2025-05-14T10:28:41-07:00 2024-12-31 990 2024-01-01 810367205 NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL NORT 4062481154 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 Margaret Gordon Executive Director 4062481154 2025-05-14 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Margaret Gordon 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 2413030 0 9511 X www.northernplains.org X 1972 MT Northern Plains Resource Council organizes Montanans to protect our water, land, air, and working landscapes; support a healthy, localized, and sustainable economy; and build strong grassroots leaders, always considering the next generation. 29 29 26 119 0 0 2854915 1896495 212350 278945 75496 164134 39720 47948 3182481 2387522 0 0 0 0 1280322 1388726 0 0 163781 511826 582700 1792148 1971426 1390333 416096 6106250 6806449 112286 153265 5993964 6653184 Northern Plains believes people working together can make a difference. Our mission is to organize Montanans to protect our water, land, air, and working landscapes; support a healthy, localized, and sustainable economy in farm and ranch country and in our towns; and build strong grassroots leaders, always considering the next generation. 0 0 335426 0 0 Oil & Gas: We stood with Carter County farmers, ranchers, and residents to oppose a proposed project that would inject 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into wells across pristine BLM rangeland. We educated local residents, mobilized over 450 public comments, submitted a 30-page technical analysis, and elevated the issue with BLM leadership in Montana and Washington D.C. Our efforts helped pause the Snowy River carbon sequestration project pending further environmental review. In Laurel, we challenged NorthWestern Energy's proposed methane plant by organizing public testimony and continued legal and technical work to hold the company accountable to air quality laws. Additionally, we supported the Board of Oil and Gas Conservation in utilizing $25 million in federal funding to plug orphaned oil and gas wells across the state resulting in almost 100% of identified wells being plugged by the end of 2024. 274503 0 0 Clean Energy: Through a five-month door-to-door and phone canvass, we reached over 13,000 households and had more than 2,000 conversations about Inflation Reduction Act benefits and energy affordability, helping Montanans access tax credit and rebates. Our "Solarize" campaigns grew with the launch of Sweetgrass Solar near Big Timber, bringing total program impact to over 340 solar assessments and 130 installations, including more than one megawatt of local solar in Livingston alone. We strengthened the movement for community solar by energizing the Montana Community Solar Coalition ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Our members worked with Rural Electric Co-op leaders to promote transparency, integration of renewable energy production, and energy efficiency. We hosted a co-op member training to build grassroots power and promote accountability. We defended public participation and climate analysis under the Montana Environmental Policy Act, urging the Department of Environmental Quality to uphold its authority and constitutional responsibilities. We provided Montana energy ratepayers with information on pending interim rate hike applications from NorthWestern Energy and Montana Dakota Utilities and our members worked with the Public Service Commission to secure rejections of those rate hikes. 262346 0 0 Coal Transition: In the Bull Mountains, our members raised awareness for the importance of protecting land, water, and ranching operations from damage caused by a longwall mine. We raised opposition for a dangerous state legislative bill that would have allowed coal companies to contaminate nearby water sources with limited accountability. When federal legislation was introduced to allow Signal Peak Energy to expand operation without completing an Environment Impact Statement, we mobilized to defend the EIS process, public land access, and agricultural livelihoods. We also secured a critical oversight win when the Office of Surface Mining found "reason to believe" that Montana's Department of Environmental Quality violated federal law by approving major coal mine expansions under the guise of "minor" permit revisions. 710245 0 0 Agriculture: After years of work by Northern Plains, the USDA finalized a long-overdue rule to ensure that meat labelled "Product of the USA" must come from animals born, raised, and processed in the United States - closing a loophole that misled consumers and harmed domestic producers. We celebrated this win while continuing to push for mandatory Country-Of-Origin-Labeling (COOL) for beef and pork. We helped amplify Montana ranchers' voices on a proposed rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act that would make it easier for independent producers to challenge unfair market practices, generating 25 detailed submissions from producers to the USDA, urging them to support the rule. To build momentum for stronger reforms in the next Farm Bill, we collected over 1,000 signatures backing COOL and livestock market protections - laying the groundwork for a powerful grassroots push in 2025. Healthy Soils: We deepened our commitment to soil stewardship by expanding our community engagement and policy impact. Our affiliate group, the Golden Triangle Resource Council, hosted two soil crawls in the Great Falls area, bringing together more than 50 attendees to build local knowledge and grow our statewide soil health network. In Glendive, we led a two-day Soil Crawl in partnership with Dawson Community College and experts from Montana State University, giving 40 participants hands-on experience in regenerative practices. We also helped launch Montana's first-ever Soil Health Week and Day, coordinating with partners across the state to honor agricultural producers and raise awareness of soil as one of Montana's most vital natural resources. This recognition, which we helped pass in the 2023 legislature, laid the foundation for broader cultural and policy change. We also played a key role in shaping Montana's Climate Pollution Reduction Act proposal for soil health, helping secure $50 million in federal funding to support long-term investment in this resource. Good Neighbor Agreement: We upheld the Good Neighbor Agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company to ensure community oversight and water protections remain strong even as plummeting palladium prices added pressure to to the mine to curtail spending and cut production. We underscored the GNA's role in safeguarding water quality regardless of the mine's economic future and secured a commitment from the company to increase financial bonding, ensuring long-term accountability for environmental standards in the midst of these uncertainties. Our members met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management to bring local concerns into national discussions about critical mineral mining. DEI: We deepened our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by supporting our ally and sister organization, Western Native Voice, and continuing our "Lessons from Indigenous Organizing" speaker series. In partnership with Western Native Voice, we helped coordinate meetings, organize allies, and engage Montanans in support of legislation to establish Indigenous Peoples' Day in Montana in 2025. Through our speaker series, we welcomed Montana Poet Laureate Chris LaTray and Crow-Cheyenne artist Ben Pease, both of whom offered powerful reflections on land, identity, and community-led organizing in Indian Country. Protecting Montana's Constitution: We defended Montanans' constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by holding the Montana DEQ accountable through public participation in environmental decision-making. We developed a strategy for defending the rights of Montanans in the face of efforts to amend our State Constitution and create a partisan judiciary in Montana. 710245 0 0 1582520 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 1 26 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 29 29 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X X Margaret Gordon 4062481154 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 Margaret Gordon Executive Director 50 0 X 94746 0 0 Jeanie Alderson At-Large Representative 4 0 X 0 0 0 Kristin Aus Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Steve Charter Affiliate Representative 8 0 X 0 0 0 Diann DeRosier Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jeff Dibenedetto Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Charlie French Affiliate Representative 2 0 X 0 0 0 Barbara Gulick Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Linda Iverson Affiliate Representative 7 0 X 0 0 0 George Kelly Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jasmine Krotkov Affiliate Representative 1.5 0 X 0 0 0 Kyran Kunkel At-Large Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Clint McRae Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Peter Mickelsen Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jane Moses Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Kirk Panasuk At Large Representative 1.5 0 X 0 0 0 Rae Peppers At-Large 1 0 X 0 0 0 June Peterson Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Ellen Pfister Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Barbara Ulrich O'Grady Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Nathan Varley Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Eleanor Wend Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Gordon Whirry Affiliate Representative 2 0 X 0 0 0 Janet Zimmerman Affiliate Director 2 0 X 0 0 0 Edward Barta Chair of the Board 6 0 X 0 0 0 Norane Freistadt Vice Chair 6 0 X 0 0 0 Roxa Reller Secretary 4 0 X 0 0 0 Scott Hancock Treasurer 3 0 X 0 0 0 Kristine Glenn Assistant Secretary 5 0 X 0 0 0 Craig McClure Assistant Treasurer 3 0 X 0 0 0 Joan Kresich Past Chair 20 0 X 0 0 0 94746 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 394237 14530 0 0 1487728 30145 1896495 Consulting 541990 100 100 0 0 Building Share 900099 66135 66135 0 0 Reimbursements 900099 212710 212710 0 0 0 0 0 0 278945 161839 161839 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2400 0 0 0 2400 0 2400 2400 0 0 19285 7000 19565 4425 -280 2575 2295 2295 0 0 45975 14530 460 45515 0 45515 0 0 0 0 0 0 1091 1058 33 33 0 0 0 2387522 445512 0 45515 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 94433 77070 10898 6465 1060697 889318 107282 64097 62530 51474 6939 4117 80147 66804 8375 4968 90919 76254 9183 5482 0 0 0 0 29020 20100 8920 0 12000 0 12000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 68319 39680 2085 26554 59955 47358 12547 50 125414 83484 11580 30350 22132 18938 2005 1189 0 0 0 0 93369 76202 10775 6392 49515 43369 1334 4812 0 0 0 0 56267 41446 8851 5970 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29000 23899 3202 1899 7164 0 7164 0 Public Outreach Events 13018 12892 0 126 Hospitality 1409 1043 147 219 Contributions 15929 13000 1838 1091 Lobbying 189 189 0 0 1971426 1582520 225125 163781 232753 287156 2203290 3737111 0 0 8661 34100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21604 20916 980486 517825 477377 462661 3162565 2264505 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6106250 6806449 31496 45305 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80790 107960 112286 153265 X 5482136 6087290 511828 565894 5993964 6653184 6106250 6806449 416096 243124 0 0 0 0 X 1 X 1 X 1 0 X 1119897 1435535 1462714 2854915 1896495 8769556 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1119897 1435535 1462714 2854915 1896495 8769556 0 8769556 54753 40463 45671 79253 163959 384099 0 0 0 0 0 0 233560 28886 0 0 2575 265021 9418676 324493 0.93108 0.81820 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 We sold three of our fleet vehicles resulting in a small gain on sale for each one. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 258 5558 5816 1969879 1975695 248785 62196 0 0 236898 233949 239607 248785 959239 1438859 68420 4211 49522 5816 127969 59225 58487 59902 62196 239810 359715 15849 0 1500 258 17607 3845931 45139 349643 0 17880 2420 4220413 2428900 1310461 157868 0 50316 982 3845931 2380128 178174 -112803 0 15604 95 2429800 2219268 12680 148300 0 0 120 2380128 1507545 63989 80829 0 0 95 1652268 0.5029 0.1217 0.3754 0 0 13317 0 13317 775211 0 351158 424053 0 0 0 0 191958 0 166667 25291 0 0 0 0 462661 Payroll Liabilities 107721 Annuities Payable 239 107960 2632383 243125 0 0 0 243125 2389258 -218 -1518 -1736 2387522 1973162 0 0 0 0 0 1973162 -218 -1518 -1736 1971426 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Our endowment serves to diversify and stabilize our base of self-support in order to sustain the autonomy and independence of our organization, increase our financial self-sufficiency, ensure continued operations, and meet future needs and challenges. Our endowment is invested in a fiscally prudent and socially responsible manner to ensure that our investment activities complement our program work. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4b Fees on sales of securities, fundraising event expenses, and merchandise purchases are included in expenses on our audited financial statements but reported net of revenue on the form 990. Schedule D, Part XII, Line 4b Fees on sales of securities, fundraising event expenses, and merchandise purchases are included in expenses on our audited financial statement but reported net of revenue on the form 990. Annual Meeting 44137 14530 29607 0 0 0 0 0 0 Online Auction 7114 0 7114 0 0 0 0 460 0 2 9255 0 9255 0 0 0 0 0 0 60506 14530 45976 0 0 0 0 460 0 460 45516 X 1 7000 Comparable Data X 5 19347 Market Value 0 0 1 1 Schedule M, Part I, Line 32b All securities transfers are handled by qualified investment firms. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 We are a democratically-operated membership organization composed primarily of members who donate their time and resources to the organization for the purpose of directing and fulfilling program goals. We do not have stockholders or different classes of membership. All members in good standing are eligible to vote for officers and at-large board members annually. All members present at the Annual Meeting can introduce and vote on policy resolutions. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The form 990 is prepared by the Director of Finance and Administration, reviewed and edited by the Executive Director and Director of Fundraising, reviewed by the Organization and Finance Task Force, and distributed to the Board of Directors for final review. Upon review by the Board of Directors, the form 990 is posted on our website. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The Board of Directors reviews organizational policies and governing documents, including the Conflict of Interest policy, from time to time. We maintain an online portal for our Board of Directors that includes all relevant policies and program documents they need to fulfill their role on the board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 All members of the Organization and Finance Task Force are asked to complete a written evaluation of the Executive Director annually. The Chair of the Board and the Chair of the O&F Task Force hold a meeting with the Executive Director to conduct a performance evaluation and determine salary adjustments. The Executive Director determines all other salaries for management staff within the framework of the board-approved compensation philosophy and salary structure. Salaries for members of the bargaining unit are subject to contractual negotiation with the Teamsters Local 190. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Financial statements are reviewed at every board meeting and at our annual meeting. Any member in good standing may request financial statements, governing documents, or our conflict of interest policy; we do not normally furnish this information to the general public. Our 990 filings for the last three years are made available to the general public on our website. Governing documents subject to public inspection are made available upon request.