Western Environmental Law Center

The groups argue that the commission has a constitutional duty under Montana law to protect residents by weighing climate costs and greenhouse gas emissions, rather than passing the expenses of costly fossil fuel projects onto utility customers.

Represented by Earthjustice and the Western Environmental Law Center, the organizations say Factoring in climate impacts is necessary to protect public health and keep utility rates affordable.

Peter Christian, Montana State News Network.

Longtime Yellowstone County attorney Scott Twido is stepping down after 15 years as top county prosecutor to take the helm of federal law enforcement for all of Montana.

The groups argue that the commission has a constitutional duty under Montana law to protect residents by weighing climate costs and greenhouse gas emissions, rather than passing the expenses of costly fossil fuel projects onto utility customers.

Represented by Earth Justice and the Western Environmental Law Center, the organizations say factoring in climate impacts is necessary to protect public health and keep utility rates affordable.

Park officials at Glacier National Park are urging visitors to take extra precautions after confirming two dead snowshoe hares tested positive for tularemia in the Many Glacier Valley.

The carcasses were discovered late last month, one near park staff housing, another along the trail to Swiftcurrent Falls.

Next, the Montana PSC lawsuit.

17 organizations, including Earthjustice, the Western Environmental Law Center, and the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, filed suit against the Montana Public Service Commission, seeking a ruling that the PSC has a constitutional duty to consider climate change costs and risks when regulating gas and electric utilities.

This follows the PSC's September resolution rejecting a petition from the same groups asking the Commission to recognize that obligation.

Plaintiffs point to the PSC's approval of Northwestern Energy's recovery of costs for the 175-megawatt Yellowstone County generating station as an example of decisions they allege have increased ratepayer exposure to climate-related costs.