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 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.
SAVING THE SMITH RIVER
FEDERAL COAL LEASING ON THE WAY OUT
PUSHING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
MEIC SUES THE DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SAVING THE SMITH RIVER
An Opportunity to Protect the Smith
For over a decade, MEIC and our partners have engaged in a prolonged fight to prevent the Smith River Mine (aka the Black Butte Copper Mine) from ever moving forward and threatening the water quality and natural values of the Smith River watershed.
FEDERAL COAL LEASING ON THE WAY OUT
Montana and Wyoming BLM to Phase Out Federal Coal Leasing
VICTORY – In a historic shift, indicative of the dramatic movement towards cleaner sources of energy, the Biden Administration recently announced that it would no longer lease federal coal in the Powder River Basin (PRB) of Montana and Wyoming.
PUSHING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
The PSC is Not Above the Law When it Comes to Climate
MEIC continues to bring its concerns regarding climate change to the doorstep of the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC). With direct regulatory oversight of monopoly utilities such as NorthWestern Energy — whose fossil fuel infrastructure drives Montana’s climate-altering pollution — the elected PSC has the potential to be the most impactful body in the state to mitigate the climate crisis. The PSC is also constitutionally obligated to do so.
MEIC SUES THE DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Montana Attorney General Denies Access to Public Records and Sides with Foreign Mining Company
If DOJ’s support for a foreign mining company operating in Canada that is polluting U.S. waters doesn’t raise your eyebrows, then perhaps its privilege claims over public documents will.
The Latest Stories and Actions from MEIC
Webinar Recording — NorthWestern Energy’s 2024 Rate Case
October 11, 2024Event Recording — Transmission and the Climate Panel Discussion
October 7, 20242024 Board of Directors Election
September 24, 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
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.
Groups challenge Montana DEQ’s decision to allow more coal mining for Bull Mountain Mine
Sept 30, 2024 – Three environmental groups are suing the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for approving an expansion for the Bull Mountain Mine that would open up more land for coal mining, but which the groups say would continue to damage water supplies for ranchers, destroy cultural artifacts sacred to Native American tribes and contribute significantly to climate change.
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