Bozeman, Missoula and Helena pursue 100% clean energy

Missoula County and the cities of Missoula, Helena and Bozeman have agreed to pursue 100% green energy by the year 2030. On Monday, Feb. 8, Helena was the last of the four local governments to disclose the interlocal agreement to advance clean energy goals through a green tariff.

NorthWestern Energy provides a vast majority of the electricity in these three cities and is collaborating with the local governments in the development of this green tariff to ensure the most efficient advancements. This tariff will give customers the option to purchase renewable energy to power their homes with a special rate applied on utility bills —helping to avoid taxation. The governments have designated funds in their 2021 fiscal-year budgets to make this a possibility for those who want to participate.

This partnership is vital to the shared goal of 100% clean energy as climate change has become an urgent global crisis. In a joint media release, Dave Strohmaier, the Missoula County Commissioner, said, “The green tariff is an important step in the right direction, but it’s only the first step.” According to the Billings Gazette, the sustainability coordinators of these cities hope their efforts for a cleaner energy source will motivate a statewide movement toward clean energy.

Bozeman, Helena and Missoula are three of the biggest cities in Montana and community leaders hope their collaboration won’t go unnoticed by smaller communities in the state who are also striving for cleaner energy sources. “It is eminently clear that Montanans value clean energy,” Missoula City Council President Bryan von Lossberg said. “And anyone looking forward sees we have the innovative expertise and resources to meet that vision.” Lossberg invites other local governments to join the effort in building Montana’s statewide energy portfolio. Terry Cunningham, the Bozeman City Commissioner, is enthusiastic about the initiative. “This partnership is our best chance to exert the collective influence that will be required to facilitate this transition,” he said. The partnership signals a shift in energy priorities in Montana as climate change threatens economic and environmental health in the state.