Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC https://meic.org/ 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 Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC https://meic.org/ 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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]]> Press Release: Groups challenge Montana’s second rubberstamp of methane gas plant near Laurel https://meic.org/groups-challenge-montanas-second-rubberstamp-of-methane-gas-plant-near-laurel/ Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:42:17 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39573 The Department of Environmental Quality failed to adequately evaluate climate impacts for a second time, despite an order from the Montana Supreme Court   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 29, 2025 CONTACTS Meridian Wappett, Western Environmental Law Center, 208-596-9870, wappett@westernlaw.org Perry Wheeler, Earthjustice, pwheeler@earthjustice.org Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center, 406-461-9546, ahedges@meic.org   Conservation groups today …

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]]> Down to Earth: September 2025 https://meic.org/down-to-earth-september-2025/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:09:51 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39446 Click the icon at the bottom right to view the issue full screen. September 2025

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]]> Forest Service Nears Ruling on Libby Exploration Project https://meic.org/forest-service-nears-ruling-on-libby-exploration-project/ Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:59:22 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39590 By Katie Bartlett, Flathead Beacon While Baker stepped down in 2024, Montana Environmental Information Center Policy Associate Ben Catton, who contributed to the EarthJustice objection, believes that the “culture and values he represented are likely to still be present at Hecla.”   Read the full story.

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]]> As Utility Rates Skyrocket, So Do NorthWestern CEO Paychecks https://meic.org/as-utility-rates-skyrocket-so-do-northwestern-ceo-paychecks/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 22:59:24 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39351 By Nick Fitzmaurice In July 2024, NorthWestern Energy filed an application with the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase residential electricity base rates by 26%. This came on the heels of a decision by the PSC in October 2023 to approve a 28% increase to NorthWestern’s residential electric customers. The PSC now has until …

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]]> A Victory for Montana’s Sunshine Laws https://meic.org/a-victory-for-montanas-sunshine-laws/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:23:07 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39450 by Derf Johnson MEIC exists on the edge of government and its operations. If you boil down our day-to-day work, a substantial portion is the pick-and-shovel work of document review in order to hold the government accountable. It requires regular communication with government officials, accessing and reviewing enormous volumes of documents, attending meetings, and lobbying …

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]]> Bull Mountain Coal Mine Gets Sweetheart Deal from Feds https://meic.org/bull-mountain-coal-mine-gets-sweetheart-deal-from-feds/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:20:50 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39452 by Derf Johnson The new federal government, led by Pres. Donald Trump — as well as Montana’s congressional delegation — is hell-bent on doing everything it can to prop up fossil fuels and undermine the clean energy transition. Pres. Trump’s Executive Orders were issued fast and furious in his first months in office, a slew …

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]]> Massive Rosebud Coal Mine Expansion Receives Expedited Approval https://meic.org/massive-rosebud-coal-mine-expansion-receives-expedited-approval/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:19:12 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39456 by Katy Spence  When it rains, it pours, and the federal government is opening the skies. On the eve of our Down to Earth deadline, with every article planned and penned and half the staff out for a summer break, the Department of Interior announced its release of an updated environmental review and approval of …

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]]> Montana Congressional Delegation’s Public Lands Bait-and-Switch https://meic.org/montana-congressional-delegations-public-lands-bait-and-switch/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:18:51 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39458 by Anne Hedges  This article was published as an op-ed in Montana papers.  You can’t take your bird dog hunting on lands being mined or filled with oil rigs, even if they are “public” lands.  While Montanans were right to celebrate removing the sale of public lands from the recent Congressional budget bill, some may …

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]]> Derf Johnson, Rob Farris-Olsen, and Kim Wilson Receive Award https://meic.org/derf-johnson-rob-farris-olsen-and-kim-wilson-receive-award/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 14:17:28 +0000 https://meic.org/?p=39463 by Katy Spence  In early August, MEIC Deputy Director Derf Johnson was awarded the Montana Trial Lawyers Association’s (MTLA) Appellate Advocacy Award alongside MEIC board member Rob Farris-Olsen and former board member Kim Wilson for Outstanding Appellate Advocacy. This award recognizes their work on MEIC v. Office of the Governor for the State of Montana, …

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