Idaho State Legislature

Many of you probably read about the 2009 Idaho Legislature coming to a close this year with the House and Senate at odds and feuding with the Governor on transportation issues. All of their energy was expended on the funding battle for roads and bridges while efforts to pass a "local option tax" to fund public transportation failed. Although this was another bleak session for the environment there were a few rays of sunshine. A bill to assist low-income utility customers was short by just one Senate vote and two important renewable energy bills made it through the House only to be held up by committee. Attempts to create a process for state review of applications for siting and expansion of major energy facilities (>50MW) failed yet again. But after years of discussion, a modified green schools bill passed. The bill provides voluntary incentives to encourage school districts to build more energy efficient school buildings. Woohoo!

Overall, energy issues were more visible this session than in any other and some legislators are considering how Idaho can begin to implement progressive energy policies next year. Sierra Club partnered with the Snake River Alliance (SRA) to hold our first-ever energy lobby day at the statehouse that turned out over 25 citizen lobbyists. While it’s too early to know how ambitious the legislature’s re-approved Interim Energy Committee will be in tackling both failed and new bills on renewables and efficiency, more legislators are hearing from constituents who are demanding action and that is a huge step in the right direction.

Also this year, the Sierra Club joined forces with SRA to form an "Idaho Energy Collaborative" in an effort to provide conservation groups and green businesses a united voice on energy issues. It is a diverse group that meets monthly. The collaborative has met with and sent several letters to the Office of Energy Resources (OER) and the Governor regarding Idaho’s share of the federal stimulus money (re-printed in the Boise Weekly). Utility regulators and OER made commitments to seriously consider energy efficiency this year. It seems like regulators, legislators, and OER finally recognize the need to begin implementing the state’s mostly disregarded 2007 Energy Plan.

Idaho’s waterways continue to be threatened by invasive aquatic species. The boat sticker bill passed which provides funding to prevent the introduction of quagga and zebra mussels and other damaging aquatic invaders. Clean your boats and equipment always! Our volunteers help out by pulling invasive plant species in our on-the-ground work projects -- call 384-1023 to find out about the next one.

Farmers will be pleased to know that a resolution passed that calls for an interim committee to assess the loss of Idaho’s rural working lands. And a few months back you received a comment postcard on protecting Idaho’s bighorn sheep population. Several bills were introduced but unfortunately the one that passed limits the Idaho Department of Fish and Game from taking necessary steps to recover bighorns. The result will be fewer bighorn sheep and they may ultimately end up joining the ranks of the endangered.

As we painfully noted in our last newsletter, mining companies received a permanent exemption from Idaho’s rules which were designed to protect groundwater from contamination. Idahoan’s should be outraged that their water for drinking, irrigation and industry is being sacrificed. This exemption will create untold problems for future generations. Another disappointment was the denial by the legislature to strengthen septic tank regulations. Greater protections would have been afforded to water quality and public health from failing septic tanks. What can you do? Remember that Idaho is a citizen legislature -- this means that you not only have the right, you have the responsibility to let your voice be heard!