Renewables protect our homes and families

Most Montanans know that climate change is a real threat to our way of life and want something done to stop it.  Climate change is already causing frequent megafires, long periods of hazardous air quality, severe drought (and, ironically, worse flooding), and minimal snow.  These devastating impacts to our way of life will only increase as we delay the transition to renewable energy. Our outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing, safety and businesses will be deeply impacted. (Billings Gazette, October 2023 and Economic Impacts of Climate Change, Power Consulting, Inc.)

Burning coal and methane for electricity generation contributes more carbon emissions than any other source in our state - more than all the vehicles on the road or all industry.  We have the technology available now to make the switch to more affordable, reliable, renewable energy.  Given the large amount of hydropower NWE acquired after deregulation, their portfolio is already 55% renewable.  Switching to 100% renewables in our grid would cut our entire state's greenhouse gas emissions from all sources by aproximately 30%.