Montana Environmental Information Center - MEIC

10/21/2026

As cheaper and cleaner energy becomes the top choice for many consumers, Pres. Trump's administration wants to stay in the past. They have been using emergency orders to keep many coal-fired power plants alive, even past their scheduled retirement dates.

The coal industry has struggled to keep up with electricity demands, yet powerful coal executives, along with Pres. Trump's Energy Department, continue to throw money at inefficient plants that should've been taken off the grid years ago.

In a previously unreported letter, a top lobbyist floated the idea of using emergency powers to keep aging coal plants open.

10/20/2026

October 20 is Clean and Healthful Day in Montana! ☀️🏔️🌲

October 20 marks the anniversary of the landmark 1999 Montana Supreme Court decision in MEIC v. DEQ that established Montanan’s constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment as fundamental and preventative in nature.

The Montana Supreme Court wrote: “Our constitution does not require that dead fish float on the surface of our state’s rivers and streams before its farsighted environmental protections can be invoked… ”

MEIC was crucial in “breathing life” into this right and continues to fight so that Montanans truly do experience a Clean and Healthful Environment, including a stable, life-sustaining climate.

🌿 Join MEIC in celebrating by donating $10.20 to celebrate the anniversary of a landmark court decision that established this right as fundamental and preventative in nature!

Donate today to help protect this legacy: meic.org/donation-form

10/20/2026

Warmer weather due to climate change is causing an increase in toxic algae blooms, which can house harmful bacteria that can cause nausea, skin irritation, and liver damage. Recreating in the outdoors, especially in water, is a way of life for many Montanans, which is why it's alarming to hear that algae blooms are becoming more frequent.

Norther Rockies conservation director, Justin Hayes, says," States need to take this really seriously and start trying to solve it rather than just warning people.”

Climate change is increasing the frequency of the blooms. Here’s what you need to know.

10/19/2026

Following a demanding year defending Montana's clean and healthful environment—from navigating a Congressional investigation and opposing new mining proposals to advocating for data center regulations and lower energy bills—MEIC is now setting its sights on the upcoming 2027 Legislative Session.

To power MEIC’s critical lobbying efforts, we are officially launching our Montana Futures Raffle. 🎉🎟

With over 40 exceptional prizes and only 200 tickets available, your chances of winning are fantastic!

⭐ New this year, we are offering $250 "Golden Tickets" for six premium high-value prizes. With an even smaller ticket pool, your odds of winning will be even higher!

See the full lists of prizes and buy your ticket on MEIC's website at https://meic.org/2026-legislative-raffle/

Your ticket purchase directly powers our legislative work to protect Montana's clean air, pure water, and climate future!

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Starting next year, hyperscale data centers that are being built in rural communities will be eligible for a federal tax break as noted in Pres. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This comes as the backlash against data centers is growing, especially from people in rural areas.

Giving tax breaks to companies can have benefits, such as job creation and boosting the local economy, but history has shown this often isn't the case, especially when it comes to disadvantaged or poorer communities. So how about instead of giving tax benefits to data center developers, Pres. Trump's administration invest in long-term projects that will uplift and benefit communities?

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, data center projects in rural areas could be eligible for major tax benefits starting next year. Some hyperscalers do not seem eager to take the free cash.

10/16/2026

Nobody knows for sure how AI data centers are going to affect electricity rates, but experts say that ultimately, residential customers are going to have to pay for part of the AI buildout. This is due in part to higher energy needs from data centers, which will rely on less efficient fossil fuel power plants rather than wait for new energy technologies.

Data centers consume large amounts of power and require upgrading infrastructure. But it's difficult to determine how much residential customers benefit and how much they actually pay for the benefit.

10/15/2026

10/15/2026

Still relevant two years later. 👇

In 2024, Gayle Joslin of Helena Hunters and Anglers Association shared why the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) should account for the protection of Montana’s landscapes, wildlife, rivers, and fisheries in its utility decisions.

Today, Helena Hunters and Anglers Association joined the 16 other groups challenging the PSC for refusing to recognize its constitutional duty to protect Montana's clean and healthful environment.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BuahtbHid/