PSC hears supporters, opponents on petition on climate change

More than 40 businesses and organizations are petitioning for the Montana Public Service Commission to consider the future effects of climate change.

PSC oversees public utilities in the state and on Monday their role in climate change came into question.

“We are here today with the recognition that the commission has the most consequential role of any decision-making body in this state in terms of Montana’s impact on the climate,” said Barbara Chilcott, an attorney for the Western Environmental Law Center.

A petition for PSC to consider greenhouse gas emissions pertaining to utilities and future plans.

This petition had support from groups including Montana Environmental Information Center, Big Sky Resort and others throughout the state.

“Elevated Co2 concentration pose significant stress on plants. Favoring invasive species and those unpalatable to livestock,” said Tim Holmes, representing the Northern Plans Resource Council.

Supporters of the petition argued that Montana’s greenhouse gas emissions rival entire countries including Pakistan and Argentina.

They pointed towards to low snowpack, concerns of drought and severity of wildfires as evidence that action needs to start now.

“Adopting this rule is an opportunity to say to Montana youth that we deserve the same freedoms that your generation experienced. That you care about us,” said Eva Molina, representing Gallatin Valley Sunrise.

Not everyone at the meeting was in support of the petition. opponents had a chance to include their voice in the discussion.

“There is no climate crisis in Montana and Co2 is actually beneficial because Co2 greens the Earth and is greening Montana and Montana has had more trees growing over the years,” said Frits Byron Soepyan, a research and science associate with CO2 Coalition Research.

Some argued this petition had no plan for workers that might lose jobs as a result.

A representative for unions throughout the state said this petition makes working people pay the cost for climate change.

“It is not justice and certainly not equitable for the cost of climate change to be put on the backs of working people,” said Amanda Frickle, the political director at Montana State AFL-CIO. “They did not cause this problem and should not be forced to pay the price with their livelihoods, their pensions and the health of our local economies.”

An official told NBC Montana that PSC will review the information gathered and decide on the next step forward with the petition.

In the meantime, they are still taking public comments until April 12 on the petition. Visit psc.mt.gov to submit your comment.