Everyone Deserves Clean Air
Support a strong Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) rule
We protect and improve Montana for future generations.
Protecting Air & Water
Protecting and advancing air and water quality standards to ensure a clean and healthy climate for future generations. Campaign areas include fighting hardrock mines and pushing for air pollution regulations at power plants and industrial pollution sources.
Climate & Energy
Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels through an equitable transition to renewable and clean energy sources. Campaign areas include NorthWestern Energy accountability, development of clean and affordable energy, promotion of energy efficiency, and fighting coal, oil, and gas development and use in Montana.
Down to Earth
Stay up-to-date on the latest environment news in Montana with Down to Earth, our quarterly membership publication.
MEIC MEETS WITH MEMBERS AROUND THE STATE
NWE WANTS TO RAISE RATES AGAIN
FAMILY TRANSFER LAND USE EXEMPTION
TWO STEPS FORWARD AND ONE STEP BACK WITH SIGNAL PEAK ENERGY'S COAL MINE
MEIC MEETS WITH MEMBERS AROUND THE STATE
MEIC Summer Events
MEIC’s staff have been busy bees this summer, attending a number of events around the state.
NWE WANTS TO RAISE RATES AGAIN
NorthWestern Asks to Raise Electricity Rates AGAIN — by 26% more
NorthWestern Energy has returned to the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) asking for permission to reach into customers’ pockets for another significant rate increase to prop up its budget-busting and heavily polluting fossil fuel investments. Unfortunately, these increases have resulted in Montana having the second highest electricity rates in the region (and fourth highest energy costs in the country), and still climbing if NorthWestern has its way.
FAMILY TRANSFER LAND USE EXEMPTION
Subdivision Loophole Undermines Communities and the Environment
Montana’s Subdivision and Platting Act (MSPA) is intended to ensure the orderly growth and development of communities, public health and safety, and the protection of our environment. However, divisions of land created under the “family transfer” exemption — that is, when transferring land to immediate family member(s) — are not subject to the same level of analysis and are exempt from the comprehensive review that is required under the MSPA.
TWO STEPS FORWARD AND ONE STEP BACK WITH SIGNAL PEAK ENERGY'S COAL MINE
Sen. Daines Proposes Privatizing Federal Lands, Skirting Protections
Montana’s only underground coal mine is Signal Peak’s Bull Mountain Mine north of Billings near Roundup. It has been an environmental nightmare for Montana, producing enormous amounts of air pollution and entirely destroying the sparse water sources in the arid Bull Mountains.
The Latest Stories and Actions from MEIC
From a Board Member: Kathy Juedeman
October 15, 2024Sen. Daines Proposes Privatizing Federal Lands, Skirting Protections
October 15, 2024
Let's rise up.
Help protect Montana’s clean air and water.
For 50 years, MEIC has worked to keep Montana’s air and water clean. We have stopped dirty acid mines and helped pass and defend strong pollution control laws. And it’s all made possible by our members.
MEIC is made up of thousands of Montanans who care deeply about this state – our home. This strong membership has allowed MEIC to remain independent and to always fight for what is right. We would love to have you as a member too.
MEIC in the News
Lawsuit asks court to stop Montana Legislative Services from keeping bill draft documents secret
Oct 30, 2024 – Documents related to drafting bills can’t be kept secret from the public, and a new policy that creates a barrier to the information interferes with the “right to know” protected in the Montana Constitution, a new lawsuit alleges.
Legislators should protect customers from NorthWestern Energy rate increases, Montanans say
Oct 7, 2024 – Montanans want legislators to make sure the Montana Consumer Counsel looks out for families and small business customers of NorthWestern Energy as the utility asks for another rate increase — on the heels of a 28% hike approved in a settlement last year.
More News:
Save Our Smith—more than just a river.
THE SMITH RIVER
A COMMON CAUSE
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER
THE SMITH RIVER
The Smith River is not a location for another failed mining experiment.
Montana’s Smith River is renowned worldwide for its clean water, rugged canyon scenery, and blue ribbon trout fishery. The Smith is Montana’s only permitted recreational river. The permitted section of the Smith River winds 59 miles through a remote canyon in the Big Belt Mountains. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks classifies the Smith River’s fishery as high-value, owing to its bountiful population of rainbow, brown, westslope cutthroat, and brook trout. The canyon walls of the Smith also boast some of the best examples of Native American pictographs in Montana.
A COMMON CAUSE
Urge Montana to protect the Smith.
Montana’s Smith River is an extraordinary resource, and deserves our most rigorous effort to protect it from mine pollution and dewatering. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Department of Environmental Quality Director Chris Dorrington will make critical decisions that will determine the future of the Smith River and the Sheep Creek Mine.
Please contact Governor Gianforte and Director Dorrington. Let them know that the Smith River is an incredibly important place for the people of Montana and across the country and world, and should not be sacrificed for temporary and risky mining activities.
PROTECTING CLEAN WATER
It’s time to make a stand.
The Smith River and its tributaries provide crucial habitat and spawning grounds for regional trout fisheries. The Sheep Creek drainage accounts for over half of tributary spawning of rainbow trout in the Smith River drainage, and rainbow trout have been known to travel nearly 200 miles round-trip from the Missouri River to spawn!
The Smith River depends on clean cold water from its tributaries to sustain the aquatic life within its banks and the agricultural operations along it. Demands on the river’s waters already often exceed available flows in many years, creating challenges for downstream water users.
“For a practice that has a known effect on soils and strata and water, the onus should be on the applicant [to pay for mine clean-up]. I appreciate mining practices, but what is anything worth if you don’t have clean water?”
J.P. Pomnichowski
Former Senator, SD 33
Montana Environmental
Information Center
Clean and healthful.
It's your right, our mission.
Stay Connected
P: (406) 443-2520
E: meic@meic.org
107 W. Lawrence St., #N-6
Helena, MT 59601
Mailing addresses:
P.O. Box 1184, Helena, MT, 59624
225 W. Front, Missoula, MT, 59802