Greening of the Jones’

By Aimee Moran, Membership Coordinator -

Would you be motivated to use less energy if you knew that the Jones’ across the street were using less than you?

As reported in The Atlantic, apparently you are.

Nothing like a little competitive spirit to help save the planet.

Until Idaho Power offers neighborly energy consumption comparisons maybe you can just ask your neighborhood BBQ guests to bring their recent power bills along with beer and potato salad.

TGIT

By Sara Cohn Community Conservation Associate-

So I know it isn’t Friday – a day where I often feel inclined to pepper this blog with silliness – but this week Thursday will have to do.

I subscribe to the Associated Press’ strange news network and eagerly check any updates every morning. These are gems of delicious silliness – Nude Man Shows Up to Dentist Five Days Late or Turtles Shut Down JFK .  Usually I read these things with a sense of isolation, jealous for example, that a turtle march has never shut down the Boise airport. Today a “strange” story came over the wire (through the interconnected world wide network of wires and waves that is) that I could finally feel connected with.

Webster’s dictionary is publishing a new edition with the vocabulary of the 2000s. Locovore, frenemy, flash mob, – words that mean something to some of us of a certain age and maturity level. But would mean diddly-squat to my mom.
Want to be on the cutting edge of hip phrases and words? Check out The Urban Dictionary for new words, on the daily.

Mussels Take a Road Trip for Education

By Susan Drumheller, North Idaho Associate-

A mess of quagga mussels came up north Wednesday. But this ugly, smelly lump of exotic, invasive shellfish didn’t come on the hull of a boat. It came in Amy Ferriter’s suitcase, passing through airport security at Spokane International Airport.

It’s was a shellacked piece of mussel-infested pipe from Lake Mead that Ferriter, of the Idaho Department of Agriculture, brought as a show-piece for what can become of North Idaho’s lakes if we aren’t vigilant.

Ferriter is tasked with implementing the state’s new boat stickers and boat inspection stations . In just 90 days since the new boat sticker legislation was made law, the state has established 15 boat inspection stations across the state to catch boaters hauling the tiny invasive mussels in or through Idaho.

Ferriter joined Rep. Eric Anderson in meetings in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint Wednesday to explain the programs and take feedback. They want this prevention effort to be a success, and so do we!

Speak Out Against Dirty Fossil Fuels

By Betsy Bridge, Energy Efficiency Associate-

Idaho Power is about to gamble nearly a half-billion of YOUR dollars on a risky, backward scheme that opts for dirty fossil fuels instead of cleaner, faster and safer conservation and renewable energy.

But there is time to change their minds. NOW is our chance to speak out.  Here’s the deal:

Idaho Power is seeking the OK to build a $42 -million, gas-fired power plant west of Boise. It’s the most expensive project the company has embarked on since it dammed the Snake River at Hells Canyon 50 years ago. Burning gas pollutes the air and puts Idaho ratepayers at the mercy of volatile international suppliers and markets. Instead, the company should invest in conservation and renewable, clean energy, save families and businesses money and help Idaho build an economy based on the future, not the past.

Here’s how you can speak out: The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is holding a public hearing on the topic at 7pm on July 14 and accepting written comments through July 24.

Let Idaho Power know that conservation and clean energy is the fastest, cleanest and safest way to meet Idaho’s energy needs.  They save Idaho families money, keep Idaho businesses competitive and protect our clean air and water.

Not So Mellow Yellow

By Sara Cohn, Community Conservation Associate-

You know it is summer in the Treasure Valley when ozone levels go up and air quality goes down.

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is trying to reduce the number of “yellow” days by reducing ozone levels in the Treasure Valley through a vehicle emissions testing program. Ozone is produced when the exhaust from our cars mixes with sunlight. A testing program would keep dirty, polluting cars off the road and is the easiest way to take a bite out of ozone in the Treasure Valley.

Canyon County commissioners don’t like the idea of an emissions testing program and are preparing to propose different ways of reducing pollution. But what is so bad about a vehicle emissions testing program?

I have heard the program will cost the cities and the county too much, but the Ada County program pays for itself through the fees charged for the test. I have also heard that the proposed $20 fee paid every other year is too much to ask of residents, but this pencils out to only $0.83 a month for cleaner air.

A testing program would ensure that the pollution controls on our cars are working. If those controls aren’t working, our cars are putting even more unhealthy chemicals into the air – creating an environment that causes children to suffer from asthma.

I sure hope Canyon County commissioners can come up with a great way to improve air quality. I look forward to it. In the meantime, tell DEQ how important clean air is for you and your family before July 14!

Eatin’ Local

By Aimee Moran, Membership Coordinator-

The Locavore’s Supper Club is a group of Boise foodie friends who meet monthly to share culinary delights made from Idaho ingredients. Yum!

In a different home each month, the friends come together to celebrate Idaho’s food bounty, catch up and share some laughs.

Super cool added benefits of all this merry making and good eating:

1)    Supporting Idaho’s local economy by purchasing foods grown and produced within 250 miles of Boise.

2)    Conserving natural resources by buying local food. No big rigs on the road to bring our meals to our tables. No mega farms for these folks!

Keepin’ it local is keepin’ it real.

Farmer Josie Erskine of Peaceful Belly Farm attends the events. She not only gets to enjoy the monthly meals, the suppers also help support her family. Cool!

For more information on how to start your own local supper club, contact ICL staffer Aimee Moran at 208.345.6942 x16.

Life In The Green Lane.

By Aimee Moran, Membership Coordinator-

Is a hybrid or high gas mileage car in your future?

Might be easier on your budget now more than ever.

Some lenders are now offering small incentives to buy fuel efficient vehicles. US Bank offers an additional .5% off 4.99% with a Green Auto Loan.
Check this EPA link to see if your dream car qualifies for US Bank loan incentives.

US House Passes Historic Climate Bill!

By Betsy Bridge, Energy Efficiency Associate-

It’s far from perfect, but the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act on Friday, which will be the country’s first comprehensive plan for addressing climate change.  The bill was approved by a vote of 219 to 212, just one vote more than the simple majority of 218 needed to pass legislation in the House.

In order to garner enough votes Representatives Waxman and Markey, the sponsors of the bill, had to compromise some key provisions in the bill.  Even though several environmental groups chose to oppose the bill because they believe it is too weak, many groups are touting its passage as a great success.

Disappointedly, our own Walt Minnick voted against this historic piece of legislation, but we have hope that he will do the right thing and votes yes when it comes to its final passage after it moves through the Senate.

Got Leash?

By Suki Molina, Deputy Director-

After a year of “lending” dog leashes in the Boise foothills, the Boise 2rdog group is out of leashes and calling it quits.

The incentive for this program was simple — encourage dog owners to use leases on foothill trails where leashes were required.  Dog owners could “borrow” a dog leash.  About 500 leashes were “lended” out in last year and not returned.  When the last leash is gone, the signs will come down and the volunteer program will end.

Many people are not aware that dogs unknowingly can interfere with wildlife and the places wildlife call home, and then there is the issue of poop.  The rules for dogs were created to protect the place we all love, the Boise Foothills.

Sustainable Communities in a New Economy

By Sara Cohn Community Conservation Associate –

So Idaho isn’t growing anymore. Did you notice? I did. Empty houses, for sale signs, no new construction – these are the signs of an economy that is on pause.

Although the “new economy” has stopped growth recently, according to Dr. Chris Nelson at the University of Utah, it is likely that Idaho’s population will grow over 2 million by 2050.

I recently attended a summit on planning in the west – planning for growth, for limited resources, for sustainable communities. New West, an online publisher, saw fit to have developers, architects, advocates, and scholars address the partnership between economic development and sustainable communities.

The bottom line – Idaho will continue to grow, but likely in a different way. Studies are projecting the aging population will push housing markets to favor walkable neighborhoods, smaller houses, and neighborhoods that include a mix between commercial and residential development.

Maybe the future of Idaho is in the North End?