By Cari Kimball
Supporters of all ages turned out to support the Held plaintiffs. Photo by Cari Kimball.
The light is low and the air is crisp. I know I’m not alone in the annual struggle of striking the right balance between MAKING MERRY and hibernating during this time of year. The hustle and bustle of holiday season gatherings and activities can be so cheerful and fun, but the introvert in me particularly enjoys hunkering down for a cozy day of reading, many mugs of tea, and baking projects. This time of year also offers us a chance to reflect on all that took place in 2023 and to ponder what we’ll be working toward in the year to come. Oh boy, do we have a lot of accomplishments to reminisce about!
2023 was quite the year. Things really started with a bang as MEIC’s four full-time lobbyists joined forces with our communications and engagement staffers to lobby the heck out of the 2023 Legislative Session. With the help of our partners and supporters, MEIC’s team battled proposals to amend Montana’s constitution, proposals to undercut rooftop solar, “takings” legislation that would hand out beaucoup bucks to developers at the expense of our local communities, a 300% tax increase on wind energy projects, a “loser pay” bill that would mean only the richest of the rich could level legal challenges, and so much more. Despite stiff headwinds, MEIC successfully lobbied for the passage of two “Right to Know” laws that will increase transparency in government decision-making. All-in-all, the Legislature presented us with crucial opportunities to connect with our supporters who joined us for 18 Zoom legislative info updates (with an average of 53 attendees each week!), six Legislative Roadshow gatherings in communities across the state, and three in-person rallies and Lobby Days at the Capitol.
After a long, intense session, MEIC’s staff took a deep breath, dusted ourselves off, and dove back into the work. After all, there’s little use to lobbying for good environmental legislation if we aren’t also ensuring that those laws are followed! In 2023, we saw several good decisions out of the courts, rulings that an expansion at the Rosebud Coal Mine was illegal, that the permitting process for a Big Sky subdivision’s wastewater system was inadequate, an expansion of the Signal Peak coal mine was illegal, and that DEQ failed to fully weigh the impacts of climate when approving permits for NorthWestern Energy’s polluting gas plant in Yellowstone County.
As always, one of our favorite activities is connecting with our members, supporters, and partners to make moves for Montana’s air, water, land, critters, and climate. Over the summer, our crew convened a summer Montana Climate Summit for advocates across the state to identify ways to further weave our work together. We rallied our friends to show love for the Held v. State of Montana youth plaintiffs where MEIC’s work played a pivotal role in the court’s favorable decision, supported a successful inaugural Billings Climate Week, and bolstered energetic turnout for PSC and DEQ hearings where folks voiced concerns about the climate and the injustice of NorthWestern Energy rate hikes. And, of course, in September, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of MEIC’s founding by gathering with our community of supporters in the Bitterroot to eat delicious food, hear from inspiring speakers, and dance the night away under a big star-filled sky. That was the party of a lifetime! Thank you, thank you —to everyone who attended the event, to our staff for their work pulling it off, and to our generous sponsors. What a team!
I love seeing the through line of how MEIC’s work this year builds upon our organization’s 50 years of history: banning heap leach mining, protecting Montana’s beloved Blackfoot and Smith Rivers to stopping coal plant construction, fighting for government transparency, advocating for the public’s right to participate, holding corporations accountable, defending grizzly bear habitat and wilderness waters, and keeping toxic, carcinogenic pollutants out of our air, water, and soil. MEIC is nimble, effective, and persistent. We are able to do so much because we have a fantastic community of rabble-rousers and changemakers, brilliant partners with complementary strengths, and a staff and board team that consistently shows up.
Anne Hedges, Katy Spence, and MEIC supporters laugh during Jensen’s speech at the 50th. Photo by Amanda Jones.
Montana is exceptional. We draw inspiration from this most beautiful place on the planet. And because we treasure so much about this place, we also know we have a lot to lose. Unfortunately, extractive industries also have their sights set on our state. In the coming year, we will continue to demand better for Montana and Montanans. We deserve cleaner air, water, energy, and thoughtfully developed communities that will provide a higher quality of life for future generations. With your help, we’ll be moving closer and closer to that brighter future.
I hope that this winter, you’ll find yourself sipping a warm beverage and gazing at some snow-capped peaks to really savor this season of reflection and gratitude. Please know that from our corner of the Last Best Place, we will be toasting you. Your role in MEIC’s circle of supporters has helped make it all possible. Cheers to 50 more years!
This article was published in the December 2023 issue of Down To Earth.
