NorthWestern Energy’s 20-Year Plan
If you care about the climate and your energy bills you need to know what’s in it.
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.
THE FIGHT AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS CONTINUES
MEIC GOES TO COURT OVER EXEMPT WELLS
TRANSMISSION OUTLOOK IS GOOD FOR MT
DATA CENTER HYPE SPELLS TROUBLE
THE FIGHT AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS CONTINUES
MEIC Challenges DEQ’s Rubber Stamp of Laurel Gas Plant
On September 29, Earthjustice and Western Environmental Law Center, on behalf of MEIC and Northern Plains Resource Council, filed a challenge to DEQ’s continued failure to analyze, disclose, and consider the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from one of the largest pollution sources ever to be permitted in Montana.
MEIC GOES TO COURT OVER EXEMPT WELLS
Montana’s Exempt Well Loophole: A Constitutional Crisis for Our Water
Across Montana, the quiet spread of exempt wells is creating a big problem for our rivers, streams, and drinking water.
TRANSMISSION OUTLOOK IS GOOD FOR MT
Study Outlines Paths for Transmission Improvements
Working to overcome obstacles for transmission development, MEIC helped fund a study by the independent energy consulting firm Energy Strategies to examine transmission needs for improving Montana’s connection to other states in the West.
DATA CENTER HYPE SPELLS TROUBLE
MEIC to PSC: Protect Montanans from Data Center Threats
NorthWestern Energy wants to provide electricity to energy-guzzling data centers while it evades its legal obligations to existing customers.
The Latest Stories and Actions from MEIC
Recording of Boulder Panel Event: Data Center Impacts
April 6, 2026Now hiring: Communications Associate
April 2, 2026
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
DEQ taking public comment on proposed guidance for greenhouse gas assessments
Oct. 20, 2025 – The new guidance will be closely watched by groups like the Montana Environmental Information Center. MEIC has sued DEQ, claiming its current greenhouse gas assessments aren’t sufficient to comply with Held.
Not so fast: Groups warn of downsides to potential data centers in Butte
Oct. 17, 2025 – “A lot of people have already heard the data center side — that they’re great for the economy, they’re great for jobs, they’re great for everybody and everything,” Anne Hedges, executive director of the Montana Environmental Information Center, told about 70 people at a forum on the issue in Butte Thursday night. “But a lot of other places in the nation have been experiencing something very different.”
More News:
Montana Environmental
Information Center
Clean and healthful.
It's your right, our mission.
Stay Connected
P: (406) 443-2520
E: meic@meic.org
324 Fuller Ave, #C-8
Helena, MT 59601
Mailing addresses:
P.O. Box 1184, Helena, MT, 59624
225 W. Front, Missoula, MT, 59802