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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
Climate & Energy
Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels through an equitable transition to renewable and clean energy sources
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
Statement from MEIC’s Anne Hedges on NorthWestern Energy’s announcement about acquiring Puget Sound Energy’s shares of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.
July 31, 2024 – NorthWestern Energy’s announcement of its intention to acquire Puget Sound Energy’s shares of the unreliable Colstrip plant is the epitome of NorthWestern’s inability to plan for an affordable and reliable energy future. Not only is Montana’s monopoly utility the only utility in the country planning to invest more in coal-fired power, but it’s choosing to invest in the dirtiest, most polluting coal plant in the country.
From a Board Member: Beth Taylor-Wilson
July 1, 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
Montana PSC asks NorthWestern about allegations it’s working contrary to Montana law
Aug 1, 2024 – The request for information by the Public Service Commission comes after three renewable energy groups raised concerns about the formation of the Electric Technical Advisory Committee and how it’s operating.
NorthWestern Energy announces deal to acquire larger share of Colstrip power plant
July 31, 2024 – NorthWestern Energy announced this week that it will acquire a large share of the Colstrip power plant from Puget Sound Energy, a Washington-based utility facing a mandate to stop using coal-generated power by 2025.
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