Page 1 of 2 Nowakowski, Sonja From: Marcia Youngman [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:44 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: climate change August 22, 2008 Sonja Nowakowski Legislative Environmental Policy Office and Environmental Quality Council Dear Ms. Nowakowski: I am writing to urge the EQC to go much further in its proposals to address climate change. We can’t afford bland, toothless political compromise on an issue this important. We need to rise to the challenge now if we care at all about our children’s future in Montana. The 11 proposals EQC currently plans to put forward are disappointingly trivial in comparison to the magnitude and urgency of the challenges (and opportunities) climate change represents for Montana’s economy, environment, wildlife habitat, way of life, and future. We need to take far more significant actions than EQC proposes, and swiftly, or Montana will face changes that will dramatically alter the state as we know it and will cause hardship, difficult adjustments, and shocking expenses. Any delay in action because of short-term expenses is penny wise and many dollars foolish. The proposals EQC is ignoring may in some cases cost money upfront but will reap far greater economic gains and savings for the state. As a former Bozeman mayor and current active participant in my community, I support the 54 recommendations of the Governor’s Climate Change Advisory Committee. Individuals, government agencies, businesses, and industry all must share in actions to reduce greenhouse emissions. From energy providers to appliance stores to homeowners, we all have an important part to play. Voluntary measures are not enough to turn the tide. Do we really prefer to let folks continue to emit as they please than to set reasonable standards, if the cost is more forest fires and more property loss, no glaciers, game and other species threatened due to loss of habitat, less water, etc., etc.? Let’s make it as appealing as possible to reduce emissions—far better tax credits and rewards for clean energy choices such as wind and solar for individuals, businesses, and energy providers—but let’s also require emissions reduction through reasonable regulations and standards changes for vehicles, for appliances, for building codes, and so forth. I don’t understand people who for political reasons still question global warming. There is a scientific consensus, with some debate about details but not about the fundamental concept, the role of human-caused emissions, and the urgent need for massive action. Sure, there are a few naysayers, but anyone who says there isn’t a scientific consensus is ignoring the conclusions of a staggering multidisciplinary array of scientists and scientific organizations. Nevertheless, it doesn’t even really matter if people believe in human-caused global warming. They should still find the economic advantages appealing of many of the proposals you are not recommending action on. There’s no excuse for doing so little at this critical point for our state. When I visited a friend who moved to Colorado recently from Montana, he mentioned how pitiful Montana’s approach is to such subjects as tax credits for personal investments in energy-efficient appliances, machines, and wind and solar power, in comparison to his new state. He is able to afford to do the right thing for the climate in his new state, whereas he couldn’t in Montana. Let’s change that. Please strengthen your recommendations. Montana’s future as a thriving state with an appealing natural environment for summer and winter tourism, skiing, wildlife, hunting and fishing, investment, and business relocation requires far broader actions than your current minor proposals represent. Respectfully, Marcia Youngman 1214 W. Koch, Bozeman, MT 59715 8/25/2008 Page 2 of 2 (406) 587-5704 (home/work) [email protected] 8/25/2008 Page 1 of 2 Nowakowski, Sonja From: The S.A.V.E. Foundation, 501(c)(3) [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:58 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: Comments on ECQ Draft Legislation / Climate Change In Support of Recycling Legislation August 22, 2008 Dear Members of the Environmental Quality Council, The S.A.V.E. Foundation is a non-profit recycling and conservation organization based in Helena. Our efforts include education and direct recycling operations, including Helena's primary plastics recycling operation. As you know, many communities are working to bring forward recycling. We appreciate your interim work on legislation that has great potential to boost recycling across the state. We applaud the drafts LC 6000, 6001, 6002, and 6003. These partnerships, loans, and grant programs all have potential to bring forth infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships that will yield substantial return for our environment, economy, and communities with increased recycling activity and reduced waste costs. Now is the right time for this legislation: * Recycling provides jobs and service to our communities. * A 2003 DEQ report found that the recycling industry created over 300 full-time jobs and supported $9 million in wages. * Recycling provides material for reuse and infrastructure for communities at a time when fuel and commodities prices have increased greatly. * To quote DEQ's report, "recycling activity in Montana is a model point for the interplay between private sector activity and social concern—between economic incentive and environmental responsibility." * Montana's current recycling goal from the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan is to divert 22% of the state's solid waste by 2015. Last year, 222,088 tons (15%) were recycled or composted. * Recycling is an investment into our communities and will payback to urban and rural economies and environments. Additionally, we appreciate your recommendations to expand local consumption of Montana crops (LC 6004), to address transportation for seniors (LC 6005 & 6006), to create a weatherization account (LC 6007), to increase the energy conservation tax credit (LC 6008), to evaluate biomass (LC 6009), and to require energy efficiency in new state buildings (LC 6011). These recommendations will lead to wise investments in the future and help meet Montanans' needs. Thank you for your time and effort during the interim. We look forward to working with you on your recommendations and other legislation in the coming year. Sincerely, Matthew A. Elsaesser, Executive Director The S.A.V.E. Foundation, 501c3 Recycle @ SAVEMOBILE.ORG Phone: (406) 449 - 6008 Fax: (406) 443 - 7144 P.O. Box 1481 Helena, MT 59624 The Student Advocates for Valuing the Environment Foundation is dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship with daily habits and environmental awareness. Learn more at SAVEMOBILE.ORG 8/25/2008 Page 2 of 2 If you have received this message in error, please let us know. 8/25/2008 Page 1 of 1 Nowakowski, Sonja From: marlee ostheimer [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 3:41 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: climate change Member of the EQC, I would like to encourage the Council to move on draft bill LC6004. Local food is an indispensible tool in greenhouse gas mitigation. If Montana had the means to process whole foods in-state, we could circumvent the needless, and costly, cycle of processing Montana grown foods out of state, and then shipping back the finished product. This shipping back and forth is an enormous source of greenhouse gases. I am an Americorp VISTA volunteer working with Gallatin County Farm to School to incorporate whole and local foods into Gallatin County's elementary school lunch programs. One of the biggest issues we are facing in this effort, and in other efforts to support locally grown foods across the State, is the lack of food processing infrastructure in Montana. This is because Montana producers, who often do not have the capacity to process foods, have a difficult time competing with subsidized national food suppliers like FSA and Sysco, who can provide value-added products at artificially cheaper prices. This cheaper price tag does not realize the shipping and transportation costs. By subsidizing the processing infrastructure in Montana, this bill would give Montana processed foods a competitive advantage to other subsidized national food companies. Without food processing infrastructure, Montana businesses which would otherwise purchase locally grown foods, are not able to do so. And without support in the first phases of bringing processing infrastructure back into the State, producers who would otherwise process their raw Montana grown products, are not going to be able to do so. This bill is key in providing Montana producers the support to begin taking steps towards processing food in- state, the missing link that will help connect local farms with consumers, thereby reducing Montana's contribution to transportation related greenhouse gas emissions. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Marlee Ostheimer GVF2S VISTA Bozeman, MT 406.274.0489 Talk to your Yahoo! Friends via Windows Live Messenger. Find Out How 8/25/2008 Page 1 of 2 Nowakowski, Sonja From: Neva Hassanein [[email protected]] Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 4:12 PM To: Nowakowski, Sonja Subject: Climate Change Members of the EQC: I strongly support the EQC's LC6004 which would give property tax breaks to Montana food processors for their use of Montana grown ingredients. For the last eight years, I have worked in my capacity as a professor at the University of Montana and as an agricultural sociologist to develop local food systems in our state. For example, my students and I have been deeply involved in the creation of UM's Farm to College program, which purchases Montana food products to serve in campus dining halls. Since its inception in 2003, Farm to College has re- directed some $2 million into the state and regional economy. In 2006, ten graduate students and I studied the impact of Farm to College on the state.