Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] establishes a new framework for greenhouse gas assessments under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), requiring state agencies to conduct assessments specifically for fossil fuel activities, while allowing for additional assessments as needed. The bill replaces the term "environmental impact statements" with "environmental reviews" and clarifies that greenhouse gas emissions will not be regulated under MEPA. It emphasizes that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is not obligated to deny permits solely based on greenhouse gas emissions, although these emissions must be analyzed during the review process.

The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), particularly sections 75-1-201, 75-1-202, and 75-1-220, to reflect these changes. It removes references to "the human environment," replacing them with "Montana's environment," and introduces new definitions for terms like "fossil fuel activity" and "economic impacts." Additionally, it outlines the process for intervention in lawsuits challenging agency decisions and includes a severability clause to maintain the effectiveness of remaining provisions if any part of the act is invalidated. The act is set to take effect upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(1): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(2): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(3): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(4): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(5): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(6): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(7): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(8): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1(9): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_1: 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(1): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(10): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(2): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(3): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(4): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(5): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(6): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(7): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(8): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2(9): 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220
SB0221_2: 75-1-201, 75-1-202, 75-1-220