Climate Change

The Montana Supreme Court has rejected a petition from young climate activists to strike down several environmental laws.

Last week’s atmospheric river dropped over 12 inches of rain across northwest Montana, melting snow and triggering flooding across the region. December rains are more likely as a result of human-caused climate change, says State Climatologist Kelsey Jencso.

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.

Montana homeowners have two more weeks to apply for property tax rebates. The rebate tops out at $400; Gov. Greg Gianforte is creating a task force to focus on boosting energy development in Montana. A new report focuses on how climate change is impacting our health.

State utility regulators have rejected part of a petition to consider climate change in their decision-making; State regulators deny petition to for higher selenium standard in Lake Koocanusa; A Missoula homeless shelter closed last week as pandemic funding ends.