Environment (Climate Change)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 669: Requiring public utilities to report a plan for 100% renewables

This bill requires public utilities in Montana to create and submit detailed plans by June 1, 2026, outlining how they intend to transition to 100% renewable energy sources for their retail sales. The plans must include specific options, timelines, and challenges related to achieving this goal, with hydroelectric resources potentially included as part of the renewable mix. Additionally, each utility must address how its proposed transition will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in compliance with state constitutional requirements. The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee will review these plans, gather public feedback, and provide recommendations to the next legislature for further action.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates 100% renewable energy transition for public utilities, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 100% renewable energy transition for utilities, directly advancing environmental protection and reducing greenhouse gas emissions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Climate Change

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 1392: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

This bill directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to create rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. It expands the department's existing authority to regulate air pollutants by explicitly requiring it to develop emission limits while exempting certain agricultural and forestry activities from new permitting requirements. The legislation also allows the department to require access to emissions-related records and establish fees for permits and applications. These changes apply to the state environmental agency and any entities subject to its air quality regulations, with specific carve-outs for short-term agricultural and forestry operations.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts energy production by requiring GHG emission limits, which would constrain fossil fuel and other energy sources.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly requires limiting greenhouse gas emissions to protect environment and public health, strengthening environmental regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Climate Change Forestry

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 3841: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act to implement court decision

This bill amends Montana's Environmental Policy Act to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling, requiring state agencies to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews. It removes previous language that prohibited considering greenhouse gases and mandates that agencies analyze alternatives to proposed projects, including a meaningful no-action alternative that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts if a project is not completed. The changes also require agencies to examine how regulations affect private property rights and ensure that environmental assessments include customer fiscal impact analyses where applicable. These provisions apply to all state agencies except the legislature and affect the process for reviewing state-sponsored projects that could impact Montana's environment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and mandates analysis of alternatives including no-action options, advancing environmental protection and clean energy considerations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring greenhouse gas emissions evaluation and meaningful alternatives analysis in environmental reviews.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 24, 2025

LC 4171: Generally revise the Montana environmental policy act

This bill requires state agencies in Montana to conduct greenhouse gas assessments for proposed fossil fuel projects as part of their environmental reviews under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The legislation clarifies that while agencies cannot deny permits based on greenhouse gas emissions, they must still analyze these emissions for fossil fuel activities to inform the public about potential impacts. The bill amends existing environmental review statutes to mandate this analysis for fossil fuel projects while maintaining that greenhouse gases will not be regulated through this process. State agencies conducting environmental reviews will follow updated guidelines that specify when greenhouse gas assessments are required versus optional.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires greenhouse gas assessments for fossil fuel projects, promoting transparency and environmental protection while not restricting energy development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental review by requiring greenhouse gas assessments for fossil fuel projects, enhancing public awareness of climate impacts while maintaining regulatory oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1391: Requiring certain entities doing business in Montana to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions

This bill (LC 1391) proposed requiring certain businesses operating in Montana to publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions. It would have directly affected large commercial entities meeting specific size or emission thresholds within the state. The bill outlined a reporting mechanism for entities to submit annual emissions data to a state agency. However, the bill was drafted in November 2024 and ultimately died in the legislative process by May 2025, meaning it never became law and no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions by large businesses, promoting transparency and accountability for environmental impact per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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signed · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 221: Generally revise the Montana environmental policy act

SB 221 revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by establishing new requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments during state agency environmental reviews. Under this bill, state agencies are mandated to conduct GHG assessments for proposed actions classified as "fossil fuel activities." For other proposed actions, agencies may conduct a GHG assessment if deemed necessary for MEPA compliance. The bill clarifies that these assessments are for informational purposes, and state agencies cannot regulate greenhouse gas emissions or deny permits based solely on these GHG assessments under MEPA. This affects Montana state agencies conducting environmental reviews and entities proposing fossil fuel-related projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG assessments for fossil fuel projects under MEPA, advancing climate data collection for environmental reviews.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 660: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

HB 660, titled "Require rules to limit GHG emissions," would have mandated the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop specific rules for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This bill sought to amend existing state law (Section 75-2-112, MCA) by requiring the DEQ to create regulations to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment from these emissions. The legislation directly affects the DEQ by expanding its regulatory responsibilities to include greenhouse gases.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates DEQ to create rules limiting GHG emissions, directly advancing environmental protection and reducing fossil fuel dependence in energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to develop rules limiting GHG emissions, directly strengthening environmental regulations to protect public health and environment per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 229: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act to Implement court decision

HB 229 aimed to revise the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) to implement a Montana Supreme Court decision. The bill would have removed the prohibition on state agencies evaluating greenhouse gas emissions during environmental reviews for projects. It also sought to clarify MEPA's purpose, focusing on public information and considering environmental impacts, while setting criteria for analyzing project alternatives and potential impacts on private property rights. This would have affected how state agencies conduct environmental assessments and the scope of information considered for state-sponsored projects in Montana.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves prohibition on evaluating greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, enabling consideration of climate impacts per court decision, strengthening MEPA's environmental review process.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 294: Requiring public utilities to report a plan for 100% renewables

SB 294 requires Montana's public utilities (like electricity providers) to create a detailed plan by May 2026 showing how they will source 100% of their retail electricity from renewable energy (including hydroelectric power) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan must outline specific options, timelines, and challenges for achieving these goals, aligning with Montana's constitutional duty to protect the environment. Utilities must submit these plans to the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee by June 2026, which will review them, gather public input, and recommend changes to the next legislature. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage but is currently inactive after dying in committee.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to develop 100% renewable energy plans by 2026, advancing clean energy transition and environmental protection per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 100% renewable energy plans, reduces emissions, aligns with constitutional environmental duty per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Renewable Energy Climate Change

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