A working group tasked with reviewing and updating Montana’s Environmental Policy Act is beginning to draft recommendations. The final product will guide the future work of state environmental regulators.
A key component of the group's work involves quantifying greenhouse gas emissions. They’ve suggested using emissions data from the EPA to measure how much a proposed development project would add to statewide emissions.
Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Some group members suggested putting a dollar figure associated with how much a project could add to greenhouse gas emissions, but the group hasn’t found consensus on that idea.
Another component of the process the group has not come to agreement on is weighing the climate impacts of a proposed project versus the economic benefits.
This task force is considering updates to the bedrock of the state’s environmental regulations as conversations around climate impacts are taking place across government. The Supreme Court is considering an appeal of the youth-led climate case Held v. Montana and utility regulators are deliberating a petition to consider climate change as part of their work.
The working group will present a complete list of recommendations in mid-May.
-
A group of young Montanans are asking the state Supreme Court to overturn new laws that weaken the state’s ability to regulate planet warming emissions, and exclude some fossil fuel projects from environmental review. This filing comes a year after they won a landmark ruling over Montana's constitutional right to a "clean and healthful environment." -
Federal officials have rejected an offer to mine coal on federal lands in southeastern Montana. It was the only bid for the lease following the Trump administration's push for increased fossil fuel extraction. -
A federal judge Wednesday dismissed a climate lawsuit brought by a group of young people in Missoula. In their case, they requested the court strike down Trump administration executive orders promoting fossil fuel development. -
Three sets of human remains found near Missoula last year are at least 200 years old. State environmental regulators are seeking public input on guidelines for how agencies assess greenhouse gas emissions. State Supreme Court hears case alleging wrongful arrest after filming a police traffic stop. -
After winning a landmark climate case at the state level last year, a group of young Montanans are taking the fight to the federal government. They presented their arguments to a judge in Missoula last week.
-
Plaintiffs suing the Trump administration over its energy policies argue the executive orders to boost fossil fuel development jeopardize their health. A federal court in Missoula heard arguments in the case this week.
