Montana Public Radio

Environment

Montana news covering wildlife, public lands, natural resources and more.

Talen Energy Wants In On Colstrip Unit 4 Purchase

By • Apr 12, 2020

 

Montana’s largest electric utility says another company is hedging in on its plan to purchase a greater share of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant. 

State Public Service Commission Votes Against Forum On Climate Change

By • Apr 9, 2020


The commission that regulates energy in Montana shot down a proposal on Apr. 7 to sponsor a forum that would have discussed climate change as a man-made phenomenon.

Most Montana Superfund Work Continues Despite Stay-At-Home Directive

By • Apr 9, 2020
Mark Mariano, bird protection specialist for the Berkeley Pit, holds disinfectant wipes in his bird shack overlooking the pit.
Nora Saks / Montana Public Radio

In Butte, the epicenter of one of the most toxic industrial sites in the country, essential work during the COVID-19 outbreak can mean protecting humans, and the environment, from historic pollution. Nora Saks with Montana Public Radio’s Richest Hill podcast has this look at Superfund during the pandemic.

Forecasts Call For Near-Average Streamflows In Montana

By • Apr 7, 2020
Montana Sub-basin Snow-Water Equivalent Percentage of 1981-2010 Normal, April 1, 2020.
USDA NRCS

Montana is edging closer to the spring runoff season. Scientists now have a better idea of what our mountain snowpack will yield this spring and summer.

Glacier Park Awards New Shuttle Service Contract

By • Apr 1, 2020
The weeping wall on Glacier Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road.
David Restivo, NPS (PD)

Glacier National Park has awarded a new contract for its popular shuttle service. This comes after Flathead County canceled its contract with the park, claiming it wasn’t paid enough to supply drivers.

Invasive Mussels Found At Dillon Watercraft Inspection Station

By • Mar 31, 2020

 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Mar. 30 that inspectors in Dillon intercepted three boats infested with invasive mussels since Mar. 16. FWP says news about the novel coronavirus caused a big spike in boat traffic as people returned home.

Keystone Pipeline To Begin Construction Despite Coronavirus Concerns

By • Mar 31, 2020

Editor's Note April 02, 2020: TC Energy spokesperson Sara Rabern is referring to workers being American when she says they are "local."

A Canadian company says it plans to start construction of the disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline running from Canada through the U.S. in April after lining up customers and funding.

TC Energy says it’ll kick off construction on the oil pipeline in Phillips County, Montana while also enforcing social distancing and screening to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

Yellowstone Bison Culling Operations Finished For The Year

By • Mar 30, 2020
Yellowstone bison often leave the confines of the park in the winter for lower elevations in Montana.
Jim Peaco (CC-BY-2.0)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Yellowstone National Park is done capturing wild bison for the year after rounding up almost 550 of the wild animals and sending most to slaughter as part of a population control program, park officials said.

CSKT Signs 15-year Contract With Washington Utility

By • Mar 30, 2020
Courtesy of Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Energy Keepers Inc., owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, has signed a contract to sell hydroelectric power to a Washington state utility.

Coronavirus Delays Transfer Of Libby Asbestos Management To State

By • Mar 30, 2020
Libby Montana.
Nora Saks / Montana Public Radio

The state of Montana was slated to take control of part of the Libby Asbestos Superfund site from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 1. But because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, that transfer is being postponed indefinitely.

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