Idaho environmental groups to host rally in Boise to push for more solar power

Mia Maldonado, Idaho Capital Sun

BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) — Idaho biology groups will rally Saturday greeting astatine nan Idaho State Capitol successful Boise to push for much renewable power options successful nan state. 

The rally, “Solar for nan People Rally,” is organized by nan Idaho Sierra Club. Some of nan cosponsors of nan arena see nan Idaho Climate Justice League, nan Snake River Alliance, Portneuf Resource Council, Idaho Organization of Resource Councils, Boise Bicycle Project, and League of Women Voters of Idaho.

Noah Rott, nan spokesperson for nan Idaho Sierra Club, said he anticipates nan arena will beryllium nan largest gathering of biology groups successful Boise since nan “People’s Climate March” successful 2017. 

With this summer’s precocious temperatures and vulnerable aerial quality, Lisa Young, nan head of nan Idaho Sierra Club, said now is simply a captious ambiance moment. 

“We can’t beryllium by while neighbors dice aliases autumn sick from utmost power aliases wildfire smoke, and while nan solutions — clean, affordable power — are being stymied by firm interests and their governmental lackies who contradict nan realities of nan ambiance situation and power load group face,” she said. 

Federal backing opportunities for low-income star projects are available

In December 2023, nan Idaho Public Utilities Commission approved an Idaho Power connection to little its in installments compensation for homeowners pinch rooftop solar. The determination sparked backlash from nan Idaho Sierra Club and homeowners pinch star panels who said nan changes are cruel and disincentivize group from installing star panels, nan Idaho Capital Sun antecedently reported. 

However, Idaho Power disputed those claims, arguing that nan changes would bring fairness to customers without star because customers without rooftop star salary an unfair stock of grid attraction costs, nan Sun antecedently reported. 

“We request Idaho’s regulators and utilities to extremity getting successful nan measurement of ambiance solutions for illustration rooftop and organization star to thief bring down power costs and emissions now,” Young told nan Sun.  

According to nan release, nan organizers will item caller national backing opportunities from nan Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that tin money low-income star projects. 

Speakers astatine nan arena will see Nez Perce Tribe Secretary Rachel Edwards and section organization leader pinch nan Idaho Black Community Alliance Shari Baber.