Climate legislation means jobs for Montana

This month the U.S. Senate has an opportunity to revive Montana’s – and the nation’s – economy with thousands of new jobs, create clean and affordable sources of power for our homes and businesses, and end billions of dollars going to foreign countries for oil.

Our senators returned to Washington, D.C., to take up comprehensive climate and energy legislation, a version of which has already passed the House. The health care debate should not prompt them to sidestep this important work; passage of a strong climate bill this year is crucial to Montana’s future.

Leaders from across the spectrum understand that our economic health is tied to our leadership on clean energy. Solutions to global warming offer rare economic opportunities, as well.

The legislation passed by the House is a good start. It puts billions of dollars into spurring energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy development in resources Montana has in abundance: wind, sun and biofuels.

This guest column is signed by Steve Corrick of Prudential Montana Real Estate in Missoula; Peggy Beltrone, Cascade County Commissioner; Len Ford of Ford Construction in Kalispell; Conor Darby of Independent Power Systems in Bozeman; Chris Daum of Oasis Montana in Stevensville; Dave Schaub of Refuge Sustainable Building Center in Bozeman; Matt Hisel of Home Resources in Missoula; Kaaren Jacobson, mayor of Bozeman; John Engen, mayor of Missoula; and Ron Tussing, mayor of Billings.

Full Opinion: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/article_9292a314-a912-11de-9683-001cc4c03286.html

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Guest Opinion: Senators should support clean energy for Montana’s future http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/guest/article_f4b404ce-a8b9-11de-bded-001cc4c03286.html

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99 MONTANA BUSINESS LEADERS PUSH SENATORS TO SUPPORT STRONG CLIMATE AND CLEAN ENERGY POLICIES Press Conference : http://climatesolutions.org/solutions/States/montana/september-25-montana-teleconference