Article published Feb 26, 2008

Public opinions sought in state climate change survey

By DIANE CONRADI

The debate about climate change in Montana is entering a new phase. Thanks to the hard work of the Montana Climate Change Action Committee, when Montanans, and their lawmakers, talk about ways to minimize the profound consequences that global warming could have on the economy, they can do so based on a comprehensive, well-supported plan which recommends 54 ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

For the state's Environmental Quality Council, the interim legislative committee deciding whether to propose legislation for the 2009 legislature on the issue of climate change, the plan provides a great starting point for the discussions that will undoubtedly continue as Montana's legislators consider their options on this very important issue at a very pivotal time.

Everyone has a chance to weigh in on this significant topic. The EQC encourages Montanans to review these climate change recommendations on-line, offer feedback, and to submit new ideas for consideration. Please take time to complete the EQC's online survey at www.leg.mt.gov/css/climate_survey.asp.

As a public appointee to the EQC, and someone who does not deal with climate change issues on a daily basis, I confess that it took me time to get up to speed on greenhouse gas/carbon emission/energy terminology. It also took time to become familiar with the elements and structure of the climate change recommendations offered by the Montana Climate Change Action Committee, and to understand the technical legislative solutions outlined in the survey. But, when I think about what is at stake for future Montanans, it feels like a small price to pay to be able to meaningfully join in working together toward thoughtful solutions to complex problems.

Results of the plan make clear that things have changed in Montana over the past 15 years. As recently as 1995, Montana was a carbon "sink," or an area that actually traps and holds carbon from the atmosphere in trees, grasses, soils and water. In a few short years, that has all changed and Montana is now a net greenhouse gas emitter. In fact, according to the report, Montanans currently emit greenhouse gases at twice the national average, a rate projected to rise every year if we take no action.

Some of these solutions focus on how Montana farms, ranches, families and businesses can reduce their consumption of energy to reduce energy production. For example, by just improving energy efficiency of new and existing buildings with increased insulation, recycled and local materials, and more efficient appliances, Montanans can significantly reduce emissions and save money on energy bills. But if we wanted to achieve the maximum reduction for the least cost, we could adopt a "clean car" standard like one implemented in California.

Other solutions focus on the complex issue of energy production. Since Montana exports more power than we use in our state, the plan also considers how to best approach this disparity and how to determine how much electricity we should generate in Montana. For example, should we develop our extensive coal resources which are considered the single largest contributing factor to global warming?

Should we consider increasing the role of renewable energy sources in our state-wide energy portfolio, increasing the efficiency of existing Montana power plants, and even storing excess CO2 deep underground (sequestration)?

Some of these good ideas have been discussed for many years, but may not be easily implemented today because they are technologically infeasible, prohibitively expensive, or would further benefit from federal legislation to create a 50-state cap on carbon emissions.

How the 2009 Montana state Legislature may act on climate change recommendations remains to be seen. But two things are certain: the dialogue about how to address climate change within Montana state government has begun and the Montana Climate Change Action Committee Plan provides a solid foundation for those discussions.

Look at Bob Decker's column linked to this article for : A surprisingly different view of the EQC survey.