Monthly Archives: April 2023

Climate Justice Forum: Earth Day Wildfire Film & Oregon Climate Strikes, Coal, Sunken, & Unsafe U.S. Trains, Falling Gas Demand, Native Mine Blockade, B.C. Police & Pipeline Opposition 4-26-23

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The Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on an Earth Day screening of a Northwest wildfire film in Newport and excessive north Idaho coal and oil trains, U.S. railroads’ comparably high derailment and fatality rates, an unknown, century-old, sunken train in Lake Pend Oreille, an injurious train crash and forest fire in Maine, Spokane faith leaders and Oregon youth climate strike protests of Northwest fracked gas pipeline expansion and a Portland fossil fuels hub, falling U.S. natural gas production and demand, a Native elders blockade of Nevada lithium mine construction, Canadian actions to abolish a police and industry response group, and First Nation spring resistance camp opportunities in British Columbia.  Broadcast for eleven years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, grassroots, frontline resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

Climate Justice Forum: GTN Xpress Spokane Teach-In, Faith Leaders Letter, & Postponed Decision, Earth Day Events, Idaho Oil & Gas Town Hall & Logging Collaboration, Oil Train Graffiti 4-19-23

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The Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features faith and climate leaders talking about Northwest fracked gas pipeline expansion and its resistance at the April 12 Spokane Community GTN Xpress Teach-In.  We also share news, music, and reflections on anti-oil train graffiti and upcoming Earth Day gatherings in north Idaho and Washington, supporting and opposing views on Lake Pend Oreille deforestation collaboration, an Idaho town hall meeting on recently legislated state oil and gas rules, and a postponed federal decision and faith organizations letter requesting regulator rejection of GTN Xpress.  Broadcast for eleven years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, grassroots, frontline resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

Climate Justice Forum: 12th WIRT Celebrations, Spokane & Canadian Gas Pipeline Resistance, New Idaho Oil & Gas Rules, Colorado Oil Train Opposition, Derailment Aftermaths & Litigation 4-12-23

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The Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on the first 2023 north Idaho thunder, gratitude for twelfth WIRT anniversary celebration performers and participants, an upcoming Spokane teach-in and demonstration against Northwest gas pipeline expansion, a southern Idaho town hall about recently legislated oil and gas rules changes, protests opposing bank financing of British Columbia pipeline construction across Canada and at an annual shareholder meeting excluding indigenous land defenders, derailments and their aftermath in the Swinomish reservation and western Montana, oil and hazardous materials train resistance in Washington and Colorado, and a federal government lawsuit against Norfolk Southern over the February Ohio train wreck.  Broadcast for eleven years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, grassroots, frontline resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

Spokane Community GTN Xpress Teach-In

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Spokane Community GTN Xpress Teach-In BannerOn Wednesday evening, April 12, in Spokane, Washington, faith, spiritual, health, and environmental advocates will lead a community gathering, teach-in, and procession in opposition to the proposed Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) Xpress fracked gas pipeline expansion [1].  The 62-year-old GTN pipeline runs under the Spokane River and through Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley, and other parts of Spokane County [2, 3].  Canadian company TC Energy, owner of the leaking Keystone and rejected Keystone XL tar sands pipelines, and its subsidiary GTN threaten to pump up to 150 million cubic feet of additional methane gas per day through the GTN pipeline that crosses north Idaho, eastern Washington, and central Oregon.

While communities throughout the Northwest shift away from coal, oil, and “natural” gas, fossil fuel companies like TC Energy have adopted a new tactic: bolstering the capacity of aging pipelines.  A broad, regional, Stop GTN Xpress coalition, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, three West Coast state attorneys general, and other concerned Northwesterners are resisting this gas pipeline and compressor station expansion.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) could vote for or against granting project approval as early as April 20.  The GTN Xpress pipeline expansion further risks exposing local, Spokane area, and north Idaho communities to both the dangers and damages of ruptured pipeline explosions, fires, and pollution and the increased carbon and greenhouse gas emissions that are causing more severe storms, droughts, wildfires, and floods [4-6].

The gathering and teach-in at 6:30 pm Pacific time on April 12, at Salem Lutheran Church, 1428 West Broadway Avenue in Spokane, will feature comments from members of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light (WAIPL), Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR), and Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), among other organizations [7-9].  They will offer opportunities to learn about GTN Xpress and its potential impacts on public and environmental health and safety.  After an interactive presentation with speakers, event organizers invite participants to join a procession with signs and banners, walking together several blocks to the banks of the Spokane River, where faith leaders will share a brief group prayer and photograph the demonstration.

To access further information and attend, please contact coordinating groups and visit their websites and RSVP through the event description link [10]. Continue reading →

Climate Justice Forum: Northwest & BC Pipeline Protests, Raids, & Queries, WIRT 12th Anniversary, Idaho City Oil & Gas Leases, Montana, Minnesota, & Washington Derailments, Causes, & Coal Trains 4-5-23

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The Wednesday, April 5, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on coalition actions in Seattle and Spokane, Bellingham safety concern comments, and a federal agency request for information about the proposed GTN Xpress Northwest gas pipeline expansion, upcoming WIRT twelfth anniversary celebrations and myriad past events, southern Idaho city and oil and gas company conflicts over leases, corporate causes of decreasing rail safety, a Montana riverside and tunnel freight derailment and blocked, previously numerous coal trains, a fiery Minnesota ethanol train wreck, Washington and other state derailment numbers, and police raids and bank protests surrounding indigenous resistance to British Columbia pipeline construction.  Broadcast for eleven years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, grassroots, frontline resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

Twelfth Annual Celebration of Wild Idaho Rising Tide

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Twelfth WIRT Celebration FlyerWild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) is celebrating its March 31 anniversary and twelfth year as a regional, climate activists collective confronting the root causes and perpetrators of air pollution, water degradation, and resulting climate change, through direct actions and locally organized solutions, in solidarity with frontline communities and grassroots networks of fossil fuels resistance [1-5].  We welcome everyone of all ages to enjoy this decade-plus milestone at two Twelfth Annual Celebrations of WIRT, held as benefit concerts and potluck gatherings in Sandpoint and Moscow, Idaho, with provided pizza, requested snacks and beverages, and a background slide show of WIRT and allied activism.  WIRT invites and extends our hearty thanks to the remarkable core activists, board members, friends, and allies who have coordinated and shared the successes of ongoing citizen challenges of the corporate and government sources of climate chaos.

Please join WIRT activists on two early spring evenings, for convergences full of musical performances, spirited conversations, invigorating camaraderie, wholesome food and drink, and other creative works offered by north Idaho and regional residents.  At each of these free, lively, public events, we encourage and eagerly anticipate organizers, musicians, and businesses sharing their admired talents and participating as volunteers and/or sponsors.  These yearly festivities not only strive to raise awareness and funds supporting relentless WIRT activism, but also seek to attract and involve cross-cultural, youth, and community member diversity in the climate justice movement in Idaho and the Northwest.

Thursday, April 6, 7 pm: Monarch Mountain Band

Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street, Sandpoint

As a high-energy bluegrass, newgrass, and folk rock trio, the Monarch Mountain Band has been performing at numerous local and regional venues, halls, festivals, fairs, and clubs for close to 30 years [6].  Their high-stepping, toe-tapping, progressive repertoire includes bluegrass standards along with covers of the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Band, Byrds, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and many more.  Offering great entertainment for entire families and friends, the Monarch Mountain Band thrills music enthusiasts of all genres, who appreciate the excellent techniques and pure sounds played by this group of musicians.

Saturday, April 8, 7 pm: Fiddlin’ Big Al & Guests

The Attic, 314 East Second Street (rear, second story), Moscow

KRFP Radio Free Moscow DJ and board member and core WIRT activist Fiddlin’ Big Al Chidester performs ragtime, honky-tonk piano, fiddle, and guitar, singing old-time, country blues and original, socio-political satire songs [7].  Al started the practice of playing traditional, phase-shifted, electric viola, adding to his multi-instrumental, experimental, Americana repertoire offered on mandolin, banjo, dobro, and lap steel guitar.  He writes humorous, topical songs about peace, freedom, and political hypocrisy, some recorded on his 2004 album Where Were You the Night New Orleans Drowned? and Other Songs for Our Time.  Besides performing at Northwest barter fairs and hosting a long-running jam session at the Moscow Moose Lodge, Fiddlin’ Big Al broadcasts several weekly, KRFP, music shows, giving airplay to an eclectic mix of genre-bending music, recorded performances from regional venues, and occasional, live, studio sessions. Continue reading →