Coal, Cars, and Climate Change

The Montana Legislature will be taking up these very important and related issues in the next week.

Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) strongly encourages you to attend these hearings, whether just to listen and learn or, better yet, to speak your mind.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2009, at 3 PM, in State Capitol room 422
The Senate Natural Resources Committee will hear SB 180 (Sen. Ron Erickson, D-Missoula). This bill would direct the State to adopt the California clean car standard. The California law requires new cars to emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Just this week President Obama directed the U.S. EPA to review the Bush Administration’s denial of California’s right to establish vehicle emission standards that are more stringent than federal ones. If EPA allows the California standard to be imposed, 13 other states will adopt the standard as well. This bill would add Montana to the growing list of states that want motor vehicles to pollute less.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009, at Noon, in State Capitol room 303
Listen to Montana’s leading climate scientist and Nobel laureate, Dr. Steven Running, give a presentation to the public and legislators on the latest scientific information about global warming.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2009, at 3 PM, in State Capitol room 472
The House Natural Resources Committee will hear HB 254 (Rep. Mike Phillips, D-Bozeman). This bill would direct the State to develop rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. It is a critical first step in helping control greenhouse gas emissions statewide. Come support this effort.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009, at 3 PM, in State Capitol room 317
The Senate will hold a hearing on coal development in Montana. MEIC’s Anne Hedges and Citizens for Clean Energy’s Rich Liebert will be among a panel of presenters discussing the impediments to coal development in Montana. Come learn about how coal emissions contribute to global warming. Starting at 4 PM, the Committee will take public comments. Tell them of your concerns about global warming and increased coal development in Montana.