The City of Boise is currently hosting a series of community meetings to gather input from residents on their climate efforts, as well as collecting feedback via an online survey. This is a great opportunity to make our voices heard for the climate solutions we want to see in our communities!
Here at Idaho Sierra Club, we’re continuing to advocate for community-owned solar as an equitable climate solution that puts clean energy on the grid while also lowering power bills and building community wealth. You can learn more about community-owned solar here.
There are currently no community-owned solar projects in Idaho within major utility areas (like Idaho Power), and we’re actively encouraging the City of Boise to overcome the barriers in place and make Boise home to the first project in the state! The City set a goal back in 2021 to develop a community solar project within five years. That deadline is coming up, and we need the City to hear from local residents that we expect a local community-owned solar project by 2026!
Whether you attend an upcoming community meeting or just fill out the City’s survey, you can help advocate for equitable community-owned solar in your responses. Below, check out some key talking points and sample comments that you can use when filling out the survey or participating in a community climate conversation!
Upcoming Meetings:
- Library! at Bown Crossing: Thursday, April 3 | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | RSVP here
- Library! at Hillcrest: Thursday, April 10 | 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. | RSVP here
Survey Deadline: April 21st
Talking Points
- Many Boise residents want to contribute to the City’s clean energy goals and participate in local initiatives, but aren’t able to do so because of time, costs, and other priorities. The City should create more opportunities for folks to get involved that aren’t just centered around individual action or homeownership.
- The climate crisis is here, and we need to take bigger steps to move away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions—bigger than just composting or recycling. The way our community gets its energy needs to shift toward clean, affordable, locally-owned sources, such as community-owned solar located in our neighborhoods.
- Community wide programs like local, community-owned solar programs would open the door to more folks to benefit from clean energy and contribute to climate solutions in their neighborhoods.
- Equitable community solar would make electricity more affordable for Boise families already struggling with the rising cost of living.
- Community-owned solar can make solar power accessible to renters, low-income households, and homeowners without suitable roofs or who can’t afford panels by offering an off-site “solar subscription” program. Community-owned solar allows the City to offer the benefits of solar power to everyone in our community–not just those with money to spare.
- Equitable, locally-owned community solar helps the City develop solar power in a way that aligns with the Climate Action Roadmap’s Guiding Principles: “Improve health and wellness, advance equity, and grow a climate economy.”
Where To Incorporate Community Solar Into Your Survey Answers
Fill out the survey honestly and accurately to show your concern with the climate crisis and the types of solutions you are implementing or want to see more of. Once you get to the questions listed below, consider choosing “other” along with your other selections and adding additional points that emphasize community solutions and equitable community solar as an important path forward for clean energy in Boise. Examples provided below, or pull from the talking points above! Link to survey here.
19. What are the main barriers that prevent you from participating in climate action? Check all that apply.
Other (please specify) ↓
- Most of the options listed in the previous questions focus on personal responsibility. I do not (own a home/have the money/etc) to do most of the things previously listed and that the City puts an emphasis on, such as putting solar on my house or purchasing an EV.
- Even if you have the means, you might consider using similar language to express the care you have for your fellow community members who aren’t able to do these things.
- The lack of community-wide actions and opportunities is a barrier, and I’d appreciate being able to instead contribute to a local, community-owned solar project.
22. Which of these resources would be helpful to you? Select all that apply.
Other (please specify) ↓
- Because of (give your reason here), I would benefit most from the opportunity to participate in a local community-owned solar project, which would allow me, my family, and my neighbors to all benefit by saving money on our power bills and letting those of us who can't afford or aren't allowed to have home solar systems to still participate in clean energy.
24. What do you think is the most important thing the City of Boise can do to support community climate action?
Open Response ↓
- The City of Boise needs to listen to the community and implement policies that everyone can benefit from, even if it's not the path of least resistance.
- Many solutions currently being pushed are only accessible to those with wealth, time, and full physical ability.
- The City of Boise can help grow community wealth, strengthen grid resilience, and create local jobs while also meeting their clean energy goals by using their institutional power to work with our power company to develop community-owned solar projects within Boise neighborhoods.
25. What do you think is the most important thing Boise residents can do to support community climate action?
Open Response ↓
- Under the circumstances, most of Boise’s residents are doing the best they can with the time, resources, and money that they have. The City must take responsibility for pushing forward real community climate action and support community initiatives like local community-owned solar projects that benefit both residents and the climate.
- Boise residents can stay informed and make the choices that work for them and their families, while remaining engaged in public input opportunities like this one to shape the direction of climate action in their communities.