Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council

Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council members accelerate climate solutions for Park County and recognize that healthy communities depend on healthy ecosystems. We believe our unique quality of life and rich natural heritage can be preserved by promoting reliance on renewable energy and minimizing adverse effects from further development of fossil fuels. We hold ourselves and our government accountable to leave vibrant and healthy natural surroundings for the generations that will follow. Yellowstone Bend uses the immense power that community organizing can wield to promote local engagement in critical decisions that affect present and future generations.

Founded in 2013, Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council is an affiliate of Northern Plains Resource Council. We are a volunteer organization that uses the power of grassroots community organizing to create a healthier and happier community by increasing renewable energy, decreasing waste, and protecting the quality and biodiversity of life in Park County.

We are currently fundraising for public solar installation projects that will directly help our community decrease emissions and lower energy costs for our residents.

We've initiated and fundraised for a number of important community solar projects: The Carnegie Library (2016) the Senior Center (2018), the City Water Reclamation Facility (2019), the Gateway Museum (2020), the Shane Lalani Center for the Arts (2020), the Head Start Center (2021), Winans Elementary School (2022), Park County Fairgrounds, (2024), and Sherwood Building (2024).

Through Northern Plains we take part in statewide legislative and grassroots campaigns including C-PACE (Property Assessed Commercial Enhancements), which passed in our 2021 session, and the Montana Solar Shares Act, which would open up more opportunity for our county and state.

Testimonials

I have been a member of YBCC since their inception. YBCC plays an integral and valuable role in our community. I especially appreciate their engagement on energy issues and was more than happy to lend my support in the campaign to make C-PACE become law in the most recent Montana legislative session, a very important victory. I expect to make use of this new law to get solar on my store, Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.! -Dale Sexton, owner, Dan Bailey's Outdoor Co.