2025-04-15T05:16:33-07:00 2024-12-31 860553260 Janice Moen CPA 12 Vista Drive Hooksett NH 03106 990 2024-01-01 820625994 Western Leaders Network WEST 5054690380 PO Box 4433 Durango CO 81302 Elise Jones Chair 2025-04-15 true true Janice Moen CPA P01206712 5052502231 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Elise Jones PO Box 4433 Durango CO 81302 432415 false X https://www.westernleaders.org X 2017 CO To bring together pro-conservation local leaders in the Interior West - Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming - to protect our air, water, public health and public lands. 7 7 2 7 0 248462 432147 0 231 268 4 0 248697 432415 0 0 227062 209652 0 46781 107311 102166 334373 311818 -85676 120597 144013 263803 1073 266 142940 263537 X We unite, support and cultivate pro-conservation local, tribal and state elected officials to protect land, air and water and build healthy, sustainable and resilient communities. false false 203263 In 2024, WLN partnered with organizations at local, state, and federal levels to promote standards that improve air quality, help local and tribal governments access federal infrastructure funding, and assist election officials in combating misinformation related to elections. Navajo NationIndigenous advocacy organizations led a campaign in 2024 that resulted in the Navajo EPA approving regulations to reduce methane emissions on the Navajo Nation. WLN and partner organizations supported this effort by submitting a letter to Navajo leadership showing support for the methane reduction program and helping develop an informational website about methane on the Navajo Nation. WLN signed a coalition media statement after the Navajo Nation Council passed the regulations in September 2024, marking a significant victory for climate, public health, and tribal sovereignty. ColoradoColorado experienced both advancements and setbacks in its 2024 rulemaking efforts to combat oil and gas pollution and its impacts. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission adopted regulations to address the cumulative effects of oil and gas, which fail to adequately safeguard disproportionately affected communities. However, the Air Pollution Control Division established a groundbreaking protocol for more accurately measuring greenhouse gas emissions, which is essential for reducing pollution and achieving state climate objectives. WLN participated in these efforts through public testimony and written comments, social media campaigns, and media statements highlighting successes and relevant news. In 2025, WLN will participate in state rulemakings to address landfill methane pollution and implement the EPA methane rule. New Mexico New Mexico launched its Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program to connect low-income households to energy-efficient technologies. WLN amplified these initiatives through action alerts and social media campaigns and will continue to advocate for administrative and legislative action in 2025 to help New Mexico achieve its state climate targets. A rulemaking process to implement the EPA methane rule is anticipated in late 2025. Pennsylvania As one of the nations largest methane producers, Pennsylvania has a chance to lead as a model for climate and energy policy. In 2024, ALN began working with partners to encourage the state Department of Environmental Protection to implement strong safeguards aimed at reducing methane pollution from the oil and gas industry, in accordance with the EPA methane rule. ALN has sent action alerts to Pennsylvania leaders regarding proposed methane reduction plans and ways to get involved in the process. ALN will advocate for an ambitious state rulemaking in 2025 that will decrease emissions, protect Pennsylvanians, and create a state regulatory framework that will remain effective even if the EPA methane rule is repealed. WyomingSince 2021, Wyoming has experienced significant growth in the methane mitigation industry, offering substantial economic, health, and environmental benefits to its communities. WLN has collaborated with coalition partners to encourage the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality to adopt the EPA methane rule for new and existing sources of oil and gas pollution. This is vital for Wyomings economic future and supports Governor Mark Gordons carbon negative climate objectives. In 2024, WLN distributed action alerts to our Wyoming network on how to participate in the rulemaking process, and staff attended public meetings to express support for state methane safeguards. We will continue this initiative in 2025. 19106 Defending Our DemocracyWe cannot make progress in tackling the climate crisis without a robust, participatory democracy. Acknowledging this along with the fact that research indicates election administrators are leaving their roles in large numbers due to workplace harassment and intimidation we expanded our democracy program last year, achieving unprecedented participation from our network in the 2024 general election. Additionally, we broadened our network to include local election officials, who are vital to the success of this program. WLN Executive Director Gwen Lachelt attended the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, in February 2024, where she delivered a keynote speech to the Women of NACO on the role that elected officials play in upholding our democracy. Throughout the year, we worked with election officials to publish opinion editorials on a range of democracy-related topics, including how to recognize election misinformation, how communities can support local election officials, and common misconceptions about the voting process. We launched our Showcase of Democracy Champions, featuring written interviews with three dozen election officials who shared success stories, challenges, and concerns about the election process. We also produced four democracy-focused virtual events, partnering with organizations such as the Brennan Center for Justice. 5220 Connecting Leaders To Federal Climate InvestmentsThe Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 represent landmark legislation that has delivered unprecedented federal funding to communities for clean energy development, climate resilience, and advancing environmental justice. WLN has championed programs made possible by these funding packages and amplified through opinion editorials, video storytelling, and written interviews with network leaders success stories that showcase the community-level benefits of these investments. We regularly shared news, resources, and grant deadlines through our websites and sent action alerts about funding opportunities for home electrification, clean energy rebates, climate pollution reduction, and more. WLN staff also attended the New Mexico Infrastructure Finance Conference in Albuquerque in 2024 to acquire knowledge, tools, and resources on federal funding opportunities to share with our entire network. With IRA and BIL grants and programs at risk in 2025, we will work to defend them against rollbacks and ensure that the billions of dollars already appropriated are used effectively to build stronger communities, protect public health, and invest in a clean energy future. 3515 Appalachian Leaders NetworkModeled after the Western Leaders Network, the Appalachian Leaders Network is a program of WLN that organizes local, tribal, and state elected officials in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. After officially launching in November 2023, we developed ALN into a successful program in 2024 under the guidance of ALNs Advisory Council, which consists of current and former elected officials in the Ohio River Valley region. Not only did we grow ALN to include over 300 leaders, but we also strengthened the overall impact of our work. By organizing sign-on letters and publishing op-eds that feature voices from both ALN and WLN, we demonstrate cross-community collaboration and deliver a powerful, unified message to decision-makers. In 2024, ALN concentrated on engaging Pennsylvania leaders in a state effort to reduce climate pollution and joined WLN in advocating for a safe and secure 2024 general election through our democracy program. 3515 231104 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 5 0 true 2 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 7 7 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true false false false X Bonnie Rozean 9709463421 555 Rivergate Lane Unit B3-160 Durango CO 81301 Gwen Lachelt Executive Dir. 50.00 0.00 X 93470 0 16583 Elise Jones Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Lauren Pagel Vice Chair 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Don Schreiber Treasurer 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Victor Snover Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Juanita Vero Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Amber Torres Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Shelly Fyant Director 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 93470 16583 0 false false false 0 432147 432147 0 268 268 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 432415 268 X 0 0 0 0 110053 91344 13206 5503 0 79160 65702 9500 3958 2280 1893 273 114 4304 3573 517 214 13855 11500 1663 692 0 0 4976 4976 0 0 0 36300 36300 2213 2213 1100 1076 24 15556 15464 92 0 7944 7944 24482 24482 0 780 780 0 0 437 437 2155 1566 589 Payroll processing fees 2400 2400 Dues and subcriptions 2355 2105 250 Meetings 711 711 Postage and Shipping 452 452 305 299 6 311818 231104 33933 46781 142866 263093 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 600 600 3414 3304 547 110 0 0 0 0 0 144013 263803 1073 266 1073 266 X 142940 263537 142940 263537 144013 263803 120597 X false false false X 237367 264996 423140 248462 432147 1606112 0 0 0 0 237367 264996 423140 248462 432147 1606112 0 0 1606112 8 7 37 231 268 551 0 8 7 37 231 268 551 0 4 4 237375 265003 423177 248697 432415 1606667 0.99970 0.99980 0.00030 0.00020 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false false true false false false false false false true 675 675 false false Part II-B, Line 1i - Other Activities Description The organization advocated for one bill in 2024. The Executive Director spent 15 hours working on this bill. Part IV - Additional Information 3414 3304 110 110 432988 573 573 432415 432415 312391 573 573 311818 311818 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The IRS Form 990 is reviewed by the board of directors prior to filing of the return. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The conflict of interest policy is monitored by the Executive Director and the Board Chair. Board members and staff are required to disclose any conflicts or potential conflicts as they arise. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Governing documents, policies, financial statements and the IRS Form 990 are made available to the public upon request within three working days of the date the request was made.