Groups Sue PSC for Refusing to Consider Climate Change

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Montana’s Constitution establishes the right to a clean and healthful environment. Does that right extend to how the state regulates the climate impacts of monopoly utilities, like NorthWestern Energy? 

A coalition of businesses, environmental groups and healthcare professionals says yes. That’s why they first petitioned the Montana Public Service Commission to include climate change in its regulatory decision-making two years ago.

Last month the PSC formally rejected that petition, and this week EarthJustice and the Western Environmental Law Center filed suit in state district court on behalf of 17 groups including the Montana Chapter of the American Academy of  

Derek Goldman with the Northwest Energy Coalition is one of the petitioners-turned-plaintiffs. In a statement about the lawsuit, he said, “With each passing year, the effects of greenhouse gas pollution on Montana and the region become more severe.”