Legislature Archives - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC https://meic.org/tag/legislature/ Clean and healthful. It's your right, our mission. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:59:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://meic.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cropped-MEIC_whitesmall-32x32.png Legislature Archives - Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC https://meic.org/tag/legislature/ 32 32 Recording: Better Paths Forward: Why Nuclear Energy Isn’t The Energy of the Near Future https://meic.org/recording-better-paths-forward-why-nuclear-energy-isnt-the-energy-of-the-near-future/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:59:12 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39648 Many climate advocates are placing a lot of hope in nuclear energy, but is this experimental, expensive technology worth the risks? From the harmful impacts of extracting uranium on Indigenous people to the byproducts of nuclear energy being used to create nuclear weapons, the costs of nuclear energy go beyond an inflated price tag. As …

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]]> Legislative Recap: MEPA and Water Quality Suffer Setbacks, But Session Had Some Bright Spots https://meic.org/legislative-recap-mepa-and-water-quality-suffer-setbacks-but-session-had-some-bright-spots/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:13:18 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38690 by Anne Hedges & Derf Johnson There are so many victories and losses in a single session that it is difficult to write a legislative recap. From a high level, the most significant losses involved the Legislature’s attack on the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Montana Clean Air Act in order to prevent …

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]]> Pushing Against Nuclear https://meic.org/pushing-against-nuclear/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:12:40 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38693 by Nick Fitzmaurice In 1978, Montana voters passed an initiative to require a citizen referendum to approve any nuclear power generating facility in the state. Disappointingly, the Legislature overturned this protection in 2021. This session, the Legislature paved the way for the nuclear industry to set up shop in Montana — all without local approval. …

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]]> 2025 MEIC Legislator Scorecard https://meic.org/2025-meic-legislator-scorecard/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:10:06 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38741 MEIC’s Legislative Voting Record has provided objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation for Montana legislative sessions since 1974. This year’s legislative scorecard includes critical votes on fossil fuels, land use planning, water quality,  environmental policy, pollution prevention, energy, judiciary, and government transparency. For more information about each legislator’s votes and the 17 …

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]]> MEPA Gets Scapegoated…Again https://meic.org/mepa-gets-scapegoatedagain/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:09:39 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38698 by Anne Hedges When the Montana Supreme Court ruled that Montanans’ fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment includes the right to a stable climate, we knew the victory could spell trouble. When the Montana Supreme Court issued its decision in the Held v. State of Montana case in December, the legislative session …

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]]> Coal Mining: Repeating Past Legislative Mistakes https://meic.org/coal-mining-repeating-past-legislative-mistakes/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:08:02 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38701 by Derf Johnson Montana’s coal mining industry pursued a number of different legislative reforms during the 69th Legislative Session. While most of these passed and were signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte, the changes were relatively minor in terms of environmental and water quality-related protections. However, HB 587 (Rep. Gary Parry, R-Colstrip) made very …

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]]> Water Quality Takes a Bruising This Session https://meic.org/water-quality-takes-a-bruising-this-session/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:07:35 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38707 by Derf Johnson Protecting Montana’s water quality is an essential part of preserving Montana’s environment, cultural values, and economic prosperity. Water is absolutely the lifeblood of this semi-arid state, and the critical ingredient for assuring that Montanans continue to prosper and enjoy our home. Unfortunately, once again, the Montana Legislature has kowtowed to strong industry …

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]]> Legislators Tapped Out on Energy https://meic.org/legislators-tapped-out-on-energy/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:05:02 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38714 by Nick Fitzmaurice MEIC is taking stock of changes in the energy landscape coming out of the Legislative Session. Here’s a rundown of the energy bills MEIC was tracking. Renewable Energy Possibly the greatest proactive win for clean energy this session would be the passage of SB 188 (Sen. Chris Pope, D-Bozeman), the Montana Solar …

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]]> Transmission Makes Progress in Helena https://meic.org/transmission-makes-progress-in-helena/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:04:04 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38716 by Nick Fitzmaurice & Anne Hedges MEIC has been saying for years: you can’t transition without transmission. Without wires to move electricity from our abundant renewable wind and solar energy sources to where there is demand for carbon-free electricity, these projects cannot be built. This was a fantastic legislative session for electric transmission, which so …

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]]> The Data Center Development Gold Rush Has Reached Montana https://meic.org/the-data-center-development-gold-rush-has-reached-montana/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:03:22 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=38719 by Ben Catton While data center projects may appear promising at first glance — touting the potential for economic growth and infrastructure investment — the processes that safeguard our environment, electricity bills, public health, and infrastructure are being trampled by these overeager juggernauts of “opportunity.” For instance, Butte-Silver Bow County Commissioners voted in mid-April to …

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