Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council advocates for a healthy, inviting, and sustainable community by educating, mobilizing, and testifying to ensure citizens voices are heard in the decision-making process, and formulating bold visions of a healthy and sustainable community and working cooperatively to achieve them.

Our Mission

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council advocates for a healthy, inviting, and sustainable community.

Current Campaigns

Fighting the Laurel Methane Plant

NorthWestern Energy is recklessly pushing forward a proposal to create a methane power plant in Laurel, Montana. This project creates financial risks for energy customers while threatening our health, air quality, and climate. We are working with other members at Northern Plains to stop construction of the plant. 

Enabling C-PACE in Yellowstone County

In 2021, we helped pass a C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements) financing bill at the Montana legislature to help business and non-profits afford clean energy upgrades. We are now working to implement C-PACE in Yellowstone County to bring affordable clean energy to the area.

Issues We Work On

Renewable Energy

We believe in a clean energy future where people can make decisions about their power to purchase, and making it easier for businesses to make energy improvements on their property.

Walkability and Bikeability

Our community health, wealth, and vibrancy is improved when multiple modes of transportation are safe and accessible for all people of Billings and Yellowstone County.

Local Foods

Central and eastern Montana boast an abundance of fresh, locally-grown and raised food. We are working to improve access and affordability for consumers, while supporting our agricultural economy.

Sustainable Development

We believe in a vibrant urban community and preserving our rural landscapes that we so treasure in Yellowstone County. That’s why we support sustainable development that promotes urban density, water and resource conservation.

Air Quality

Billings used to have the worst air quality in the U.S., and posed a major health risk to residents. Many were sickened and died due to the dangerous levels of sulfur dioxide in the 1970s and 80s. YVCC successfully fought for air quality standards, and continue to do so to keep our community safe.

History and Accomplishments

Since its inception in 1979, YVCC has achieved many victories, including:

  • Helping to dramatically improve the air quality in Yellowstone County through a long-term campaign to improve the enforcement of air quality laws;
  • Increasing individual and institutional patronage of locally raised and processed food through our community food campaign;
  • Brought residential solar to more than ten homes and connected solar installers to more than 50 homeowners through our Solarize Billings campaign in 2021.
  • Re-established the Energy and Conservation Commission with the City of Billings to focus on energy conservation efforts at the City that reduce consumption and increase savings.
  • Helping to ensure that Billings’ new library is a LEED Platinum certified, water- and energy-efficient building by engaging citizens and community leaders to build public support, while participating in every step of the city’s decision-making process.
  • Supported the efforts of teachers and parents to start school gardens at Canyon Creek School, Blue Creek School, and Billings West High School;
  • Recruited businesses to sponsor recycling pick-up in more than 20 Billings public elementary schools;
  • Supported our friends and neighbors to hold off oil and gas development along the Beartooth Front and in Yellowstone County;
  • Built support for a full-time neighborhood planner to coordinate “smart growth” planning in our community;
  • Successfully challenged efforts to site hazardous waste facilities near the Yellowstone River.

Leadership

Chair

Kris Glenn

Vice-Chair

Ali Pistora

Secretary

Phillip Nordeck

Treasurer

Paul Bevacqua

Northern Plains Board Representative

Kris Glenn

Barbara Gulick

Community Organizer
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS...

Check out these upcoming events in your area!​

Webinar: Putting the MT Endowment Tax Credit to Work for You

Webinar: Putting the MT Endowment..

Save the date for the second in a series of educational webinars on legacy planning, “Putting the MT Endowment Tax Credit to Work for You.” Join us and Kevin Brown, Associate Vice President of Development for Estate, Trust and Gift Planning at MSU to discover how to best utilize the now permanent Montana Endowment Tax Credit.

Wednesday, September 27th from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council Annual Meeting and Potluck

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council Annual..

Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council (YVCC) is celebrating its Annual Meeting and Potluck on Sunday, October 1 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

Sunday, October 1st from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

2023 Helena Sun Run

2023 Helena Sun Run

Sleeping Giant Citizens Council’s Eighth Annual Sun Run will be held on Saturday, October 7th at the Central School, 402 N Warren Street in Helena.

Saturday, October 7th from 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Northern Plains’ 52nd Annual Meeting

Northern Plains’ 52nd Annual Meeting

Our Mission Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council advocates for a healthy, inviting, and sustainable community. Current...

Friday, November 10th at 9:00 am - Saturday, November 11th at 7:00 pm

Our Team

Jack Leuthold

Community Organizer

Jackson Newman

Community Organizer

Effy McEldowney

Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator

Michael Skinner

Community Organizer

Jeanie Alderson, Birney

Past Chair

Emma Kerr-Carpenter, Billings

Affiliate Representatives- Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council

Kris Glenn, Billings

Affiliate Representatives- Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council

John Gayusky, Livingston

Affiliate Representatives- Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council

Joan Kresich, Livingston

Affiliate Representatives- Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council

Tom Heyneman, Fishtail

Affiliate Representatives- Stillwater Protective Association

Sign up to receive important email updates!

Stay informed about the work we are doing across Montana to protect our air, water, agriculture, and natural resources.

WordPress Lightbox