Update on bill targeting Yellowstone Gateway Mines campaign and 'worst bill of the session'
I'm writing today with two pieces of bad news out of Helena:
First, Senate Bill 557, which targets our landmark legal victory against DEQ in 2020, passed the House Natural Resources Committee and is on its way to a full vote in the House.
Second, what MEIC has dubbed "the worst bill of the session" has now been introduced and would help gut the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The Montana House suspended its regular rules to introduce the bill, which targets a recent court decision about a natural gas plant in Laurel.
You can learn more about both bills below.
If you want to help take action, one great way is to support PCEC. This week, we have a $15,000 match to help celebrate Earth Week.
Senate Bill 557
Unfortunately the bill passed the House Natural Resources Committee, 8-7. Thanks to everyone who testified against the bill.
Rep. Marty Malone, who represents many of our members, listened to our input and voted no on the bill. You should contact Rep. Malone to thank him for his vote and tell him to urge colleagues to vote no. You should also tell him to vote no on HB971 (which he unfortunately supported in committee).
The bill has been amended slightly, but still creates a "pay-to-play" system in order to enforce environmental protections when the state refuses to do so.
Here's the contact info for our reps.
MT Representative Marty Malone
House District 59
P: (406) 223-1302
Email: Marty.Malone@legmt.gov
MT Representative Laurie Bishop
House District 60
P: (406) 223-1122
Email: Laurie.Bishop@legmt.gov
House Bill 971
Here's info on the bill from our partners at Montana Environmental Information Center:
Last Friday, the House suspended the rules to introduce a new bill more than one month after the deadline: HB 971, a bill to ban consideration of climate impacts and exempt DEQ from analyzing environmental, cultural and economic impacts of mining, air, and oil and gas projects.
The hearing was scheduled for the following Monday. Our staff and allies worked over the weekend to analyze the bill and spread the word. Many drove for hours to testify in House Natural Resources yesterday – all-in-all, more than 60 people testified against the bill, many of whom are personally impacted or represent those who are. (Only a handful of fossil fuel representatives and corporate lobbyists testified in favor of this bill.)
The committee passed the bill later that same evening, after being introduced just one business day prior.
Click here to attend MEIC's weekly legislative update on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. to learn more.