Better Idaho
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Issues
    • All Better Idaho Blog Democracy Education Environment Healthcare Jobs Justice Legislature Resistance Video
      Better Idaho Blog

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Democracy

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Democracy

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Democracy

      2019 Criminal Justice Lobby Day

      February 8, 2019

      Democracy

      ACLU OF IDAHO PREPARES FOR 2019 IDAHO LEGISLATIVE…

      February 5, 2019

      Democracy

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Democracy

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Democracy

      Happy 4th of July! Let’s fight voter suppression…

      July 3, 2017

      Democracy

      Senator Mike Crapo Called out at Healthcare Rally…

      June 29, 2017

      Education

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Education

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Education

      HEARD Act Threatens Public Lands

      February 8, 2019

      Education

      We Need Your Best Salmon and Steelhead Stories!

      February 8, 2019

      Education

      Funding Formula Draft Language, IEA President on KTVB’s…

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Environment

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Environment

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update : Wolves, Water and Wilderness

      February 9, 2019

      Environment

      We Need Your Best Salmon and Steelhead Stories!

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update: Busier by the day …

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Idaho’s Political Climate is Warming Too

      February 8, 2019

      Healthcare

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Healthcare

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Healthcare

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Healthcare

      This Weekend We Marched, Today We Call

      July 17, 2017

      Healthcare

      Senator Mike Crapo Called out at Healthcare Rally…

      June 29, 2017

      Healthcare

      #Imwithpride

      June 22, 2017

      Healthcare

      DEFCON ALERT: HEALTHCARE SCARE. ALL HANDS ON DECK

      June 13, 2017

      Healthcare

      Medicaid Matters – Congressional Reps. Need to Listen…

      June 5, 2017

      Jobs

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Jobs

      IDAHO LEGISLATURE ATTEMPTS TO END COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

      March 11, 2017

      Jobs

      Raise the wage or kowtow to the rich

      February 2, 2017

      Jobs

      Resist! Resist! Raise up your fists and your…

      January 20, 2017

      Jobs

      Not asking for the moon

      January 9, 2017

      Jobs

      March Sadness

      March 17, 2016

      Jobs

      Making it Rain; the Politicians Blocking a Minimum…

      February 9, 2016

      Justice

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Justice

      Legislative Update: Busier by the day …

      February 8, 2019

      Justice

      2019 Criminal Justice Lobby Day

      February 8, 2019

      Justice

      ACLU OF IDAHO PREPARES FOR 2019 IDAHO LEGISLATIVE…

      February 5, 2019

      Justice

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Justice

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Justice

      This Weekend We Marched, Today We Call

      July 17, 2017

      Justice

      Keep ICE out of Jerome

      July 14, 2017

      Legislature

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Legislature

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Legislature

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Legislature

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Resistance

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Resistance

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Resistance

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Resistance

      Keep ICE out of Jerome

      July 14, 2017

      Resistance

      DEFCON ALERT: HEALTHCARE SCARE. ALL HANDS ON DECK

      June 13, 2017

      Resistance

      STOP HB 198

      February 21, 2017

      Resistance

      Idaho students walk out to show support for…

      February 16, 2017

      Resistance

      Idahoans want a town hall to express concern…

      February 14, 2017

      Video

      Human Impact, Climate Change, and Raul Labrador

      April 27, 2017

      Video

      Idaho students walk out to show support for…

      February 16, 2017

      Video

      Idahoans want a town hall to express concern…

      February 14, 2017

      Video

      Refugees are welcome here – No Ban No…

      January 30, 2017

      Video

      Anti-immigration agenda in Idaho

      January 30, 2017

      Video

      Not asking for the moon

      January 9, 2017

      Video

      Bill Maher calls out Idaho

      October 24, 2016

      Video

      Skittles for everyone, taste the rainbow

      September 23, 2016

  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Donate

Better Idaho

  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Issues
    • All Better Idaho Blog Democracy Education Environment Healthcare Jobs Justice Legislature Resistance Video
      Better Idaho Blog

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Better Idaho Blog

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Democracy

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Democracy

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Democracy

      2019 Criminal Justice Lobby Day

      February 8, 2019

      Democracy

      ACLU OF IDAHO PREPARES FOR 2019 IDAHO LEGISLATIVE…

      February 5, 2019

      Democracy

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Democracy

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Democracy

      Happy 4th of July! Let’s fight voter suppression…

      July 3, 2017

      Democracy

      Senator Mike Crapo Called out at Healthcare Rally…

      June 29, 2017

      Education

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Education

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Education

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Education

      HEARD Act Threatens Public Lands

      February 8, 2019

      Education

      We Need Your Best Salmon and Steelhead Stories!

      February 8, 2019

      Education

      Funding Formula Draft Language, IEA President on KTVB’s…

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Environment

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Environment

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update : Wolves, Water and Wilderness

      February 9, 2019

      Environment

      We Need Your Best Salmon and Steelhead Stories!

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Legislative Update: Busier by the day …

      February 8, 2019

      Environment

      Idaho’s Political Climate is Warming Too

      February 8, 2019

      Healthcare

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Healthcare

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Healthcare

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Healthcare

      This Weekend We Marched, Today We Call

      July 17, 2017

      Healthcare

      Senator Mike Crapo Called out at Healthcare Rally…

      June 29, 2017

      Healthcare

      #Imwithpride

      June 22, 2017

      Healthcare

      DEFCON ALERT: HEALTHCARE SCARE. ALL HANDS ON DECK

      June 13, 2017

      Healthcare

      Medicaid Matters – Congressional Reps. Need to Listen…

      June 5, 2017

      Jobs

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Jobs

      IDAHO LEGISLATURE ATTEMPTS TO END COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

      March 11, 2017

      Jobs

      Raise the wage or kowtow to the rich

      February 2, 2017

      Jobs

      Resist! Resist! Raise up your fists and your…

      January 20, 2017

      Jobs

      Not asking for the moon

      January 9, 2017

      Jobs

      March Sadness

      March 17, 2016

      Jobs

      Making it Rain; the Politicians Blocking a Minimum…

      February 9, 2016

      Justice

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Justice

      Legislative Update: Busier by the day …

      February 8, 2019

      Justice

      2019 Criminal Justice Lobby Day

      February 8, 2019

      Justice

      ACLU OF IDAHO PREPARES FOR 2019 IDAHO LEGISLATIVE…

      February 5, 2019

      Justice

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Justice

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Justice

      This Weekend We Marched, Today We Call

      July 17, 2017

      Justice

      Keep ICE out of Jerome

      July 14, 2017

      Legislature

      Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE…

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      Public School Funding Formula still under construction

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

      February 20, 2019

      Legislature

      Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

      February 16, 2019

      Legislature

      Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail…

      February 15, 2019

      Legislature

      Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

      February 15, 2019

      Legislature

      Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula…

      February 9, 2019

      Resistance

      Idaho Values

      August 9, 2017

      Resistance

      ACTION: Resist attack on the disability community

      August 4, 2017

      Resistance

      This is No Time to Celebrate About Healthcare

      July 21, 2017

      Resistance

      Keep ICE out of Jerome

      July 14, 2017

      Resistance

      DEFCON ALERT: HEALTHCARE SCARE. ALL HANDS ON DECK

      June 13, 2017

      Resistance

      STOP HB 198

      February 21, 2017

      Resistance

      Idaho students walk out to show support for…

      February 16, 2017

      Resistance

      Idahoans want a town hall to express concern…

      February 14, 2017

      Video

      Human Impact, Climate Change, and Raul Labrador

      April 27, 2017

      Video

      Idaho students walk out to show support for…

      February 16, 2017

      Video

      Idahoans want a town hall to express concern…

      February 14, 2017

      Video

      Refugees are welcome here – No Ban No…

      January 30, 2017

      Video

      Anti-immigration agenda in Idaho

      January 30, 2017

      Video

      Not asking for the moon

      January 9, 2017

      Video

      Bill Maher calls out Idaho

      October 24, 2016

      Video

      Skittles for everyone, taste the rainbow

      September 23, 2016

  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Donate
Better Idaho BlogEnvironmentFrom Your Community

Idaho’s Political Climate is Warming Too

by Kevin Kelpe February 8, 2019
February 8, 2019
Idaho’s Political Climate is Warming Too
Share
Tweet
Pin
+1
Share
0 Shares

This article originally appeared on the Idaho Conservation League Blog on January 31, 2019

We welcome Governor Little’s call to action that Idahoans must step up to address climate change. You can make a difference too with simple actions at home and in your community.

As the polar vortex descends upon the Midwest, it is important to distinguish between the weather we see out the window and the climate we rely upon over the long term. Carbon pollution from fossil fuels is warming our globe, which is causing our climate to change.  This change means the weather we recall from the past will be very different in the future.

Fortunately for Idaho, Governor Little understands this. Addressing climate change recently he said, “I mean, I’m old enough that I remember feeding cows all winter long in deep snow … boy, back in the old days when I was a kid, we had winters.” Beyond simply recognizing the changing reality, the Governor emphasized to the crowd that Idaho must take action. “We’ve just got to figure out how we’re going to cope with it. And we’ve got to slow it down. Now, reversing it is going to be a big darn job.”

ICL welcomes this leadership and we look forward to expanding our climate work.

You Can Protect Idaho

There are many ways you can get involved and speak up for conservation in Idaho. Wildlife will be dramatically impacted by the changes to our climate. Here are two opportunities to speak up for wildlife right away:

  1. To cope with the impacts of climate change we advocate for wilderness designations and other land protections so wildlife and fish can move into more suitable habitats. Submit a comment to the Salmon-Challis National Forest and let them know you value natural landscapes and wildlife habitat.
  2. Idaho is home to the best salmon and steelhead habitat in the world. But these fish are struggling due to warming water in the lower Snake River.  Tell Governor Little to stand up for Idaho’s salmon and steelhead heritage.

Replace Fossil Fuels with Clean Energy

To slow down climate change we must eliminate fossil fuels from our electricity, heating and transportation systems. Today, Idaho relies on out-of-state fossil fuels for almost half our electricity and all of our transportation fuels. That means we spend almost $4 billion annually importing dirty fuels. Instead, we can invest our energy dollars in Idaho’s clean sources. ICL directly engages with electric utilities and regulators to retire coal plants, invest in Idaho’s clean energy sources and electrify transportation.

And we are winning.

As I wrote last month, in 2018 coal lost and clean energy continued to grow across the country.

This trend is continuing in 2019. Jan. 30, 2019 marks the last day for the Naughton 3 coal unit in Wyoming. Angus Thermer captures the overall trend in a single sentence, “Restrictions imposed by the Clean Air Act, state regulations, an abundant supply of natural gas, new solar and wind power sources and customer preferences set the industrial complex on its heels.” Now PacifiCorp’s energy is a little bit cleaner while customers continue to enjoy reliable, fair priced energy.

More coal plants will close in 2019. 

Westmoreland coal supplies the Colstrip plant in Montana paid for in part by Avista customers in Idaho. Westmoreland is bankrupt and looking to sell the mine. At the same time, they are trying to extinguish contracts with union workers in order to pay executive bonuses. And, concerning for Idahoan’s, Westmoreland is trying to make utilities like Avista pay much, much more for coal. ICL is on the case and educating state regulators and Avista customers about the ongoing risks of coal and our vast clean energy options.

In a sign of the times, Avista is also developing new partnerships and tools to help customers with energy conservation and distributed clean energy projects. We are encouraged to see this kind of innovation. This is the future of our clean energy economy.

In a sign of the times, Avista is also developing new partnerships and tools to help customers with energy conservation and distributed clean energy projects. We are encouraged to see this kind of innovation. This is the future of our clean energy economy.

Be a Climate Hero

We welcome Governor Little’s call to action that Idahoans must step up to address climate change. Join our climate protection team with simple actions at home and in your community.

  • At home: Every light switch and thermostat gives you a chance to directly reduce carbon pollution. Turn off the lights in empty rooms. Turning the thermostat one degree reduces energy use by one percent. You have the power and collectively this makes a large impact.
  • In your community: Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do simple things at home to save energy and voice support for clean energy. Also, share your story! We’d love to hear from you about what you’ve done to save energy in your own life. Have you made energy-saving changes at home or work? Does your employer engage with energy savings programs, or is your school, neighborhood, or community doing innovative energy savings tactics? We want to hear about it! Send me an email or tag us on social media with your energy stories!
by Ben Otto
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest

You may also like

Cleaning the Grid and Electrifying Everything

February 20, 2019

ACLU OF IDAHO COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO SENATE...

February 20, 2019

Public School Funding Formula still under construction

February 20, 2019

IDAHO LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

February 20, 2019

Legislative Update: Don’t Blink!

February 16, 2019

Is Idaho’s Largest Lake Ready for Another Rail...

February 15, 2019

Snake River Water Quality in the Spotlight

February 15, 2019

Joint Education Committees Get Feedback on Funding Formula...

February 9, 2019

Legislative Update : Wolves, Water and Wilderness

February 9, 2019

HEARD Act Threatens Public Lands

February 8, 2019

Better Idaho on Twitter

Better Idaho @BetterIdaho 15 days ago
Elected officials shouldn’t be allowed to pick their voters—voters should pick their elected officials. #idleg #idpol https://t.co/jkjC74G8cl
4 8
Better Idaho @BetterIdaho 27 days ago
Alexa, play "thank u, next" https://t.co/NeGeuhleKQ
1

Coverage

2016 Election 2017 Legislature aclu civil rights Climate Change conservation league conservation voters of idaho Crapo Democracy DeVos Education Election Environment fish Foreman Halloween healthcare Idaho idpol IEA Immigration Jobs Justice labor labor day Labrador Lands Legislature Love Manwaring Montana Peace protest Public lands Racism Raul Labrador Risch Ryan Zinke Scott Simpson Spooky Trump Trump Resistance Justice video Vote
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
Footer Logo

Copyright (c) 2018 - Better Idaho. All Right Reserved.


Back To Top