Gallatin Valley Sunrise Movement protests NorthWestern fossil fuel investment

On the warm sunny evening of Friday, Sept. 23, chants of “NorthWestern, step off it, put people over profit,” and “When our planet is under attack, what do we do? Fight back,” could be heard from a group of community members marching toward Northwestern Energy. These protestors were a part of the Sunrise Movement’s Gallatin Valley hub, participating in The Fridays for Future global climate strike. The Sunrise Movement is a U.S-based youth movement that is working to stop climate change by supporting equitable solutions that create jobs in the implementation of new green technology. 

Along with its demonstration on Friday, the Sunrise Movement sent a letter to Bob Rowe, CEO of NorthWestern Energy, proposing its Bright Communities Plan. This letter, submitted with about 1,000 signatures, outlines four requests the Sunrise Movement has for NorthWestern: “a commitment to 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030, a complete halt on new fossil fuel infrastructure, definite retirement dates for dirty plants already in operation and justice and equity for marginalized communities.” 

The letter argues that NorthWestern Energy’s “Net Zero by 2050 Plan” does not take drastic enough action to meet the scale of the global crisis, citing research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and pointing to NorthWestern Energy’s plans to continue investing in fossil fuels.

Among those present was Sabrina Morgan, an MSU senior studying conservation ecology. Speaking about the group’s goals to incentivize renewable power sources, she explained how protests can make a difference in public opinion. “I think the biggest impact that getting community members out here in front of their doors is pure public attention…if we can get the people who hold the most power in NorthWestern Energy – their stockholders – to say they want NorthWestern to change where we get our energy from, I think that’s the only way they can actually change,” Morgan said.

Denise Hayman, who serves in district 66 of the Montana House of Representatives, spoke outside of Northwestern Energy’s Bozeman office. The representative protested ratepayers covering the cost of a proposed methane gas plant in Laurel.

Hayman also specifically described what the effect would be on residents, “As prices rise and families struggle, Northwestern is proposing to raise residential rates by 25%, and it’s proposing to raise rates on all other classes of customers. That means the guys who depend on their irrigation ditches are going to see an increase of 7 to 48%, and we know that a lot of ranchers and farmers are struggling.” 

Rose, a 14-year-old from Bozeman High School described the effects she sees personally, “Summers are now really hot, and our winters are really hot, and then things get really cold all of a sudden when they shouldn’t. It’s just interesting to see how many different things are affected by it. It’s more than unfortunate, it’s aggravating really, and companies like [NorthWestern] just keep making more money, I just don’t know what’s going through their minds.”

Mary Corelli, a local therapist, shared her experience raising a child during climate change. She said, “it’s incredible to me as an adult to feel the dissonance between love of nature and human civilization. I am a part of both. How can a child reconcile this?” 

“NorthWestern Energy has the opportunity to change the way our children think. They could be the reason I tell my child this electricity comes from the wind. It’s healthier for our planet. I want our children to know that there is hope,” Corelli said.

“It’s very isolating to live in a world that’s run by greed…moments like these I think are a great opportunity to be actually reminded that people care, and that we can act together, and that it’s happening all over the world,” Corelli said.

In a statement given by Jo Dee Black, a public relations specialist for NorthWestern Energy following the September protest, they explained their efforts to generate renewable power. NorthWestern Energy serves Montana electric customers with generation from a portfolio of 60% carbon-free resources, Montana hydro facilities and wind generation and some solar generation. Nationally, the electric industry uses 40% carbon-free generation resources, Black said. 

“NorthWestern Energy delivers safe, reliable electric and natural gas service affordably around the clock to our customers with a balanced portfolio of resources… We are increasing our access to even more clean energy resources responsibly, without jeopardizing our continued commitment to providing customers with reliable, safe and affordable critical energy service,” Black said. They did not speak specifically to the Bright Communities Plan or investment in a new natural gas plant in Laurel.

Marie Lynn, a grandmother in Bozeman who had been to a previous Sunrise Movement protest in March said, “I felt really happy to support this group of young folks, and I think they got the right idea to make some noise about the climate and try to hold NorthWestern Energy accountable. You know, I got grandkids, I want the planet in a lot better shape when they inherit it, I do. I don’t know if that’s feasible or not.” 

August Schuerr, a 22-year-old machinist in Bozeman said, “specifically targeting NorthWestern, which is very local, feels like it can actually do something. Since we’re going right to Northwestern, we’re going to be in their faces a little bit, and they’re going to be forced to see us, so that’s pretty cool.” 

Lily Morse, a 17-year-old at Bozeman High School also spoke at the rally, “I see a future with big skies and clean water. I see a future where we have a voice. I see a future where the well-being of everyone matters more than the accumulation of wealth and power in the hands of a few. I see a future of justice and equity for marginalized communities…And I see a future of clean renewable energy... We have a future. A bright one. So right now, I’m asking you to join us. Help us create this better future.” 

The full letter to Bob Rowe can be read here: https://gallatinvalleysunrise.org/nwe-letter/