Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Politics

Judge cancels Montana gas plant’s permit over climate concerns

by April 8, 2023
April 8, 2023
Judge cancels Montana gas plant’s permit over climate concerns

A judge canceled the air quality permit for a natural gas power plant that’s under construction along the Yellowstone River in Montana citing worries over climate change.

State District Judge Michael Moses ruled Thursday that Montana officials failed to adequately consider the 23 million tons of planet-warming greenhouse gases that the project would emit over several decades.

Many utilities across the U.S. have replaced coal power with less polluting natural gas plants in recent years. But the industry remains under pressure to abandon fossil fuels altogether as climate change worsens.

The $250 million plant is being built by Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based NorthWestern Energy and would operate for at least 30 years. The company will appeal the order, a spokesperson said in a statement Friday, saying that the ruling could jeopardize reliable power service.

Montana officials had argued they had no authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. They also said that because climate change is a global phenomenon, state law prevented them from looking at its impacts.

But Moses said officials from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality had misinterpreted the law. He ordered them to conduct further environmental review and said they must gauge the climate change impacts within Montana in relation to the project. Major flooding on the Yellowstone last year wiped out bridges and triggered widespread evacuations following extreme rains, which scientists say are becoming more frequent as the climate changes.

‘The emissions and impacts of the (gas plant) are potentially significant,’ Moses wrote. ‘Defendants do not dispute this.’

The judge also faulted officials for not considering how lights from the project could impact surrounding property owners. It’s on the outskirts of the town of Laurel across the river from a residential neighborhood.

The plant would produce up to 175 megawatts of electricity. Its air permit was challenged in a 2021 lawsuit from the Montana Environmental Information Center and Sierra Club.

The Department of Environmental Quality was reviewing Moses’ order and agency officials had no immediate comment, spokesperson Moira Davin said.

A NorthWestern Energy representative did not say if the ruling would halt construction. The company says the plant would ensure enough electricity is available at times of high demand, such as on hot days or cold nights.

‘Our air permit was reviewed and approved by the DEQ using standards that have been in effect for many years,’ Vice President John Hines said in a NorthWestern’s statement. ‘We will work with the DEQ to determine the path forward.’

The ruling comes as the Montana Legislature weighs bills that would make it more difficult for organizations and individuals to sue state agencies over environmental decisions.

The state Senate passed a bill requiring anyone who wants to challenge an agency environmental review to have commented during the review process. They’d also have to pay for some of the agency’s court costs. The bill would also bar nonprofit organizations from using tax deductible donations to pay for lawsuits against state agencies.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
North Carolina GOP goes on offense, pushing ambitious agenda with new supermajority in state House
next post
Washington regulators shut down pot businesses over DDT concerns

You may also like

Biden running out of time to fulfill 2020...

February 28, 2024

GOP ‘dysfunction’ around McCarthy’s speaker bid could boost...

January 7, 2023

Dem senator who bashed Hegseth’s qualifications stands by...

January 15, 2025

Mark Your Calendars: Trial of US Green Beret...

November 30, 2022

US secretly sends long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine,...

October 18, 2023

‘Squad’ Members Urge Biden to Extend Marijuana Pardons...

November 16, 2022

Trump-backed election security bill advances through key House...

May 23, 2024

Pelosi claims she has ‘respect for whistleblowers’ despite...

July 24, 2023

Nebraska Economic Development director resigns over COVID grant...

April 6, 2023

Biden Regime to Investigate Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition...

October 21, 2022

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Unmasking Medicaid Money-Laundering Schemes: Medicaid Financing Gimmicks 101

      June 27, 2025
    • Top moments from the Trump-Biden debate that changed the course of the 2024 election

      June 27, 2025
    • Trump exerted ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran and Israel to ‘deliver peace’: Leavitt

      June 27, 2025
    • Iranian foreign minister reiterates ‘serious damage’ to nuclear facilities, despite ayatollah’s comments

      June 27, 2025
    • Maybe Most People Do Not Want Teacher-Led Public School Prayer—But They Do Want Chaplains

      June 27, 2025
    • Flashback: The debate night against Trump that threw Biden’s reelection campaign into a free fall

      June 27, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,329)
    • Investing (2,076)
    • Politics (15,829)
    • Stocks (3,173)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved