The Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on an Idaho bill that would change oil and gas rules on state oversight and well spacing and forced leasing, Arizona corn syrup train wreck monitoring, causes of a Washington derailment that spewed locomotive diesel in the Swinomish reservation, a federal trial and ruling against oil trains violating a Swinomish easement agreement, a North Dakota hazardous materials train disaster, a railroad merger causing safety concerns about tar sands shipments, First Nation and U.S. elder protests of bank support of a contested gas pipeline and fossil fuels, and litigation challenging the approved Willow oil extraction project in Alaska. 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
Author Archives: WIRT
Climate Justice Forum: Idaho Senate Hearing on Oil & Gas Rules, Relocated Newport Silicon Smelter, Washington Derailments, Ohio Railroad Lawsuit, Colorado Oil Train Opposition 3-22-23
The Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features an Idaho Senate Resources and Environment committee hearing about House Bill 120 that would change oil and gas rules on extraction spacing units, oversight commission appointments, and forced lease terms for unwilling private mineral owners. We also share news, music, and reflections on the emerging spring season, a resisted and relocated Washington silicon smelter under construction in Tennessee, Washington derailments that killed an elk herd and spewed locomotive diesel on the oil train litigating Swinomish reservation, an Ohio attorney general lawsuit challenging Norfolk Southern hazardous train wreck impacts, and opposition by Colorado officials to proposed Utah crude oil-by-rail along the Colorado River. 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: Idaho Oil & Gas, Utility, & Energy Bills, Washington Rejection of Pipeline Expansion, Russian Gas Pipeline Destruction, Virginia Rail Safety Protest & Northwest Influenced Laws 3-15-23
The Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on proposed and passed Idaho legislation changing forced leasing and other oil and gas rules, preempting local governments from restricting fossil fuels utility uses, and labeling nuclear as clean energy, a Washington governor letter urging federal regulators to reject Northwest gas pipeline expansion, a report implicating White House officials conspiring to destroy Russian gas pipelines before the Ukraine invasion, a Virginia protest calling for railroad safety after several Norfolk Southern derailments, and Northwest Congressional members considering bipartisan rail regulation bills prompted by an Ohio hazardous 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
Climate Justice Forum: Northwest Pipeline Expansion Resistance, Idaho Bills on Forced Gas Leasing & Building, First Nation Culture Webinar, Erin Brockovich as Terrorist, Cop City Railroad Support 3-8-23
The Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on the recent March 2023 full moon and KRFP Real Radio dinner and auction, protests planning meetings and comments of environmental, faith, and health professional groups opposed to Northwest fracked gas pipeline expansion, Idaho legislature bills changing oil and gas mapping and forced leasing laws and banning local governments from restricting natural gas in new structures, an upcoming webinar on Wet’suwet’en First Nation culture in British Columbia, a police report labeling environmental advocate Erin Brockovich as a terrorist supporting Ohio train derailment victims, and Norfolk Southern Railway donations toward a proposed Atlanta cop training facility. 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
GTN Xpress Pipeline Protests Meetings & Winter Updates
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Protests Planning Meetings
While TC Energy desperately seeks to offload its stranded Canadian gas assets on the Northwest with the GTN Xpress expansion project proposed for the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline, and pits elected Idaho politicians against their western Democrat neighbors, dozens of nonprofit organizations are coordinating authentic, public opposition to GTN Xpress. These community groups, including Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), assert that the project is inconsistent with regional efforts to transition away from reliance on polluting, planet-warming fossil fuels. Resistance to GTN Xpress continues to grow, as thousands of Northwest residents work together to demand that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) deny this risky plan and responsibly uphold regionally legislated goals for diminishing use of climate-changing, fracked gas. With a final FERC decision on the project expected as early as March 16 (postponed from the commission’s third Thursday, monthly meeting on February 16), we again invite you and your friends, family, and colleagues to join us in active rejection of this unnecessary fossil fuels invasion of the Northwest, as TC Energy and its subsidiary GTN scheme to increase the volume and pressure in their 62-year-old pipeline, just like TC Energy did in the decade-old Keystone tar sands pipeline, before it burst in Kansas on December 7, 2022.
In preparation for a possible March 16, FERC decision, WIRT and allies in three cities are holding in-person planning meetings to organize the next pipeline protests with eager activists across the inland Northwest. We hope that you will participate in these gatherings and encourage your trusted comrades to attend.
* Saturday, March 4, at 3 pm at The Attic, up the back stairs of 314 East Second Street in Moscow, Idaho
* Sunday, March 5, at 1 pm at the Community Building, 35 West Main Street in Spokane, Washington
* Monday, March 6, at 7 pm at the Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street in Sandpoint, Idaho
For further information, please see and share the linked coalition videos about GTN Xpress resistance and the February 13 People’s Hearing, send your written comments sharing your concerns about GTN Xpress (Docket CP22-2-000) to FERC soon, peruse the enclosed and linked information promised with the People’s Hearing announcement and covering four months of campaign activity from mid-November 2022 until mid-February 2023, contact WIRT with your questions and suggestions, and expect further updates about upcoming, responsively scheduled protests and other urgent actions. WIRT and partner groups appreciate your work and input on this crucial issue that requires even more public participation, especially in the environmental and political sacrifice zones of Idaho.
Stop GTN Xpress, January 30, 2023 Rogue Climate
People’s Hearing to Stop GTN Xpress, February 14, 2023 350PDX
How to File a Comment, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FERC Online: Web Applications, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Pipeline Impacts & Winter Updates Continue reading
Climate Justice Forum: Nick Engelfried on Youth Climate Movement, Musician Isaac Murdoch, Spokane, Northwest, & BC Pipeline & Police Resistance, Cheaper Wind & Solar than Coal Power 3-1-23
The Wednesday, March 1, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features Nick Engelfried, a Northwest climate advocate, environmental educator and founder of Reconnect Earth, and freelance journalist and author of Movement Makers about American youth climate activism. We also share news, music, and reflections on Ontario indigenous musician and artist Isaac Murdoch, a people’s hearing, a request for governor opposition, and Spokane area and Northwest resistance to a proposed gas pipeline expansion, a British Columbia First Nation lawsuit against police violations of pipeline protester rights, and a study on wind and solar power generation cheaper than coal-fired power plant operations. 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: People’s Hearing Testimony to Stop Northwest Pipeline Expansion, New Tribal Lawsuit against Nevada Lithium Mine, Idaho River Diesel Spill, Railroad Hazmat Risks 2-22-23
The Wednesday, February 22, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features community members threatened by the Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline expansion project, testifying at the February 13 People’s Hearing to Stop GTN Xpress hosted by a Northwest coalition. We also share news, videos, and reflections on a new lawsuit filed by three tribes protecting their northern Nevada lands from the Thacker Pass lithium mine, a semi-truck crash and diesel spill into a north Idaho river, and railroaded hazardous materials risks to American trackside communities. 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 People’s Hearing Speakers, Oregon Protests, & Idaho News, Ohio Chemical Train & Oregon Locomotive Wrecks, Idaho Highway Wetlands & Construction 2-15-23
The Wednesday, February 15, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features lead speakers at the February 13 People’s Hearing to Stop GTN Xpress, hosted by a Northwest coalition to gather testimony from community members threatened by Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline expansion and avoided by federal regulators. We also share news, music, and reflections on the Ohio chemical train derailment still sickening area residents and caused by reduced railroad safety measures and increased plastics production, a triple locomotive wreck and diesel spill near an Oregon river, resumed construction and wetlands concerns for a north Idaho highway reroute, and Idaho media coverage and central Oregon protests of proposed GTN Xpress fracked gas pipeline expansion. 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
People’s Hearing on GTN Xpress
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Starting at 5 pm Pacific time and 6 pm Mountain time on Monday evening, February 13, a Northwest coalition of nonprofit organizations, including 350 Deschutes, 350 PDX, Columbia Riverkeeper, Rogue Climate, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), will host a People’s Hearing on Canadian company TC Energy’s proposal to expand fracked “natural” gas exported through the aging Gas Transmission Northwest (GTN) pipeline and compressor stations that span north Idaho, eastern Washington, and central Oregon. This hybrid town hall, convened online and in-person at the Gardenia Center (400 Church Street in Sandpoint, Idaho) and at the Rogue Climate office (205 North Phoenix Road, Suite G, Phoenix, Oregon), offers participants opportunities to learn about the potential impacts of the GTN Xpress expansion project and to provide testimony recorded and sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the project docket.
Among concerned, regional community members and environmental and climate advocates sharing their insights and stories, the People’s Hearing on GTN Xpress will feature these key speakers:
* U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon
* Audrey Leonard, staff attorney of Columbia Riverkeeper
* Peter McCartney, climate campaigner of Wilderness Committee
* Dr. Annemarie Dooley, physician and board member of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
* Naghmana Sherazi, activist and board member of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light
Please RSVP and register to join this virtual conference at bit.ly/peopleshearing_gtn and/or gather at the Gardenia Center or Rogue Climate office and contact WIRT for further information [1]. Timely input from citizens and local elected officials to FERC before its possible decision on this project on Thursday, March 16, is crucial to halting the GTN Xpress fossil fuels onslaught [2]. Along with commenting and/or testifying to FERC, help support this resistance by amplifying a new video recently launched by the grassroots coalition, through social media posts email messages, and other methods [3]. Also reach out to any of the partner groups, if your organization is interested in joining the fight to #StopGTNXpress. Within the next few days, WIRT will add to this post and send further descriptions of pipeline expansion impacts and issue updates, to assist involvement in this campaign. Continue reading
Climate Justice Forum: Maig Tinnin on Northwest Pipeline Expansion & Hearing, Idaho Highway Wetlands, Logging Collaboratives, Nevada Lithium Mine Ruling, Pipeline & Railroad Protests 2-8-23
The Wednesday, February 8, 2023, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features Rogue Climate coordinator Maig Tinnin talking about southern Oregon wildfire aftermaths and the environmental and social impacts and Northwest community opposition to GTN Xpress fracked gas pipeline expansion. We also share news, music, and reflections on a north Idaho wetland analysis along a Highway 95 reroute, failed Forest Service logging collaborative processes, responses to a federal court decision favoring northern Nevada lithium mining, comments against Mountain Valley pipeline destruction of national forests, an upcoming online action demanding Uinta Basin Railway rejection, and a February 13 People’s Hearing to stop increased Northwest pipeline gas. 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.
(Links to program material forthcoming)