Climate Justice Forum: Idaho Megaloads & Lake Herbicides, Canada Rail Strike, Costlier California Utilities, GTN Xpress Rehearing Rejection, BC & Wisconsin Pipeline Opposition 8-28-24

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The Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on north Idaho megaloads bound for an Alaska refinery and reduced Union Pacific train traffic from a nationwide Canadian rail workers strike, toxic herbicide treatments in and around Lake Pend Oreille, increased customer utility bills from additional California methane gas infrastructure, an ongoing Northwest construction report and federal agency arguments against a request for a permit rehearing for the GTN Xpress gas pipeline expansion, indigenous land defender blockades and defense hearings refuting two British Columbia methane pipelines, and opposition and comments on the Line 5 tar sands pipeline in Wisconsin.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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: Jack Willingham, Jerry Briggs, Dan Zegart, & Jane Kleeb on 2020 Satartia, Mississippi, Carbon Pipeline Rupture, Impacts, Aftermath, & Safety Concerns 8-21-24

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The Wednesday, August 21, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features an Pipeline Fighters Hub webinar covering the February 2020 carbon pipeline rupture in the small, rural Mississippi town of Satartia.  A panel of emergency responders Jack Willingham and Jerry Briggs, journalist Dan Zegart, and Jane Kleeb of Bold Alliance discuss their on-site experiences, community health impacts and lingering aftermath, and the critical safety concerns of carbon pipelines.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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 Rules & New Collaborative, Spokane Climate Ordinance, GTN Xpress Construction & Emissions, New Jersey Pipeline Rejection, Manchin Energy Bill 8-14-24

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The Wednesday, August 14, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news, music, and reflections on Idaho public hearings and proposed changes to state oil and gas development rules, a new north Idaho collaborative proposing federal legislation that “balances” public lands uses, a Spokane ordinance that would create a citizen board guiding climate and sustainability policies, Northwest GTN Xpress methane pipeline expansion information, compressor station construction, and greenhouse gas emissions, appeals court rejection of federal approval of a similar New Jersey gas infrastructure proposal, and a Senator Manchin, Congressional bill that supports dirty energy permitting.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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: Stephanie Roe on Climate Changed Heat, Idaho Oil Trains & Rail Safety Award, GTN Xpress Construction & Legal Arguments, Rejected New Jersey Pipeline Approval 8-7-24

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The Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Roe, the World Wildlife Fund global climate and energy lead scientist explaining climate change-driven heat waves, key indicators of their impacts, and possible actions to reduce and adapt to extreme heat.  We also share news, music, and reflections on recent north Idaho oil train traffic, an Idaho agency railway safety award for reduced train and vehicle collisions, started Washington compressor station construction and Northwest state and environmental group arguments against the GTN Xpress methane pipeline expansion, and an appeals court challenge and victory over similarly flawed federal approval of a New Jersey gas infrastructure proposal.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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: Guy McPherson on Climate & Extinction, Kalispel Indigenous Paddle, Idaho Rail Expansion & Fire, Oregon Anti-Pipeline Actions, Washington Methane Ballot Measure 7-31-24

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The Wednesday, July 31, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features a presentation by University of Arizona professor emeritus and climate-caused human extinction scientist Guy McPherson.  We also share news, music, and reflections on a Kalispel and indigenous canoe journey in the Idaho and Washington, Pend Oreille watershed, a rail yard-adjacent, wildland fire and environmental impacts of doubled tracks and rail bridges near Sandpoint, Idaho, a protest, petition delivery, and ongoing resistance to the GTN Xpress methane pipeline expansion around Bend, Oregon, and a November 2024, Washington ballot measure seeking to prevent “natural” gas phase-out.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

2024 Paddle to Kalispel Powwow

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Kalispel Paddle Schedule 2024

On Monday, July 29, through Friday, August 2, Kalispel and regional tribal members and the River Warrior Society are holding the eighth annual Paddle to Kalispel Powwow canoe journey [1-7].  The paddle usually voyages from Lake Pend Oreille and Qpqpe (Sandpoint), Idaho, to the Qlispe (Kalispel) Village in Cusick, Washington, during the week before the yearly Kalispel Powwow and around the time of the Festival at Sandpoint music concerts.  In this cultural journey, families and friends are again paddling in traditional, dugout, wooden and sturgeon nose canoes, as their ancestors did for travel, fishing, and fun, over 50 miles through their home lands and waters among the tributaries, lake, and river of the Pend Oreille watershed.

While oil and gas pipeline and fossil fuels pipeline-on-rails transportation and infrastructure expansions impose and risk further harms to indigenous people and places locally and across Turtle Island (North America), Native neighbors continue to revive, uphold, and practice their ancient cultures and sustainable ways, through admirable endeavors like this canoe journey and culminating powwow.  Paddle organizers invite and encourage tribal allies and everyone to contact them in advance or just join this joyful resurgence at various route locations, as they accommodate as many participants and observers as they can.

The canoe journey tentatively begins on Monday, July 29, with setting up camp at Sam Owen Campground off Hope Peninsula Road near Hope, Idaho.  On Tuesday, July 30, participants plan to paddle to the Bear Paw petroglyphs, share prayers and lunch there, then portage from the campground to Sandpoint.  Like during previous years, and as depicted in linked photos and articles about prior journeys, Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) activists and area groups intend to welcome the paddlers at Sandpoint, during their arrival on Tuesday evening and departure on Wednesday morning, July 30 and 31 [1-7].

The voyage will re-start around 9 am on Wednesday, July 31, from the boat ramp on the south side of City Beach Park in Sandpoint, and break for lunch near the Dover Bay, Idaho, docks.  Another portage may occur to/at the Riley Creek Recreation Area boat launch, 1099 Riley Creek Park Drive in Laclede, Idaho, before paddling to and camping on Kalispel tribal lands at the Carey Creek Game Management Area, on the north side of Dufort Road, near Hayden Ranch Road and Priest River, Idaho.  On Thursday, August 1, paddlers will portage around the dam from Albeni Cove campground, 2141 Albeni Cove Road in Oldtown, Idaho, and enjoy lunch in Newport, Washington, before launching again from downstream Pioneer Park and pushing toward the Bear Paw camp.  And on Friday, August 2, they will paddle, lunch at Davis Creek, and land at their destination of the Kalispel Powwow Grounds, 1981 Le Clerc Road North on the Kalispel Reservation.

Please see the enclosed event schedule, which is subject to change, and join WIRT in supporting this adventure.  If you would like further information about the trip itinerary, logistics, and ways to help, or if you hope to paddle, serve as ground crew, share a prayer or song, or feed participants breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and/or drinks, please contact Warren, Nathan, and/or Betty Jo Piengkham, by calling, texting, or facebook messaging them. Continue reading →

Climate Justice Forum: Guy McPherson on Human Extinction, Kalispel Canoe Journey, First Nations Work Party & BC Pipeline Concerns, 1/3 GTN Xpress Gas Start, 2 Hottest Ever Days 7-24-24

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The Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features a presentation by University of Arizona professor emeritus and climate-caused human extinction scientist Guy McPherson.  We also share news, music, and reflections on an upcoming Kalispel and indigenous canoe journey in Idaho and Washington, an August work party at a First Nation healing center in British Columbia, native concerns about police violence around Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline construction in Canada, a request, approval, and start of one-third increased compressor capacity of the GTN Xpress methane pipeline expansion across the Northwest, and the two hottest days in recorded Earth history during the last week.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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: Bill McKibben on Climate in Oregon, Spokane Oil Trains Talk, One-Third GTN Xpress Pipeline Approval, Idaho County & State Oil & Gas Rules Changes & Hearings 7-17-24

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The Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features climate activist, author, and 350 and Third Act co-founder Bill McKibben, speaking for a Locus Focus radio interview and at a recent gathering in Portland, Oregon.  We also share news, music, and reflections on an upcoming talk about regional opposition to hazardous oil trains and railroad infrastructure, sudden, federal approval of one-third of Northwest GTN Xpress pipeline expansion methane gas, and Idaho county and state public hearings and proposed changes to oil and gas extraction rules.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels 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: Justin Mikulka, Mark Burrows, & Idaho Actions on Oil Trains, Heat-Cancelled New York Amtrak, Melting Alaska Ice Field, BC Indigenous Chief Sentencing 7-10-24

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The Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activists collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features freelance writer Justin Mikulka and Railroad Workers United representative Mark Burrows, discussing further railroad regulations and practices to protect community and crew safety from flammable oil and hazardous materials trains.  We also share news, music, and reflections on upcoming north Idaho demonstrations opposing Northwest oil trains and infrastructure, a New York passenger train to Canada cancelled by heated rail concerns, the rapidly melting Juneau ice field in Alaska, and British Columbia court sentencing of a First Nation chief opposing gas pipeline construction through indigenous territory.  Broadcast for twelve 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 fuels projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to generous, anonymous listeners who adopted program host Helen Yost as their KRFP DJ. Continue reading →

Stop Oil Trains 2024

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Stop Oil Trains 2024 Flyer

July 12-15 annual actions remember the Lac-Mégantic, Mosier, & Custer disasters

Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) and allied activists invite everyone to participate in eleventh annual, Stop Oil Trains, direct actions and a training workshop in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Friday, July 12, through Monday, July 15.  Five events commemorate the 47 lives lost and downtowns devastated by oil train derailments, spills, explosions, and fires in the lakeside village of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, on July 6, 2013, in the Columbia River Gorge town of Mosier, Oregon, on June 3, 2016, and in the northwestern hamlet of Custer, Washington, on December 22, 2020.  These demonstrations also support pipeline-on-rails resistance across the Northwest and in trackside and pipeline corridor communities and environments threatened and polluted by dangerous oil and gas infrastructure and transportation.

Spotlight Message Projection

Friday & Saturday, July 12 & 13, 10 pm, Downtown Sandpoint

As the sun sets, WIRT organizers will provide brief, light projection displays of social and climate justice messages on buildings in downtown Sandpoint, Idaho.  Meet after 10 pm on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, wherever you see this light show, for discussions among activists and curious passersby, about Northwest oil train and terminal and gas pipeline expansion issues.

Resistance Outreach

Saturday, July 13, 9 am to 1 pm, near Farmin Park, Sandpoint

Visit volunteer activists between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturday, July 13, at the WIRT outreach table at the corner of Fourth and Oak Streets near Farmin Park, during the Farmers Market at Sandpoint, Idaho.  We plan to talk with residents and visitors of the one-mile-wide, north Idaho, “bomb train blast zone,” offer updates on Northwest oil and coal trains and infrastructure and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway’s doubled tracks and three new communication towers and second railroad bridges, and provide #No2ndBridge and other petitions, letters, brochures, and flyers [1-5].

Oil Trains Protest

Saturday, July 13, 2 pm, Farmin to City Beach Parks, Sandpoint

At 2 pm on Saturday, July 13, bring your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, protest signs, and creative spirit, to show community opposition to dangerous crude oil trains, refineries, export facilities, and railroad infrastructure, like the BNSF rail bridges in and near Sandpoint.  Starting from the Farmin Park clock, we will walk with banners and signs objecting to the Northwest pipeline-on-rails and its expansion, through downtown Sandpoint to City Beach Park.  At these public march origin and destination places, we will share reflections and stories about the isolated vulnerability of rural, rail corridor communities to oil and hazardous materials derailment catastrophes and industry invasions of local environments and economies.

Train Watch Workshop

Monday, July 15, 5 pm, Zoom & East Bonner County Library, Sandpoint

For the annual training sessions on regional oil and tar sands trainspotting, David Perk of Pacific Northwest Oil Train Watch will present methods for trackside observing, documenting, and reporting Northwest fossil fuels train traffic with photos, videos, and social media.  He will discuss rail routes from the plains to the coast, train descriptors, refinery and receiving facilities, rail system operations, stopovers, and transit times, and train watch motivations and resources.  Please RSVP to WIRT at wild.idaho.rising.tide2@gmail.com, for required registration to join this teleconferenced conversation with David generously sharing images, skills, and insights, beginning at 5 pm on Monday, July 15, via Zoom and at the East Bonner County Library, Community Room B, 1407 Cedar Street in Sandpoint, Idaho.  WIRT requests more train monitors along the tracks of the north Idaho, fossil fuels frontline, to document all westbound, unit trains of cars hauling Bakken crude oil, Canadian tar sands, and Powder River Basin coal.

Issue Background Continue reading →