Annual Meeting Totem pole Insert inside n Summary of keynote, panel discussions n Dedication at Home on the Range Rural Power Campaign n Annual award winners n What the symbols mean n Cleaner, cheaper, faster energy for co-ops n Fun at the silent auction n Annual Meeting panel - tribal solidarity n How to get involved THE PLAINS TRUTH VOICE OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL VVolumeolume 4 45,4, Issue Issue 4, 1, A Winterutumn 20162015 Inside: Arch Coal n A word from our Chair...Page 2 n People of the Plains – Alaina Buffalo Spirit...... 3 declares n Why I'm a Monthly Sustainer – Deborah and Terry Hanson...3 bankruptcy n Judge sides with Northern Plains over mine expansion..4 he proposed developer of the n Decline of Coal (a series).....4 Otter Creek mine in southeastern Honor n Interior pushes pause on TMontana entered Chapter 11 federal coal leases...... 5 bankruptcy on Jan. 11. the n Keystone XL, trade deal still Arch Coal Inc. is the second-largest U.S. could cost U.S...... 6 Earth coal company and is the sole owner of n Coal briefs...... 6 Otter Creek Coal LLC, which has been Tongue River rancher and n MDU drops plan to punish trying for years to obtain a mining permit 7 Northern Plains solar users...... to open the Otter Creek mine. Vice Chair Jeanie n SPA submits citizen-initiated Alderson admires zoning to county...... 7 “This bankruptcy a beautiful 22- n Totem pole dedicated; what casts doubt on foot cedar totem pole that was symbols mean...... 8 three major projects that affect eastern carved by the n Montanans testify against Lummi Nation increased oil trains...... 9 Montana,” said Mark for members of Fix, a Northern n Oil & gas spill map online...... 9 the Northern Plains Past Chair who Cheyenne as a n 10-13 Annual Meeting panels.. farms and ranches sign of solidarity n Annual award winners...... 12 Mark Fix for treaty rights on the Tongue River and against coal n 2015 resolutions...... 12-13 downstream from the proposed Otter exports. n YVCC helps Billings library Creek mine. Fix also could be crossed After making achieve Platinum rating...... 14 by the proposed Tongue River Railroad, a 1,300 mile n Council Roundup...... 14-15 journey from Continued on Page 4 the coast of Washington, the After 13 years, EPA OKs Montana totem pole was dedicated at water standards to protect ag Northern Plains' n December, the Environmental Protection Agency Home on the announced formal approval of Montana’s state water Range in Billings on Jan. 22. quality standards for salinity in southeastern Montana I Northern Plains waterways. will host the totem The approval is the culmination of a 13-year process. In 2002, pole until it finds a Northern Plains Resource Council, Tongue River Water Users permanent home Association, and the Tongue & Yellowstone Irrigation District on the Northern Cheyenne petitioned the State of Montana to establish salinity standards Reservation. for the Tongue River, Powder River, Little Powder River, Rosebud Creek, and their tributaries. See story and an explanation The organizations filed the petition after wastewater discharges of some of the totem symbols Continued on Page 4 on Page 8.

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 1 TO THE MEMBERS PEOPLE OF THE PLAINS A long struggle, yet moving forward Alaina Buffalo Spirit speaks up for homeland hen Alaina Buffalo Spirit was only 3, her grandmother consider myself a lucky person and, in in such deep and complex fights. These are that are aiming to export coal to Asia. You can boiled a meadowlark and fed it to her. She doesn’t keeping with that theme, I’m stepping not just trendy campaigns we picked up last search the Equally important are the other challenges remember eating it; she only remembers the story. Her into the Northern Plains Board Chair year. Northern Plains fights for deeply held W world and I emerging on the horizon. The threats of mother used to tell her that her grandmother’s twin daughters boiled role during what I believe is a time of success values, and these campaigns can become very you will never increased oil exports and the disastrous a meadowlark and fed it to Alaina to make her well-spoken and for our organization. We are gaining ground in long and very taxing. find” another proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership have articulate. campaigns we have worked on for years, and Birney Divide, We are enjoying a great deal of traction grave implications for Montanans. As usual, it’s been tremendous to see the momentum It must have worked, for Alaina communicates in Cheyenne and in today because so many volunteers and Northern Plains is already waging complex and or another growing over the last six months. English at public hearings, on newspaper opinion pages, through staffers have dedicated time, sweat, and effective campaigns to prevent these proposals Tongue paintings, prayers, and ledger art. The Tongue River Railroad, a heart to campaigns that must have seemed from harming family-based farms and ranches River…. I stand up wanting to threat hanging over the heads of overwhelming for years. It’s easy to be a part and our precious natural resources. Alaina grew up on her family’s land along the Tongue River, protect the air, so many ranchers and communities of a campaign on the upswing. But it takes downstream of Birney. She spoke Cheyenne exclusively until she went Environmental scientist Donella Meadows the land, the in that watershed, looks as though real courage to dig in when the road is dark to school; she remembers admiring the designs around the top of the once wrote that, “There is too much bad news water because it may be stopped in its tracks. and you feel you might be alone for quite classroom. “I thought they were so pretty,” she said. “A little later I medicine. Her paintings are full of Cheyenne designs, plants native to justify complacency. There is too much those things We know it has stopped before, a while. Today’s upswing didn’t happen by learned they were the English alphabet.” to Cheyenne country (and poppies, because Alaina thinks they’re good news to justify despair.” These words though, and that we must kill this chance – it truly is the result of so many beautiful), meadowlarks, magpies, teepees, and horses. are who we ring in my head often because it reminds destructive proposal once and for people working diligently for years before ‘Leaves Behind Woman’ are. me of the balance Northern Plains strikes Her love of her family, her home, her people’s history, and her art are all. The Arch Coal bankruptcy I, and many other people, even heard of – Alaina Buffalo between optimism and concern, between Alaina’s Cheyenne name is Tanotse. It means “Leaves Behind all related to why she’s a member of Northern Plains. confirms what we at Northern Northern Plains. Spirit ambitious leaps and deliberative procedure. Woman.” Plains have argued for 40 years I am also moved by how we are choosing to An awakening – that the coal industry is not the long-term There is another balance I feel Northern She was diagnosed with cancer in 2000. “At first, it’s devastating and look forward. When Otter Creek, the Tongue economic powerhouse it purports to be. Plains strikes, and that is remembering our you think you’re gonna die,” she said. But she remembered the advice Alaina joined Northern Plains four years ago when, as she puts it, she River Railroad, and the coal export terminals history, staying engaged in the present, and of her grandfather, a Cheyenne healer, who told her to “take the best “woke up.” She was walking along the Tongue River – the same place It was exciting news that the Department of are stopped in their tracks, it does not mean looking forward with our ambitious plans. As of the two worlds.” She underwent chemotherapy and held Cheyenne where she was fed the meadowlark. Admiring the beauty there, she the Interior has begun a Programmatic EIS we walk away from coal. There are so many we accrue even more wins and build forward ceremonies to help her heal. The cancer eventually went away. thought of her home and her family, especially her grandchildren, and on the federal coal leasing program! This is a ways in which the industry has pushed its momentum, our history has proven that we realized that she had a duty to work to protect Cheyenne lands for the huge win in a campaign we’ve been fighting social and environmental costs onto the Alaina’s son John died in 2002, and she took in his two young children. will remember what got us here and that we sake of her family. “I woke up because I felt like I had to speak up for for decades. Montana public; to that end, we are fighting to will keep riding on. my homeland.” reform the federal coal program, to preserve “Raising my grandkids is what pulled me through that grief,” she What I’ve always loved most about this our state’s strong water quality standards, and – Kate French recalled. Today, both grandchildren are grown up and flourishing on That desire is evident in her work with Northern Plains. In just four organization is the persistence of our people to prevent the expansion of existing mines Northern Plains Chair the West Coast. years, she has traveled to Washington, D.C., twice to lobby against the proposed Tongue River Railroad, has spoken at Northern Plains The Plains Truth During the time she was raising Keoni (grandson) and Kahelelani The Plains Truth is published by Northern Plains events around the state, testified to the Surface Transportation Board, (granddaughter), Alaina began to draw and paint. “I realized you could Resource Council. Northern Plains members receive and been published extensively on the opinion pages of Montana The Plains Truth as one of the benefits of membership. use art as therapy,” Alaina said. Membership Dues newspapers. $500+ Riders of the Big Sky $50 Range Rider Many Montanans know Alaina for her ledger art, a form started “You can search the world and you will never find another Birney $200 Bottom Line Rider $40 General Member after 1860 using ledger pages from accounting books. Ledger art has $100 Rough Rider $15-$39 Living Lightly Divide, or another Tongue River… I stand up wanting to protect the traditionally been dominated by male artists; the subject matter is www.northernplains.org Endowment air, the land, the water because those things are who we are.” typically war, warriors, and fighting. But Alaina decided to paint about Northern Plains Resource Council is a grassroots conservation and family agriculture group. Northern Plains organizes The Northern Plains Endowment is a permanent fund established to help sustain Northern Plains’ work Montana citizens to protect our water quality, family farms, and unique quality of life. what Cheyenne women were doing in the late 19th Century. Her art into the future. If you want to make a donation, includes women making shoes and bags, caring for babies, and making Northern Plains Board of Directors a memorial gift, or a bequest to this fund, please – Colin Lauderdale contact the Northern Plains office. Chair Vice Chair Secretary Northern Plains Staff Kate French, Bozeman Jeanie Alderson, Birney Beth Kaeding, Bozeman Staff Director: Teresa Erickson Development Coordinator: Steve Paulson Treasurer Assistant Secretary Assistant Treasurer Why I’m a Monthly Sustainer: Deborah and Terry Hanson Director of Organizing and Campaigns: Becky Mitchell, Billings Cindy Webber, Big Timber Ed Gulick, Billings What will your Olivia Stockman Splinter eborah Hanson and her “When monthly giving was proposed Past Chair Deputy Director of Organizing: Svein Newman Political Organizer: Adam Haight husband, Terry Hanson, have to us, it was a perfect opportunity Steve Charter, Shepherd D legacy be? Organizers: Maggie Zaback, Alicia Pettys, been Northern Plains members since to invest in Northern Plains without at-large board members Hannah Hostetter, Colin Lauderdale, Ella Smith, yramids rising in the desert ... paintings Cameron Clevidence the early 70s, active leaders in our having to think about it every Kathy Sikorski, Willard Janet McMillan, Greenough Jean Lemire Dahlman, Forsyth Walter Archer, Olive Grassroots Fundraiser: Caleb Lande oil and gas, coal, and Tongue River month.” Pon a cave wall ... great works of science Communications Coordinator: Larry Winslow and literature ... all reflect people’s common AFFILIATE board members Office Manager: Karen Olson Railroad work throughout that time. Bear Creek Council Central Montana Sleeping Giant Citizens Council Comptroller: Paula Berg Many of our monthly sustainers yearning to say, “I was here; my life was Nathan Varley, Gardiner Resource Council Mike Lee, Helena Technical Assistant: Kristal McKamey “We truly believe in investing in share similar sentiments on the ease important. I made a difference.” Jesuit Volunteer: Julia Kehoe Roger Lohrer, Lewistown groups, especially this organization, and convenience of monthly giving. Beartooth Alliance Noel Birkland, Lewistown Stillwater Protective Western Organization of Resource Councils A permanent endowment fund can Nellie Israel, Joliet Association Northern Plains is a founding member of the Western that fight for our values and that Moreover, it reduces the number of continue to make a difference – in your Dawson Resource Council Charles Sangmeister, Nye Organization of Resource Councils. WORC is a have always had a really great plan for renewal letters we have to send, and Bull Mountain Land Alliance regional network of eight grassroots community Dennis Getz, Glendive Bill Hand, Nye organizing local citizens and taking evens out our cash flow to ensure name – for Northern Plains Resource Ellen Pfister, Shepherd Seth Newton, Glendive organizations that include 12,200 members in seven Council and the people we serve. Steve Charter, Shepherd Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council Western states. WORC helps its member groups grassroots action,” said Deborah. we can respond quickly as new McCone Agricultural Catherine Logan, Emigrant succeed by providing training and coordinating regional issue campaigns. Visit WORC at www.worc.org. Deborah Hanson challenges arise. We would be glad to give you more Carbon County Resource Council Protection Organization Joan Kresich, Livingston “We think Northern Plains is the best Bill DeGroot, Red Lodge Charlie Yarger, Circle Northern Plains Resource Council organization in Montana: always well-researched, with Join Deborah and Terry as Monthly Sustainers! Call information about charitable gifts and the Becky Grey, Red Lodge Yellowstone Valley 220 South 27th Street, Suite A, Billings, MT 59101 most advantageous ways to make them. Rosebud Protective Association Citizens Council Tel: (406) 248-1154 Fax: (406) 248-2110 a great trained staff, who is very good at organizing Caleb Lande at 406-248-1154 or email at Cottonwood Resource Council Clint McRae, Forsyth Stuart Shay, Billings Email: [email protected] local citizens to be engaged in the future of Montana.” [email protected]. Please call Steve Paulson at 406-248-1154. Website: www.northernplains.org – Julia Kehoe

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 2 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 3 LAND AND WATER LAND AND WATER Judge cites lack of reclamation at Spring Creek Mine Interior pushes pause on coal leases n Jan. 21, District Judge Susan surface waters for any areas in or around groups also asserted that the government failed Watters affirmed an October the mine. Of the more than 4,000 acres to require reclamation at the open pit mine and Oruling by U.S. Magistrate disturbed by the mine, only 15% have been failed to adequately look at air quality impacts. Program under scrutiny Judge Carolyn Ostby, who ruled that even partially reclaimed. None have met state “It’s imperative that we hold companies the Department of the Interior (DOI) standards for full reclamation. and the government accountable to the improperly granted Cloud Peak Energy a for undervalued sales, In addition to reclamation, the judges also law, especially when it comes to Montana’s permit to expand its Spring Creek mine in ruled that DOI failed to adequately look at working rural lands,” said Mark Fix, a past southeast Montana. Ostby ruled that the shorting U.S. taxpayers air quality and coal combustion impacts, and Chair of Northern Plains. “Spring Creek’s DOI approved the plan without examining that the agency improperly failed to notify the history of reclamation is poor and they whether Cloud Peak is meeting federal public before allowing expansion of the mine. shouldn’t expand to mine new publicly- n January, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that the requirements to reclaim mined lands. owned coal until they show they can put Department of the Interior is launching a comprehensive review Federal law requires coal companies Northern Plains Resource Council, the Western mined lands back into shape. Reclamation Iof the federal coal program. Organization of Resource Councils, and to restore lands as they mine. But coal means more jobs for Spring Creek miners The aim of this review is to ensure that the leasing of federal coal WildEarth Guardians sued the Department companies are notorious for failing to meet and restoring land to its productive use. It’s a provides a fair return to taxpayers and reflect its impacts on land, air, of Interior, claiming the department did not this requirement. Despite its 35 years of win-win, and we’re proud to fight for it.” and water. Jewell also announced that the Department will hold off adequately include the public in the mine operation, the Spring Creek Mine has failed on issuing new federal coal leases until the review is completed. This is permitting process. As mentioned above, the – Svein Newman to successfully re-establish ground and not the first moratorium on federal coal leasing. The practice mirrors two reviews of the federal coal program under the Nixon and Reagan administrations. by federal eminent domain to build a railroad, debt, not counting self-bonded reclamation Then-Northern Arch Coal even though the coal company that would obligations. Before bankruptcy, Arch was the Jewell’s decision comes after years of criticism from groups such as Plains Chair and use it just went bankrupt,” said Fix. “We’ve second-largest coal company in the country. Continued from Page 1 Northern Plains Resource Council, taxpayer watchdogs, members Action protects landowners rancher Steve called the Tongue River Railroad speculative It owns and operates the second-largest of Congress, and tens of thousands of citizens about federal Charter leads a which would condemn private ranch land to for a long time; this bankruptcy just proves U.S. mine, the Black Thunder near Gillette, mismanagement of taxpayer-owned coal. from unwanted strip mines rally in August of haul the mine’s coal. it.” Wyoming. Northern Plains ‘A clear accounting’ he Department of Interior’s Jan. 15 coal announcement members and “The mine, the railroad and the proposed Fix hopes that, as the company moves to Bankrupt Alpha cuts deal Talso featured an important new protection for the property allies. The action “More than 40 percent of all coal mined in America is owned by happened at the coal port in Longview, Washington, are all shed debts and obligations in bankruptcy, it rights of landowners whose farms, ranches, or homes face A similar company, Alpha Natural Resources, U.S. taxpayers. It is self-evident that America needs a coherent Bureau of Land in serious doubt now,” Fix said. “Montana will also choose to abandon its proposal for a condemnation for strip mining. Under current law, landowners entered bankruptcy earlier this year and is coal program and a clear accounting of the management of public Management should take this bankruptcy as a sign of the mine at Otter Creek. who own the surface above federally owned coal have a right to office in Billings currently in reorganization proceedings. resources,” said Steve Charter, Past Chair of Northern Plains who times, and make sure not to get in bed with say no to the strip mining of their land. (This right was won in the before a federal Drop Otter Creek plans! Alpha has used bankruptcy to cut a deal with ranches above an underground coal mine extracting federal coal. hearing on coal a coal company 1970s by the hard work of Northern Plains members and allies in Wyoming to pay for less than 15% of the leasing reforms. that can’t even “If they’re looking for projects that will “More than 15 investigations from both inside and outside other coalfield states.) However, those who reside above state- THE DECLINE OF COAL (a series) company’s reclamation obligations in that keep itself keep their costs down and will make them the government have found massive taxpayer losses from owned or privately owned coal have no such rights. state. It also has filed to permanently cut $2.8 afloat.” money, they should look somewhere other mismanagement. Public lands and resources should be managed for million in health and life insurance benefits In recent years, coal companies have sought swaps with the than Otter Creek. That coal is full of salty the public good. We’re glad to see the Administration take steps to The Otter Creek for 4,580 retirees, while paying out executive government to obtain key tracts of federal coal under private water and it needs a new rail line and another ensure a fair return to taxpayers on a resource we all own.” mine is the bonuses worth almost three times that landowners and open them up to mining against their will. When billion dollars of upfront investment before a sole potential amount for the next six months. the coal is swapped and goes under non-federal ownership, single ton can be sold,” said Fix. Listening sessions held customer for surface owners have lost their right to say no to strip mining. “I hope Arch uses this bankruptcy to uphold The announcement also follows a series of listening sessions held the proposed The federal government, in its analysis of the company’s obligations to its miners throughout the American West in 2015 in which Secretary Jewell Northern Plains members submitted extensive comments on this Tongue River the proposed railroad that would serve Otter and retirees, and to ensure that its mines called for an “open and honest conversation about modernizing the problem last year. We worked with a former state BLM director, Railroad, which Creek, gave the proposed mine a net negative across the country are reclaimed,” said Fix, federal coal program.” Roughly 50 Northern Plains members and a as well as U.S. Sen. Jon Tester and former Sen. John Walsh to prod Northern value due to a collapsing coal market, the “But that’s probably an optimistic view. handful of key experts testified at the August hearing in Billings, and Interior to protect private property rights. Interior listened, and its Plains has been poor quality of Otter Creek coal, and its The federal government should step in to hundreds of additional Montanans submitted written comments. announcement included a requirement that whenever federal coal fighting for 38 distance from domestic and international ensure that Arch doesn’t go the way of Northern Plains members testified at several other listening sessions, is traded, the landowner will always retain the right to say no to years. buyers. past bankrupt coal companies and abandon and traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby for reforms as well. strip mining. workers and the environment.” – Svein Newman “My ranch is As of September, Arch had $694.5 million in The review and moratorium will not impact current coal mining. – Colin Lauderdale still threatened cash reserves and approximately $5 billion in Nationwide, coal companies already have approximately 20 years becoming even worse by blocking companies from securing of coal reserves under lease and the moratorium doesn’t affect that. undervalued decades-long leases at taxpayer expense until the system Additionally, the announcement includes a provision that if any Northern Plains member who ranches Northern Plains Past Chair Mark Fix, who can be fixed. Water and irrigates along one of the impacted ranches on the Tongue River south of Miles mine gets within three years of running out of coal, they can get an Continued from Page 1 waterways. “Salty water kills crops, and the City. “As new polluting projects like the Otter emergency lease to ensure that the mine stays operational. Reclamation also to be re-examined damage salts do to soil can be permanent.” Creek coal mine get proposed, it’s absolutely The moratorium does, however, prevent a broken situation from In addition to taxpayer issues, the federal review poses the opportunity from coalbed methane development necessary that we have standards like these to The EPA approval backed scientific data to address a host of coal-related issues, including reclamation. Though degraded water quality and damaged irrigated protect downstream water users.” from the State of Montana and others current law requires coal companies to restore lands as they mine, soils, leading to severe decreases in crop Be sure to watch for updates as the Interior Department which found that the proposed limits were EPA approval provides significant currently only 46 of 450 square miles of mined land in Montana, yields. Some irrigators saw their yields drop kicks off public sessions in the next few months to help necessary to protect southeastern Montana ammunition to water users now fighting an Wyoming, and North Dakota have been fully reclaimed. For example, by more than 50%. determine the precise scope of its review. Interior will water for agricultural use. attempt to weaken the standards on Otter release an interim report by the end of the year with despite its 35 years of operation, the Spring Creek mine has failed to “This decision is an important victory Creek in order to prepare the way for coal re-establish ground and surface waters for a single acre of land in or “Agriculture is Montana’s number one conclusions and a preliminary result. The full review is for southeastern Montana agriculture,” mining. around the mine. economy,” said Tongue River irrigator and expected to take approximately three years. said Jeanie Alderson, a second-generation – Svein Newman – Svein Newman

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 4 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 5 LAND AND WATER LAND AND WATER COAL BRIEFS Victory! MDU agrees to drop Board urged to continue TRR application n December, Northern Plains and the Rocker Six Cattle Company made planned fee for solar customers Ia formal filing with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) opposing the Tongue River Railroad Company’s request to indefinitely suspend its application omeowners in eastern Montana Jean and Floyd Dahlman, Rosebud County to construct the Tongue River Railroad (TRR). They argued that the STB, which Threat to business will no longer face discriminatory ranchers and long-time MDU customers and issues or denies permits for new American railroads and generally oversees the rail fees if they choose to install solar. Northern Plains members, were among those Ben Reed saw the fee as discriminatory and a system, should instead deny the permit application. If permitted, the TRR would H threat to businesses like his. Reed pointed out MDU’s That’s because Montana-Dakota Utilities who spoke out against the fee. condemn up to 90 miles of working family farm and ranchland in southeastern (MDU) withdrew its plans to levy an extra that to-date, MDU only has four customers proposal Montana to build a new rail line intended to ship coal from the proposed Otter “The people won here today,” said Jean charge on customers with rooftop solar with on-site renewable energy systems. Reed would Creek coal mine to proposed Pacific Northwest coal export facilities. Dahlman. “This settlement proves that have shut arrays or small wind generators. is an energy and economics consultant, owner MDU’s proposed fee on customers who of Winpower West in Billings, and serves on down solar Landowners are concerned that freezing the permitting process dangles the threat ” MDU, which serves approximately 25,000 generate their own power was, in fact, the Northern Plains Clean Energy Task Force. businesses of eminent domain over their properties for potentially untold years to come. electric customers in eastern Montana, filed unjustified and unnecessary. Individuals have in eastern “MDU’s proposal would have shut down Montana “My family and our neighbors have been facing federal condemnation of our a proposal at the Montana Public Service the right to invest in small-scale wind or solar solar businesses in eastern Montana before before they private land for this speculative project for 38 years,” said Northern Plains Commission last July to raise rates 21 percent on their property without needless barriers. they even had a chance to set up shop,” said even had a member Clint McRae, whose ranch is crossed by up to 9 miles of the proposed for all customers. The proposed rate changes “We’ve been seriously considering an Reed. “We shouldn’t let a utility drive away chance to set railroad. “This latest delay by the TRR is the last straw. It is time to deny the also included an additional fee, called a demand investment in rooftop solar but MDU’s charge good-paying jobs and economic opportunity. up shop. Keystone XL, trade deal railroad permit. They have had ample time to prove a need for the railroad and charge, to penalize residential solar customers. would have made that investment impossible.” Also, a utility should not be allowed to have they have failed. An out-of-state corporation shouldn’t be able to threaten our – Ben Reed, could cost U.S. billions Nip it in the bud influence over energy choice by directly property rights on pure speculation.” solar business Many comments owner mericans came together to fight the Keystone This was the first time a Montana utility had targeting renewable energy systems with The proposal by MDU drew a notably high XL pipeline, shed light on the mess of the Landowners argue that even the threat of condemnation has a profound attempted to impose extra fees on the owners baseless fees or other charges.” number of public comments from people negative impact on their ranching operations, forcing them to delay or abandon of renewable energy systems. tar-sands, the false claims of jobs, and the Thanks to all who took action against MDU’s A important improvements like water pipelines, wells, irrigation systems, fence who were concerned that the fee would make environmental risks that it could bring to our country. In a settlement filed on Nov. 18, MDU investing in solar more costly. Commission proposal. The outcry of public opposition to Some of the broadest environmental organizing in networks, and more, out of concern that these expensive infrastructure projects withdrew the proposed solar fee. MDU staff received 115 comments by email the solar fee and the ultimate failure of the years helped stop the KXL. In the end, the president could be wiped out by the railroad. agreed to drop the solar charge in a opposing the charge and, at a September proposal should make other utilities think denied the pipeline, stating that it was not in “America’s – Svein Newman settlement with The Alliance for Solar Choice hearing in Miles City, eight people testified twice before they try to limit customers’ national interest.” (TASC), a national group that planned to file against the charge; many were Northern energy choices. A month later, TransCanada – a Canadian corporation Two coal companies pay to NOT export coal testimony at the commission questioning Plains members. The Commission received MDU’s proposal. no comments supporting the solar fee. – filed a complaint to the World Trade Organization, s if we needed another sign that coal export plans are speculative at best, – Alicia Pettys arguing that the denial of their permit violates the ACloud Peak Energy recently entered into a transportation agreement with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). BNSF Railway in which the coal company will pay BNSF in order to void prior NAFTA is the same trade agreement that forced agreements to ship coal for export. The agreement follows an October move America to abandon country-of-origin SPA members submit zoning proposal by Cloud Peak to pay the Westshore export terminal in Vancouver, British What you can do labeling for meats and certain other Columbia in order to avoid fulfilling contracts to export its coal. n November, a two-year campaign in Stillwater County reached agricultural products, TransCanada Sign the Northern a crescendo when SPA members presented a petition to the wants money in compensation for Signal Peak Energy, which operates the underground coal mine in the Bull Plains anti-Trans-Pacific Stillwater County Commission for a zoning district that would its imaginary loss. Although some Mountains, also agreed via its coal marketing arm to pay to not export coal. I Partnership petition, which protect county and private property from damage by oil and gas experts think this is far-fetched, the International coal markets are weak enough that it is now cheaper for coal we will forward to Montana's development. threat forces Americans to consider companies to pay fees to break contracts and not sell their coal than it is to ship congressional delegation: the real-world effects of these trade coal overseas. The campaign began with the hope of protecting the Beartooth Front www.northernplains.org/ agreements. – Svein Newman from problems encountered in oil and gas development areas like the oppose-TPP Bakken. Dedicated SPA members spent two years knocking on doors, The latest such trade deal – Trans- Coal export comment periods delayed again spreading awareness, and building trust. Throughout that process, Pacific Partnership (TPP) – is a pending deal with the group gathered more than 365 landowner signatures within the 11 Asia- Pacific Rim nations, and is a high priority ow that Arch Coal has declared bankruptcy, many wonder what will proposed zone, and those signers hold more than 60% of the zone’s for President Obama’s final year in office. The TPP Nhappen to the proposed Millennium Bulk Terminal in Longview, Wash., of 80,000 acres. contains clauses that would give more than 9,000 which Arch Coal owns 38%. corporations the right to sue the U.S. government for Presenters well-prepared The short answer is that Washington’s Department of Ecology and the U.S. our laws, actions to protect the national interest, and Army Corps of Engineers continue to carry out their environmental reviews of SPA members presented their petition with a strong group of even moves to protect our national security. the projects. Currently, the Army Corps draft Environmental Impact Statement supporters, well-prepared spokespeople, and experts on both Hank Lischer, a member of Stillwater Protective Association, appears before the Stillwater Beartooth hydrogeology and rural community infrastructure County Commission in November. He explained that the citizen-initiated zoning for a large part Congress voted in June to give the president “fast- for Millennium is due this July, while the state version is scheduled to be released of the county would protect landowners’ property rights during oil and gas development. track authority” to sign the trade deal. That would as early as April. economics. During the hour-long presentation in a packed room, the leave Congress with only an up-or-down vote (no group presented its case on the necessity of the zoning district in Now, it is up to the county to verify the gathered signatures and the The draft EIS for the Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point is expected amendments allowed), and would require only a simple Stillwater County, and their experts gave informational presentations submitted maps of the zoning district. SPA members plan to keep the later, though the project has been challenged by the Lummi Nation because it majority to pass the trade deal. Timing of the vote is on the effects that oil and gas development would have on the county. pressure on and seek a reasonable timeframe for the Commission to conflicts with that Northwest tribe’s treaty rights. Many believe the treaty rights uncertain. complete its review. Once the signatures are confirmed, the county The County Commissioners were reminded that this wouldn’t be the challenge will kill the project before a draft EIS is released. The release of these will hold a public hearing. In the meantime, SPA is planning a set of first time Stillwater County had seen zoning from SPA members – a – Maggie Zaback documents and initiation of their associated public comment periods have been public meetings on the zone to inform the public about the need for hard rock mining district was created in the 1970s, a zone which has delayed many times; meanwhile, Asian coal prices have declined precipitously, the zoning district. and the pressure to export is weakening. protected the landowners in Nye, while also allowing the Stillwater – Ella Smith Mine to become the state’s largest private employer. – Cameron Clevidence

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 6 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 7 GAINING GROUND WATER AND LAND Totem pole dedicated at Northern Plains NORTHERN PLAINS Montanans go the distance OIL TRAIN bout 120 people gathered at Northern COMMENTS Plains' Home on the Range building in Some of the symbology of the totem Billings on Jan. 22 to dedicate a totem pole as described by Northern to oppose increased oil trains A Cheyenne member Otto Braided Hair. pole carved by members of the Lummi Nation in n January 14, Northern Washington state. Cheyenne medicine wheel – Plains members and allies Blue circle of life represents The totem pole is a gift from the Lummi to from across the state water; cross represents four O loaded into a pair of 15-passenger The totem members of the Northern Cheyenne in southeast directions, with a grandfather in vans (and others in their own pole is a Montana as a symbol of solidarity between two each direction vehicles), and took a road trip to symbol of our tribes whose homelands are threatened by proposed Spokane Valley to testify at a public partnership coal export projects. The 22-foot western cedar Eagle – Animal with spiritual hearing on the proposed Tesoro with you. As totem pole, which sports animals and symbols significance to the Cheyenne ” Savage oil terminal in Vancouver, you gather important to the Northern Cheyenne, will stand people at the totem at the Northern Plains office, 27th Street and 3rd Washington. pole please Rabbit – Represents the cycle Avenue South, until a more permanent home is Twenty-seven Montanans from understand of life found on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Billings, Livingston, Gardiner, we are there Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, St. Regis, with you: in Otto Braided Hair, the Northern Cheyenne steward Superior, and Polson were able to heart, mind of the totem pole, told the crowd how the pole Buffalo – Important animal to make the trek to Spokane to express and spirit. came to be: “When we first crossed paths with the Cheyenne people, historically The final EIS needs to take Jewell James and Lummi tribal members, we prayed their opposition to the project. The Northern Plains member Tim Holmes of Helena speaks at a press conference and into consideration the – Statement sent and culturally voices of Montanans joined the large rally in Missoula. Ralliers stopped in Missoula on Jan. 14 on their way to Spokane from Lummi elder for more strength, more protection, more guidance, impacts that the terminal majority of nearly 300 people raising Valley to testify against the building of the huge Tesoro Savage crude oil export and totem pole and more help.” James, the carver who made the facility in Vancouver, Washington. would have on all Montana carver Jewell pole, consulted Braided Hair for the designs. numerous issues overlooked by the rail communities, not just James ” project’s draft environmental impact impacted rail is located) or Idaho are route that affects so many of our larger the Hi-Line route assumed Jeanie Alderson, who ranches near Birney, spoke on statement. included in the analysis. Even more communities in Montana.” in the EIS, but the “low-line” behalf of Northern Plains at the dedication. concerning, the DEIS assumes all route that affects so many Two badgers – Spiritual Largest in North America John Woodland, recently retired eight of the added oil trains would of our larger communities in “Northern Plains is honored to host this symbol of animals who are the traditional Fire Chief for Superior, spoke at the Montana. If built, the oil terminal, proposed by exclusively use the Hi-Line rail route solidarity from people working so hard to protect protectors of the land, plants, hearing on the dangers added oil train the Tesoro refining corporation and through Montana because this is – Kate French, their homes and livelihoods,” said Alderson, “Today water, and animals traffic poises to emergency responders. the Savage supply chain management the shortest route from the Bakken Chair of Northern Plains we honor the Lummi and their fight to protect their “Like most communities along the company, would be the largest crude across the state. However, with BNSF treaty rights. We honor the Northern Cheyenne who Buffalo skull – Important tracks, our little volunteer department oil-by-rail terminal in North America. determining delivery routes, there is have been one of our longest and closest allies in symbol in Cheyenne ceremonies is in no way equipped to handle a spill For Montana rail communities, the no way to ensure the added traffic standing up for places like the Tongue River, Otter and spirituality or explosion,” testified Woodland. “We terminal would mean eight more mile- will not impact the southern Montana Creek, and Rosebud valleys. The totem pole gathers have a few five-gallon jugs of class long oil trains, loaded or empty, added lines as well. us in solidarity. It calls us to be our best selves. It B foam, and a volunteer response of Drum and drummers – to the rails every day. That translates calls us to remember our children.” between 9 and 14 volunteers for any Represent the importance of to at least 360,000 barrels of Bakken Draft EIS deficient – Colin Lauderdale one incident. Such an incident could song and prayer to the Cheyenne crude passing through Montana “Our state, our residents, and our also prevent several of our volunteers communities on a daily basis. landscapes will be affected by this from even reaching the fire hall.” Morning Star (on turtle's back) Despite the serious potential impacts proposed oil terminal, but these effects – Contemporary representation to Montana’s rail communities, the were not adequately addressed in the The hearing in Spokane Valley was of the Northern Cheyenne and project’s draft EIS fails to seriously draft EIS” testified Kate French of the third and final hearing on the the tribal flag symbol consider these risks, especially Bozeman, Chair of Northern Plains. Tesoro-Savage proposal’s DEIS. regarding the public health and safety “This exclusion is unacceptable and our Washington’s Energy Facility Site Turtle – Represents masculine concerns deserve sincere consideration. Evaluation Council will give Gov. aspects of people living along the tracks. Even though the DEIS reviews the The final EIS needs to take into Jay Inslee a recommendation on the Lizards – Represent feminine risks of derailment and explosion for consideration the impacts that the project. Gov. Inslee will make the aspects Washington communities, no towns terminal would have on all Montana rail final decision on whether to authorize Like most communities along in Montana (where a majority of the communities, not just the Hi-Line route construction of the facility. the tracks, our little volunteer assumed in the EIS, but the “low-line” – Hannah Hostetter department is in no way equipped to handle a spill or Montana oil spill info more accessible to public explosion. ” – John Woodland, recently retired ast year saw marked With this data now accessible online, Link to oil & gas spill map Fire Chief for Superior Limprovement for transparency interested citizens can track oil, gas, in data reporting for the oil and gas www.gagecarto.com/montanaSpills/ and saltwater spills. This accessibility industry in Montana. makes it feasible to easily map website. Though this information spills. Already, Josh Gage of Gage Native American In response to consistent pressure always has been technically public, Cartographics in Bozeman has used drummers, led by Otto from Northern Plains members, before now an interested citizen Northern Plains Vice Chair Jeanie Alderson addresses more than 100 Braided Hair in white the data to create a time-lapsed map the Montana Board of Oil and Gas would have had to go to the Board’s people at the dedication of the Lummi-carved totem pole at Home on the cap, perform prayer showing spills in Montana State. Range in Billings, Jan. 22. The pole depicts animals and symbols important songs during the Jan. Conservation began posting data offices in Helena or Billings to look at to the Cheyenne. Northern Plains is hosting the pole temporarily. 22 dedication. on oil and gas-related spills on its the hard-copy data. – Hannah Hostetter

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 8 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 9 2015 ANNUAL MEETING 2015 ANNUAL MEETING Author calls soil ‘great green hope’ The startling truth about radioactive oilfield waste eth Newton is a perfect example t had been almost a year since she read history. This was followed by the industrial Link to No Time to Waste of how affected landowners can be her own book cover to cover, and it revolution and fossil fuel technologies. Now, www.notimetowastereport.org completely left out of permitting still gave her goose bumps. The Soil Will 150 years later, we are recognizing the dire I decisionsS that affect their everyday lives. Save Us author Kristin Ohlson delivered need to put that carbon back where it came Newton is a fourth-generation farmer/ regulatory gaps related to radioactive waste and her keynote speech to attendees at the 2015 from. What we have learned about soil rancher who lives near Glendive, four miles makes recommendations for how to better Annual Meeting, reflecting on her journey to increases our ability to achieve that. We have from the Oaks Disposal Facility, a landfill and manage these hazardous waste materials. find our “great green hope.” the science and experience to show that, oilfield waste dump. by increasing soil carbon, farmers can also Cromwell and Newton gave a candid Ohlson, originally from Cleveland and most increase yields, store more water, and develop In an Annual Meeting session titled The presentation about the gaps in regulation of recently Portland, has written on a wide a more diverse income source. Boom’s Unfolding Legacy: Radioactive Oilfield radioactive waste disposal in Montana. variety of topics. So when she started hearing Waste, Newton explained that when Oaks was stories of how farmers could help reverse Cromwell outlined the intricacies of Farmer Gabe Brown’s story being permitted, none of the affected people climate change, she dug in. radioactivity and why it is so dangerous. Ohlson shared a story about North Dakota had any idea what was going on. Adjacent She then explained how radioactive waste is “Soil is a magical thing,” she shared. farmer Gabe Brown in her book. Brown was landowners were mailed only once about the regulated in many states in the region, saying came back well above safe radiation levels. Seth Newton comment period and there was a tiny public holds a sample For every teaspoon of soil, 6 billion beginning a farming operation in an industry there are “no rules or regulations” in Montana. Newton has been trying for months notice in the paper. “The process was so of oilfield microorganisms make their home. The that promotes using expensive chemicals and to try to get the Montana Department fast,” Newton told the audience. Newton shocked the crowd with his account of waste that microorganisms in our own bodies are as patented seeds, with little return. Instead, he of Environmental Quality to institute important to us as an organ is. “We need to tried to make it work with what he had: his what goes on at the Oaks facility near his ranch. spilled on a ‘Soil is a magical thing.’ The lack of rules and regulations in Montana rulemaking on this issue, with moderate understand our earth just as much as we need soil. He still needed equipment, seeds, and road near his – Kristin Ohlson are a big problem, according to Caitlin “There’s so much truck traffic,” said Newton, success. If rulemaking is instituted, Newton to understand our bodies; we are dependent rain, but he transformed his soil with micro- ranch north of Cromwell, who recently wrote a report by the “and frequent transportation spills. They hopes the DEQ is flooded with comments on it.” organisms. Now he is boasting the highest Glendive. She also was able to point to tilling as being Western Organization of Resource Councils. dispose liquids frequently – which they and criticisms of their mismanagement of yields in the county, all by focusing on what one of the biggest disturbances of the soil No Time to Waste: Effective Management of Oil & aren’t supposed to do – and no one cares or this dangerous waste product. Chemicals vs. food was happening underground. ecosystem. By tilling, microorganisms were Gas Field Radioactive Waste outlines the risks and checks.” When he had a spill sample tested, it – Ella Smith The research to really understand the soil killed in mass, along with beneficial bacteria and Ohlson concluded with hope, she said didn’t even begin until Dr. Elaine Ingham fungi. But there was something else. Healthy “farmers are optimistic (and so am I) because pushed the envelope of research in the 1980s. soil ecosystems hold and store carbon. they are connected to the most powerful Tribes unite to save homelands from coal projects Ingham drew a connection between chemicals force on Earth.” Ohlson is right, the soil can orthern He encouraged audience outside Bellingham, Washington. If built, that killing bugs, fungi, and weeds on the surface When America moved west to farm, help save us, but will we be willing to help it? Cheyenne members to reach out port would harm the culture and economy homesteaders tilled every flat field in sight, and the same chemicals hurting the critical soil tribal member to others: “We need to of the Lummi Nation’s fishing grounds as ecosystem necessary to grow food. releasing the largest mass of carbon in human – Maggie Zaback N Otto Braided Hair gather those who will massive coal barges rumble through traditional opened the coal panel stand with us and talk silent fishing waters. The port itself would be at the 2015 Annual to those who need it. I built on burial grounds where hundreds of Homegrown Prosperity transforms local economies Meeting with a prayer really encourage you to generations of Lummi are interred. song. Lummi totem make that extra push to he Annual Meeting panel on practices that are counter to Montana values Otto Braided Hair Doug James James and Braided Hair told the story of a False Prosperity pole carver Doug James talk to somebody that Homegrown Prosperity featured and damage our air and water. totem pole, carved by the Lummi House of followed suit, praying “that we can come may be difficult, that doesn’t seem to catch two “homegrown” Northern Plains Tears Carvers for the Northern Cheyenne. It is T Ed Gulick, who specializes in green building, together as one heart and one mind.” It was why we care so much.” leaders, Kate French and Ed Gulick. It was a featured in articles elsewhere in this Plains Truth. underscored this point: “In reality, the green a central message of their presentations; favorite for many Annual Meeting attendees, The proposed Otter Creek strip mine economy has much more potential for the two are united with each other, with Ending his presentation, James returned to perhaps because it was so fresh and hope- and Tongue River Railroad would tear up widespread and long-term prosperity.” Northern Plains, and with so many others in his theme of united hearts and minds, saying inspiring. traditional Cheyenne homelands and cultural their concerns about coal exports. Similar to the energy sector, the corporate ag- “It’s like a drumbeat, and it’s getting louder n Consolidated, distant ownership First, acknowledgement: Coal is on the decline; sites, industrialize sacred places, and threaten industrial complex squeezes economic vitality and louder. With one heart and one mind, we n Dependent, volatile the evidence is all around us. So is that the “The word is ‘care’ – care for ourselves, care watersheds. The coal would be bound for n out of family farms and ranches while their can make a difference.” Impersonal, hidden, complex end of the story? No, it’s just the beginning in for each other… care for the water, the air… the West Coast, where it could head to the n Short-term return and risk public relations departments tout that they are that’s what’s important,” said Braided Hair. proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal coal port – Svein Newman n some ways. In reality, $ leave local economy, benefit few “feeding a hungry planet.” n Homogenized, loss of heritage the green “This transition can be an opportunity for our n Destructive, stressful, fearful By contrast, the smaller local agriculture economy has communities to build the economic system that Real Prosperity businesses much more often value land, water, much more we want to see – one that upholds our values wildlife, and workers. They also keep more potential for while providing widespread and sustainable ” widespread dollars circulating in the local economy. prosperity,” French said. and long-term Supporting local businesses with your prosperity. The political narrative in Montana and much shopping choices causes a ripple effect of the West is that our region’s economic – Ed Gulick, of positive consequences. A recent study prosperity comes from natural resource architect and a found that “attachment to place” is the No. Northern Plains Annual Meeting meals feature local foods n Local, diverse ownership extraction. Yet the facts show that, more often, n 1 indicator in places experiencing economic Past Chair For the Annual Meeting, Northern Plains worked with the Crowne Plaza Self-sufficient, resilient poverty is correlated with natural resource n Personal, transparent, direct prosperity. Local businesses and locally raised to feature an array of local food dishes from producers all over Montana. extraction because the profits are exported just n Long-term growth and success food are definitely a part of “place.” Our meals included russet potatoes from Bausch Potatoes in Whitehall, n $ stay in local economy, benefit all as fast as the mineral. n Unique culture, pride of Place carrots from Gallatin Grown, chicken from Androlina Family Ranch, ham n Sustainable, healthy, joyful Corporations based outside of Montana from Amaltheia Pork, ground beef from Montana Ranch Beef, beans from

The Center for a New American Dream export profits to their far-flung shareholders. Great Northern Beans, tortillas from Trevino’s, and beef brisket from the B Unfortunately, profits are often built by – Olivia Stockman Bar Ranch near Big Timber.

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 10 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 11 2015 RESOLUTIONS 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

As approved by Northern Plains members at the REGULATIONS RELATED TO THE Meeting of the Membership, Nov. 13, 2015 TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, AND OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF OILAND GAS Renewables the future for rural electric co-ops CRUDE OIL EXPORT BAN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION n Montana, more than 400,000 people When Warren McKenna Solar Electric Power Association. WASTES. get their electricity from 24 rural electric took over as manager Resolution No. 2015 – 1 Ben Reed then discussed the renewable cooperatives. of Farmer’s Electric, Introduced by Deborah Hanson at the request of WHEREAS, the oil and gas exploration and I opportunities for Montana’s cooperatives. production process results in a number of specific the co-op had just one the Oil and Gas Task Force These cooperatives have had varied Small-scale production spread across a waste byproducts, including produced water, pipe small solar panel on grid. challenges servicing rural customers over the cooperative’s grid, such as rooftop solar, A RESOLUTION OF THE MEMBERS OF scale, sludge, filter cake, filter socks, contaminated But with a committed state’s vast expanses but, with rapid growth can cut costs in a state like Montana where NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL production and processing equipment, and some membership, Farmer’s CONCERNING THE PROPOSED LIFTING synthetic proppants (sand or other solid material in the renewable energy sector, rural electric long transmission lines lead to substantial Electric has become a Warren McKenna OF THE FEDERAL CRUDE OIL EXPORT designed to keep an induced hydraulic fracture co-ops have new opportunities. Thus, it was power loss in the journey from producer to leader in using renewable BAN. open); and particularly timely that Northern Plains’ consumer. Moreover, renewable energy gives energy. WHEREAS, the goal of Northern Plains WHEREAS, when handled or disposed Clean Energy Task Force sponsored a panel cooperatives independence and choice, while Resource Council's Oil and Gas Task Force is of improperly, oil and gas exploration and at the 2015 Annual Meeting focusing on Today, over 20% of the total membership locking in production costs for years. Wade Sikorski of Baker won the Mary to protect Montana’s water resources as well as production waste byproducts pose risks to rural electric cooperatives and the beneficial privately owns wind or solar, because the Donohoe “Tell It Like It Is” Award. Additionally, Reed explained that we should each citizen’s private property and water rights, both human and environmental health, can use of renewable energy sources in rural cooperative developed solar schools, solar expect total grid parity for renewables in our farm-and-ranch communities, and Montana’s contaminate drinking water, and can threaten communities. farms, and community solar opportunities for 2016. For example, the lowest cost-to- recreational opportunities, and livestock and agricultural viability; and members. On any given day, 30-40% of the co- Speaking to a packed conference room, production facility this year for Northwestern WHEREAS, Northern Plains’ Oil and Gas Task op’s total power can come from solar, all while WHEREAS, the transport of oil and gas the panel consisted of Warren McKenna, Energy was the Judith Gap wind farm, Force supports developing clean and sustainable exploration and production waste negatively maintaining low rates that are less vulnerable to manager of Farmer’s Electric Cooperative despite low natural gas prices. alternative energy options in place of unsustainable, impacts the quality of life of Montanans living fluctuations in commodity prices. For his work, in Kalona, Iowa, and Ben Reed, owner of carbon-based fuels like oil and gas; and along transportation routes, poses risks to both McKenna was named CEO of the year by the human and environmental health, and infringes Billings-based Winpower West. – Cameron Clevidence WHEREAS, technological innovations in the oil upon private property rights; and and gas industry have increased the United State’s Fun at the Annual Meeting silent auction crude oil production from 5 million barrels per WHEREAS, the Montana Department of day in late 2006 to 9 million barrels per day in late Environmental Quality does not have specific 2014 according to the U.S. Energy Information regulations for oil and gas exploration and Administration; and production waste disposal and, instead, regulates such waste as general solid waste; and WHEREAS, despite this increase in production, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy WHEREAS, the hazardous waste found in oil and Lana and Charles Sangmeister of Nye at Columbia University’s report “Navigating gas exploration and production wastes are exempt won the Bob Tully Spirit Award. the U.S. Oil Export Debate” (Jan. 2015), the from Environmental Protection Agency oversight United States remains a net petroleum importer, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery depending on imports to accommodate 26% of Act; and Trio win awards its petroleum consumption; and WHEREAS, the inadequate regulations related to he 2015 Mary Donohoe “Tell it WHEREAS, increases in the amount of the transport, disposal, and overall management TLike it Is” Award went to Wade domestically produced oil and gas resources of oil and gas field wastes leave citizens Sikorski of Baker. transported through Montana leads to more vulnerable to the consequences of these practices Going... Going... Going... Definitely not going... Sold... to Elli Elliott! pipelines disrupting Montana landowners and and ill-equipped to protect themselves. Wade is a dedicated member of the more oil trains disrupting communities with their Clean Energy Task Force. “In his associated diesel fumes, potential derailment NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY (CONTINUED) own quiet way, Wade sticks to his hazards, and barriers to traffic and emergency THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN PLAINS 2015 RESOLUTIONS RESOURCE COUNCIL, IN ANNUAL guns on the importance of climate personnel; and MEETING ASSEMBLED: disposal facilities are required to follow specific operating protocols WHEREAS, we understand “true prosperity” to mean an economy change,” read Wade’s nomination, WHEREAS, a lifting of the crude oil export ban concerning the handling and management of oil and gas exploration that strengthens the health, environment, food sovereignty, energy That Northern Plains Resource Council is and he “is not afraid to tell it like it would further incentivize increased drilling of oil and production wastes. security, working conditions, labor rights, and civic participation within opposed to the improper transportation, is as a rancher with a cosmic view of and gas resources with the intent to sell to foreign a community; and our world and the important issues in markets; and handling, and disposal of oil and gas exploration 3) oil and gas exploration and production wastes are subject to a and production wastes. which Northern Plains is involved.” “cradle-to-grave” waste tracking and reporting system that makes the WHEREAS, the current prevailing economic system drains money and WHEREAS, our members and other citizens of transport of waste visible, transparent, and publicly accessible and resources from local communities, consolidating that money and those AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The 2015 Bob Tully Spirit Award Montana would bear the unjust impacts to our allows for more effective regulatory oversight, including the prevention resources in the control of large corporations without placing value on health and quality of life that increased oil-and- was presented to Lana & Charles That Northern Plains Resource Council calls on of illegal waste dumps. our clean air and water and with little accountability to local citizens or gas drilling for export would bring. the Environmental Protection Agency to remove communities; and Sangmeister, both of whom hold 4) transportation of oil and gas exploration and production wastes are its exemption for oil and gas field wastes from the leadership positions in Stillwater NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY subject to governmental oversight and attention given the potential for WHEREAS, the trajectory of the current economic system is Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, thereby Protective Association, serve on the THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN PLAINS spills or other instances of contamination along transportation routes. unsustainable and is resulting in increasing income inequality, water including such wastes in the list of materials Northern Plains Board, Organization RESOURCE COUNCIL, IN ANNUAL degradation, and global climate change; and MEETING ASSEMBLED: considered “hazardous.” 5) oil and gas operators, waste transporters, and disposal facilities that and Finance Task Force, and have handle oil and gas exploration and productions wastes are subject to WHEREAS, we have an urgent responsibility to build the economy we AND, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: represented Northern Plains on the That Northern Plains Resource Council supports a regular, unannounced inspections by qualified government officers in want to see and to support a just transition for those whose current WORC Board. Charles serves as a SPA continuation of the federal ban on crude oil exports. That Northern Plains Resource Council demands order to ensure that regulations around oil and gas wastes are being means of employment may be affected by shifts in the economy. representative on the Good Neighbor REGULATE OIL & GAS WASTE that the Montana Department of Environmental thoroughly and sufficiently upheld. Agreement Task Force, and Lana co- Quality create rules that ensure: NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS chairs SPA’s Oil & Gas Committee. Resolution No. 2015 - 2 HOMEGROWN PROSPERITY OF NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL, IN ANNUAL Introduced by Peggy Ames Nerud at the request 1) facilities seeking to accept oil and gas Resolution No. 2015 – 3 MEETING ASSEMBLED: Their nomination recognized exploration and production wastes are designed of the Oil and Gas Task Force Introduced by Joan Kresich their “tenacity, sense of humor, and equipped according to the most stringent and That Northern Plains Resource Council shall endeavor to formulate doggedness, and courage.” A RESOLUTION OF THE MEMBERS thorough design standards. A RESOLUTION OF THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN PLAINS and enact our vision of “homegrown prosperity” by catalyzing the OF NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE RESOURCE COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A creation of a restorative economy for Montana in which people, 2) oil and gas operators, waste transporters, and – Hannah Hostetter COUNCIL OPPOSING THE INADEQUATE VISION AND CAMPAIGN FOR “HOMEGROWN PROSPERITY.” communities, and ecosystems all can thrive.

The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 12 The Plains Truth Winter 2016 Page 13 GAINING GROUND COUNCIL ROUNDUP Billings library is LEED Platinum, thanks to YVCC CCRC hears talk Dawson gears up about healthy soil for annual ag expo lmost four years after Yellowstone Ultimately, a YVCC member was given a he Carbon County Resource awson Resource Council Valley Citizens Council (YVCC) position on the library design team; they TCouncil’s annual meeting was a Dmembers are gearing up for a Astarted a campaign for the new agreed to pursue LEED certification when huge success as Northern Plains Past big February during which they will Billings Public Library to be LEED (Leadership YVCC promised to pay the approximately Chair, Steve Charter, and ranching participate in the annual Glendive in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified, $5,000 cost of LEED registration and assistant John Brown, were the guests Agricultural Trade Expo and gather and more than two years after the new library certification. This enabled the library to pursue and spoke about soil. YELLOWSTONE VALLEYsignatures on a petition to pass a first opened its doors, the library’s LEED LEED with no added cost to taxpayers. county-wide resolution in support of People from all over Carbon County Platinum certification is official! local foods. Since opening, the library has seen a record attended with curiosity as Steve CITIZENS COUNCIL The library announced jointly with YVCC high number of patrons, and hardly a day shared his experiences of increasing est 1979 DRC also continues to work with that it achieved Billings Public Library will celebrate its LEED goes by without an event being hosted in the yields on his ranch, starting compost the Department of Environmental LEED Platinum in Billings LEED Platinum Platinum certification at a ceremony at 2 p.m. large Community Room. rows, and exploring the policy failures Quality to get adequate rules related certification – the Saturday, Feb. 27. n Home on the Range, Northern Plains “Achieving LEED Platinum establishes to promote healthy soils. to the transport and disposal of highest award given Resource Council proud of and that make this a more healthy, the Billings Public Library as a nationwide The annual Jardine Ski Run is fun for all ages and species. radioactive oilfield waste. n Klos Building, High Plains Architects by the US Green Local soil conservationists from the inviting, and sustainable community in which model for environmentally responsible n Tracy Lofts Building Council. Conservation District also shared BCC's Jardine Ski Run set for Feb. 28 – Olivia Stockman n to work and play. design, reflecting our community values and Swift Lofts The library joins what opportunities are available for ore than 60 people turned The Jardine Ski Run is set for n MET Bus Transfer Center ingenuity,” said Anya Fiechtl, an architect at Northern Plains’ own LEED is a rigorous standard that requires farmers and ranchers to improve soil out for the Bear Creek Sunday, Feb. 28. All ages and skills CMRC keeps solar, n Stockman Bank Operations Center High Plains Architects and YVCC member. M n Billings Public Library Home on the Range third-party verification to ensure that intended health, get their assistance, as well as Council annual Christmas Party are welcome to participate in this “Strategies like daylighting, energy efficiency, water rights up front as one of seven sustainability benefits are actually delivered. how to access funding for it. on a blustery December evening fun-filled day of cross-country on-site renewable energy generation, and YELLOWSTONE VALLEY LEED Platinum buildings in Billings. Achieving LEED Platinum establishes the in Gardiner. The potluck, silent skiing, eating, and awards. Local t has been a busy fall and winter water savings work together to reduce CCRC members Billings Public Library as one of the best auction, and favoriteCITIZENS holiday sponsors COUNCIL help make the Ski Run for Central Montana Resource “Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council is utility costs and save taxpayer dollars. Other elected Sue I performing buildings in the country. punch kept the spirits bright. estpossible.1979 Council. In October, CMRC excited to celebrate this great news with features that promote clean air, healthy Beug as Chair, Nathan Varley was re-elected as presented a free seminar Solar Power the Billings community,” said Ed Gulick, The library undeniably would not have materials, and connection to nature make Deborah Muth President of BCC for 2016. – Maggie Zaback 101: Is it for You? an architect at High Plains Architects and pursued LEED certification without the the library a wonderful and inviting space as Vice Chair, former Chair of Northern Plains and YVCC. advocacy of YVCC members, who raised the in which to gather, learn, and grow as a Necia DeGroot The seminar informed landowners as Treasurer, about solar opportunities on ranch, “Our members advocated for the new public issue early, lobbied the library foundation that community. This achievement is cause for Finally, we are excited about library to be LEED-certified because we had fundraised for the new building, and led a celebration!” Julie Holzer farm and rural settings, net metering, Susann Beug the Billings Public Library’s as Secretary, and pivot and pump systems. More believe Billings deserves amenities we can be postcard campaign to library decision-makers. – Alicia Pettys announcement that it will be LEED and Becky Grey and Bill DeGroot than 80 people attended and the Platinum certified! This is a big as Northern Plains Board momentum gained from the event victory for YVCC members who RPA collects anti-TRR statements Representatives. resulted in CMRC voting to launch a worked hard on this positive addition osebud Protective Association members collected Clean Energy Initiative. – Maggie Zaback to the community. verified statements from landowners for Northern 1979 1979 R est est CMRC also held a Water Rights Plains’ recent filing to kill the proposed Tongue River – Alicia Pettys The YVCC logo features the Billings seminar on January 14 attended by Railroad (TRR). The railroad route is proposed to cross the Sleeping Giant acts Rims and Yellowstone River. property of several RPA members. more than 100 citizens and county on oil trains, solar YBCC helps library officials. Despite snowy weather, the Northern Plains’ most recent filing is a motion requesting YVCC panel to study leeping Giant Citizens Council with solar panels seminar drew attendees from Great the federal Surface Transportation Board to “dismiss” the pulled off its first annual Sun Run, use for Corette site Falls, Judith Gap, Martinsdale, Lavina, TRR’s application for a permit to build the railroad. The S ellowstone Bend Citizens garnering widespread community as well as communities closer to motion was a response to the company’s request that the ellowstone Valley Citizens Council members started the support, turning out well over 100 Y Lewistown. STB delay any processing of its application until the Otter YCouncil has a new committee new year by taking part in Northern people, and raising more than $12,000 Creek coal mine has a permit that has survived any legal focused on making Billings a more Plains’ road trip to Spokane on Jan. Speaker Scott Irvin, manager of toward the installation of a solar array sustainable community. challenges. est 1979 est 1979 14 to testify at a hearingest 1979 on the draft DNRC'sest 1979 Lewistown Water Resources on the Lewis and Clark Library. environmental impact statement for Regional Office, provided historical – Colin Lauderdale Starting out, the committee plans two Northern Plains members Bill Hand, Charles Sangmeister, John Beers and perspective on water rights law; Sleeping Giant also hosted its 2015 new campaigns: the proposed Tesoro-Savage crude oil Norm Tjeltveit visit the Benbow portal near Dean, accompanied by Stillwater terminal. If built, that project would information on leasing, transfer and Mining Co. officials. Cottonwood elects officers annual meeting, where new officers were elected. Jayson O'Neill will be 1) Advocating for good outcomes lead to eight new oil trains through sale of rights; and what constitutes GNA keeping tabs on water quality ottonwood Resource Council members hosted CRC’s from City/County Growth Plan Montana daily. abandonment, commonly known as winter potluck and annual meeting on January 21. Chair; Shiloh Hernandez, Vice Chair; embers of the Good entrance in the Benbow area. In C update, and "use it or lose it." In addition to sharing good food and company, attendees Pat Bik, Treasurer, and Roxa Reller Members are also busy assisting Neighbor Agreement Task 2014, the task force developed a – Adam Haight M enjoyed a presentation on clean energy and energy Secretary. The keynote speaker was Julie 2) Hosting a design charrette Livingston-Park County Public Force have been busy through the mitigation plan for the Benbow efficiency by Ed Gulick of Northern Plains’ Clean Energy DalSoglio of EPA’s Montana office. with other local conservation Library with its solar panel winter, meeting with the DEQ development, including specific MAPO to celebrate Task Force. organizations to articulate a vision installation, planning a Rural Energy and U.S. Forest Service to discuss methods for rock storage and On Jan. 14, several members for possible sustainable uses of the for America Program (REAP) water-quality monitoring plans and water management. attended the Tesoro-Savage hearing Keystone XL denial CRC also elected officers for 2016: Cindy Webber as Chair, former Corette power plant site in workshop for Livingston businesses, future methods for rock storage Roger Hauge as Vice Chair, Jerry Iverson and Sandi Blake in Spokane Valley, Washinton, to cCone Agricultural Protection These visits help ensure adherence Billings on the Yellowstone River. and regularly communicating with the at the Stillwater Mining Company as co-Secretaries, and Michael Drye as Treasurer. testify against increased oil train Organization members to the plan and develop solutions city about renewable energy designs M mine on the East Boulder River. traffic in Montana. Sleeping Giant will YVCC unveiled its new logo at a will gather Feb. 12 for an overdue to any new problems during for its new wastewater treatment – Hannah Hostetter continue its work to make Helena a Pint Aid event at Yellowstone Valley celebration of the permit denial for On the Stillwater side, members development. plant. model for renewable energy and local Brewing Co. on Jan. 26. This is Keystone XL. Thank you to Yargers have made multiple visits to the sustainability in Montana. YVCC’s first logo since its founding – Colin Lauderdale for hosting! construction site for a new mine – Cameron Clevidence in 1979. – Ella Smith – Olivia Stockman

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THE PLAINS TRUTH VOICE OF THE NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL Volume 44, Issue 4, Autumn 2015 In this issue:  Victories on Montana coal and clean energy fronts  2015 Annual Meeting wrap-up, resolutions  Insert: How to take part in your electric co-op

Join, renew, or become You can pay online, too You also can join, renew or donate online through our website at a Monthly Sustainer 220 S. 27th Street, Suite A www.northernplains.org. Just click Billings, MT 59101 NAME on the “Support Our Work Today” 406-248-1154 button in the upper right. ADDRESS  I want to renew my Affiliate membership: CITY, STATE, ZIP  Bear Creek Council $50  Beartooth Alliance $35  Bull Mountain Land Alliance $35  Carbon County Resource Council $40 PHONE CELL  Central Montana Resource Council $40 EMAIL  Cottonwood Resource Council $45  Dawson Resource Council $40  McCone Agricultural Protection Organization $40  I would like to become a Monthly Sustainer with a contribution of: (with a payment through credit card, debit card, or automatic withdrawal from my bank account)  Rosebud Protective Association $50  Sleeping Giant Citizens Council $40  $50/month  $25/month  $20/month  Stillwater Protective Association $50  Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council $40  $15/month  $10/month  Other $______ Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council $40

 I would like to make an annual membership contribution of: I’m paying by:  Check (payable to Northern Plains)  Credit/Debit Card  Rider of the Big Sky $500+  Bottom Line Rider $200+  Automatic Withdrawal (include a voided check)  Rough Rider $100+  Range Rider $50+  General $40 Card Type Card # Exp. Date  Other amount $______You also can join or renew on our website: www.northernplains.org Signature

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