Author Archives: WIRT

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About WIRT

The WIRT collective is part of an international, grassroots network of groups and individuals who take direct action to confront the root causes of climate change and to promote local, community-based solutions to the climate crisis.

Transportation Secretary’s Visit is Invitation-Only

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A group of about 50 Port of Lewiston customers, local elected officials, and reporters have been asked to attend an invitation-only Wednesday visit of a White House Cabinet official.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will tour the Port of Lewiston port dock at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release issued Monday by the port.

LaHood will be joined by Idaho Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch in an event expected to last about 45 minutes.

Wood products and agriculture entrepreneurs will also be among the guests, said David Doeringsfeld, Lewiston port manager. “It’s not often you get a Cabinet secretary in Lewiston, and we’re pretty excited.”

LaHood will be underlining a June $1.3 million federal grant to the port’s container dock expansion from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant program, Doeringsfeld said. Continue reading →

Megaloads are Gone, but Moscow Activists Aren’t

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Helen Yost is a spokeswoman for the activist group Wild Idaho Rising Tide (The Lewiston Tribune/David Johnson photo).

Wild Idaho Rising Tide continues with its objective of being a climate change watchdog group.

The megaloads may be gone, but Wild Idaho Rising Tide – the activist group credited and blamed for forcing oil company infrastructure loads to circumvent this town – remains.

Spokeswoman Helen Yost confirmed Monday that WIRT has established a semi-secret headquarters here for the climate change watchdog organization.

“It’s sort of a headquarters and office as well,” Yost said. “We share the location with our members and folks in the community. But because there can be some backlash against climate activists like us, we aren’t necessarily making that (the address) available to the public.”

Local concerns about potential retaliation, however, didn’t stop Yost from speaking out about big-picture issues, including the state of American politics. Continue reading →

Coal Export Action 8-18-12

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Thanks to the amazing work of Blue Skies Campaign and hundreds of our fellow climate activists from 16 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces, the August 12 to 18 and 20 Coal Export Action raised awareness and staged multiple actions against coal extraction and export in Montana and across the Northwest.  Wild Idaho Rising Tide participated in a Helena Farmers Market demonstration, Montana Capitol teach-in and group photos, and Montana Rail Link coal train rally and photos on Saturday, August 18.  But this is only the beginning, King Coal…

(All photos by Steve Liptay except the first by Helen Yost)

Climate Justice Forum: Crystal Lameman & Lowell Chandler 8-20-12

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On Wild Idaho Rising Tide’s (WIRT) Monday, August 20, Climate Justice Forum radio program, we welcome Crystal Lameman, a Beaver Lake Cree First Nation activist and the Peace River tar sands campaigner for the Indigenous Environmental Network in Alberta, talking about current indigenous lawsuits against the Canadian provincial and federal governments and efforts to restore Native treaty rights and stop Alberta tar sands exploitation.  Blue Skies Campaign organizer and spokesperson Lowell Chandler of Missoula, Montana, describes August 12 to 20 Coal Export Action protests and activities at the Montana Capitol and in Helena as well as recent issue updates.  Broadcast on KRFP Radio Free Moscow between 7:30 and 9:30 pm PDT live at 92.5 FM and online, the show also covers continent-wide climate activism news.  Listen to an edited recording of the August 20 Climate Justice Forum posted in Radio4All and adopt WIRT as your KRFP DJ.

Top Federal Official to Visit Port of Lewiston Next Week

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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will present grant

A top-level White House official will be visiting the Port of Lewiston Wednesday with Idaho’s governor.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. at 1626 Sixth Avenue North in Lewiston, according to the governor’s office.  He’ll be accompanied by Idaho Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter, Senator Mike Crapo, and Senator Jim Risch, both R-Idaho.

LaHood is a member of the Cabinet who advises the president.  The men will be presenting a federal grant to the Port of Lewiston, according to the governor’s office.

The port received $1.3 million in June to expand its dock from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant program.  It’s not clear if the award that will be given Wednesday is the same. Continue reading →

U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon Not Likely to Oppose Coal Exports

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U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon Not Likely to Oppose Coal Exports between 30:08 and 29:00 on the Friday, August 17, KRFP Radio Free Moscow Evening Report, More Cove-Mallard

Helena Coal Protests

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Coal Export Action between 21:07 and 20:12 on the Tuesday, August 14, KRFP Radio Free Moscow Evening Report, Dynamic Ad Signs, and Arch Coal Applies to Extract 1.5 Billion Tons of Powder River Coal between 14:52 and 11:57 on the Thursday, August 16, KRFP Radio Free Moscow Evening Report, Helena Coal Protests

Climate Justice Forum: Climate Activists 8-13-12

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The Monday, August 13, Climate Justice Forum radio program hosted by Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) features local activists talking about participation in the Third Annual Tar Sands Healing Walk at Fort McMurray, Alberta, the Coal Export Action in Helena, Montana, a fracking  protest in New York state, and other dirty energy resistance in Moscow, Idaho, and beyond.  Listen to the show online at KRFP Radio Free Moscow or at 92.5 FM between 7:30 and 9:30 pm PDT, as we cover news about climate activism and upcoming actions across the continent, and adopt WIRT as your KRFP DJ!

WIRT House & 8/16 Potluck, 8/18-19 Coal Export Action, & Healing Walk Outcomes

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Dear friends,

Open Activist House, Monthly Potluck, & WIRT Housemate

This week, Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) will celebrate one month of productive work in our new location.  Please visit between noon and 8 pm daily whenever you can to participate in our diverse initiatives, such as:

* Vigilance of potential megaloads using nearby ports and highways

* An Idaho fracking ban ballot measure and upcoming protests

* A Latah County/Moscow community bill of rights

* Moscow area canvass and regional student outreach

* Climate Justice Forum radio program coordination and support

* WIRT website, facebook page, and email newsletter

As you witnessed at our dozens of megaload protests, your participation is crucial to the success of these ongoing campaigns.  To nurture our community spirit, brainstorm group projects, and match your skills and passion with essential tasks, we are launching monthly potlucks (maybe even with post-meeting music!) at the WIRT Activist House in Moscow, on the third Thursday of every month.  The first such convergence will commence next Thursday, August 16, at 7 pm.  Please bring your friends, favorite food and/or beverage of choice, and your most zealous climate activism ideas.  We are also still searching for a second activist inhabitant of the WIRT House, ideally from among our ranks.  Please let us know soon if you would like to share this great living and community space for only $350 per month.  Otherwise, we will open its one bedroom availability to the public this week. Continue reading →