepreneurs and in-state profiteers unconcerned with the public good. In an ideal world, the public would vote for a Democratic cowboy who's policies could potentially reshape the mismanagement of resources. But I won't put my chickens where too many eggs won't hatch and I'll play it safe with-- Montanans changed the Conservative trend, because it was a path to economic peril.

Energy deregulation in 1997 and reducing the coal severance tax since 1988, which had been set up in Western states to offset environmental damage and effectively export the tax to natural resource developers in other states, since 1988 were atrocious public policies.

"One lesson is that deregulation or restructuring in fact requires a very active and vigilant regulator," Bob Rowe, Montana's Public Service Commission chairman, said. Recently I was told that deregulation in Montana gave Montanans a heightened trust and interest in the commission that oversees NorthWestern Energy. It makes a lot of sense to me that Progressives like my parents have become more active scrutinizers of energy policy. And I can't believe that it's simply my parents or even my neighbors who are becoming involved in the debate.

Citizens in Maryland, or at least the consumer advocates that represent their interests, realize what is at stake. "It is high time that we restore public accountability in the electric utility system and force the utility companies to make smarter decisions about energy resources. Some solutions are long-term and others are available now," states Johanna Neumann of Maryland PIRG Policy Advocate.

Most Montanans are on the beat now that their power bills have soared. In my mother's case, the bill never surpassed $100, but this month it was pushing $300. But this isn't about my mother-- it's about the working-class citizens who, by the time retirement comes, must decide between heat or nourishment.

Energy regulation is just one part of public accountability we must press hard for this election season. Ensuring climate change legislation is specific and shaping it to reflect your knowledge of the subject is another. hopefully I'm doing part of my job right by filling out this survey.

To conclude his email Bob Clark writes,This will be the only opportunity for the public to voice their opinion. On behalf of the future generations, thank you very much!

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