Tuss, Morrow appointed to Montana council on climate change

Editor's note: This corrects the spelling of the name of Jayne Morrow.

Two local residents were among a lengthy list of people Gov. Steve Bullock appointed to the Montana Climate Solutions Council.

Jayne Morrow of Chinook, assistant vice president of research and economic development at Montana State University, and Paul Tuss of Havre, executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp., were appointed to the council, a press release from Bullock's office announced Monday.

Bullock issued an executive order July 1 establishing the council, charging its members with providing recommendations and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare the state for climate impacts and address the needs of communities in transition through appropriate economic development and workforce strategies.

Bullock also announced July 1 that Montana would be joining the U.S. Climate Alliance.

The climate alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas missions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement, its website said. It lists 25

governors, including Bullock, who are part of the alliance.

The website said the alliance has three core principles, that states continue to lead in addressing climate change, state-level climate action benefits economies and and strengthens communities, and "states are showing the nation and the world that ambitious climate action is achievable."

Bullock's release said the creation of the council "is a result of discussions with legislators and Montanans from the most recent legislative session on how Montana can create a path forward in setting goals for the state around the issue of climate change."

He tasked the council with issuing a Montana Climate Solutions Plan by June 1, 2020.

The release said the council's other duties include making recommendations toward achieving an interim goal of net greenhouse gas neutrality for average annual electric loads in the state by no later than 2035 and a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide at a date to be determined by the council.

Another duty is coordinating with the Montana University System to identify strategies to build upon the work of the Montana Climate Assessment to develop science-driven, regionally relevant research on climate impacts facing Montana's economy, and to identify opportunities for the state to support innovation in climate-smart research and technology development, demonstration and manufacturing work with the state's business community.

The third additional duty specified is to to cordinate with all relevant state agencies to make climate an immediate and actionable priority for the state and incorporate strategies to adapt to climate in agency planning. 

Bullock appointed 27 other people from organizations and entities throughout the state to the council/.

State officials will serve as ex-officio members on the council, the release said

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Online: U.S. Climate Alliance website: https://www.usclimatealliance.org/alliance-principles/.