MISSOULA – It’s been more action than talk in the last few weeks on the topic of climate change in Missoula County, and on Monday night the City of Missoula continued that commitment to going green.
City council members unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to move the city’s electricity to 100-percent clean, renewable sources by 2030.
There was some mixed emotions in the public comment portion of Monday night’s vote on the resolution, but Missoula City Council members voted in solidarity on the plan to become the first in Montana to move away from fossil fuels.
This is a formal commitment to renewable electricity, community-wide in the next ten years.
Many of those in opposition of the plan say they are being forced down a path with only one option. However, some on the city council argue it actually allows for more choices.
Missoula gets most of its electricity from Northwestern Energy, who is also paving a long-term plan for how they produce energy.
“The majority of our power comes from Northwestern Energy, and right now Northwestern Energy is trying to get a bill through the legislation that would allow them to buy another 150 mega-watts of coal power,” said Ward 5 council member Stacie Anderson. “That is moving in the exact opposite of what this resolution is trying to address!”
Missoula has now become one of 117 cities across the country to establish the 100 percent clean, renewable energy plan.
Many Missoula businesses are also on board with the plan, including Log Jam Productions, Missoula Federal Credit Union and St. Patrick Hospital.
