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Debate over MEPA greenhouse-gas analysis: committee advances HB 703
Summary
HB 703 would remove a DEQ requirement to include greenhouse-gas analysis in certain MEPA reviews; supporters said it streamlines review, opponents warned it would blind decisionmakers to environmental impacts. The committee voted 8–6 to advance the bill to the House floor.
House Bill 703 was presented to the House Natural Resources Committee with staff explaining the bill limits the requirement to include greenhouse-gas analysis in MEPA reviews for certain projects related to gas appliances, motor vehicles and engines. Committee discussion focused on whether the agency should be required to consider greenhouse-gas impacts as part of its environmental review.
Representative Simcoe said he was concerned the bill removes an analysis that had been performed “fairly easily” and urged a 'no' vote on behalf of Montana. Representative France strongly criticized the proposal, arguing that removing greenhouse-gas analysis prevents decisionmakers from understanding risks and cited judicial precedent: “...when the legislature starts taking away the agency's ability to look at environmental impacts, it distorts the analysis... close your eyes, put your hands over your ears, and pretend that there aren't issues out there that they shouldn't be taking into account.”
Supporters said that much of the necessary information is already in the record from previous environmental assessments and that the change narrows duplicative requirements. After debate the committee called the question and, on roll-call, voted 8–6 to advance HB 703 to the House floor.
