Montana lawmakers debate changes to environmental review law
Republicans in Montana’s legislature are pushing to limit environmental reviews, while Democrats want stronger oversight following a court ruling that affirmed the state’s duty to consider climate impacts.
Micah Drew reports for Daily Montanan.
In short:
- The Montana Supreme Court upheld a ruling that the state's Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) must allow analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing Montanans' right to a clean environment.
- Republicans are introducing bills to restrict MEPA's role, arguing it should be purely procedural, while Democrats want to align the law with the court's decision.
- Proposed bills would redefine MEPA’s scope, limit when courts can block permits and specify how greenhouse gas emissions should be considered in reviews.
Key quote:
“The Montana Constitution guarantees that certain environmental harms shall be prevented, and prevention depends on forethought.”
— Montana Supreme Court ruling
Why this matters:
Changes to MEPA could weaken environmental protections or reshape how Montana evaluates projects affecting land, water and air. The debate mirrors a broader national conflict over industry interests versus climate accountability. MEPA, which has been in place since 1971, requires state agencies to assess the environmental impact of major projects such as mining operations, pipelines and infrastructure expansions. Critics of the proposed changes worry that scaling back the scope of reviews could lead to unchecked environmental harm, while supporters argue that current regulations are burdensome and discourage investment.
Learn more: Opinion: Youth v. Montana — Young adults speak up
