Victory Roundup
MEIC ’s 50th year of defending Montana’s Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment was one of the most rugged and successful years in our history. Here are the highlights:
• MEIC defended the Montana Constitution, clean water, clean energy, and our climate at the 2023 Montana Legislative Session.
• MEIC lobbied for the successful passage of two right-to-know laws during the Legislative Session that will help ensure government accountability in a transparent and timely manner.
• In February, a federal judge halted Signal Peak’s requested coal mine expansion due to a lawsuit from MEIC and partners.
• In April, a district court judge ruled in favor of MEIC and local communities based on air quality and climate issues against NorthWestern Energy’s polluting methane gas plant near Laurel.
• MEIC ’s co-director Anne Hedges testified at the landmark youth climate trial Held v. State of Montana , drawing on decades of advocacy from MEIC staff and supporters.
• In November, the Montana Supreme Court vacated an expansion permit for the Rosebud Mine, the sole supplier of coal for the Colstrip power plant.
• MEIC supporters came from far and wide to celebrate MEIC ’s 50th Anniversary with outdoor activities and a party!
• 2023 was MEIC ’s most successful year of fundraising to date – thanks to generous supporters like you. Thank you!
MEIC completes an anti-racism audit, begins the real work.
In 2023, MEIC board and staff commissioned an anti-racism audit from WiderStand Consulting. In this process, WiderStand consultants reviewed MEIC materials, work procedures, board and staff policies, and conducted focus group discussions to identify organizational elements that might be alienating or even harmful for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color on our staff, on our board, our community of partners and supporters, or people impacted by our work. This process was challenging, but important – MEIC has long worked to be non-discriminatory, but some practices and language can be so embedded that they’re hard to see unless someone points it out. We’re grateful to WiderStand and our Equity and Justice board committee for their work and guidance through this process.
We are now digging into continued learning and improvement in order to make our work and workplace safe and productive for employees and board members of color. We need to address our work policies, the way we talk about our work in-person and on our website, and much more. We will endeavor to be transparent and communicative about this process as we work through the recommendations we have received.
We are open to feedback about this process and other parts of our work, which can be submitted anonymously if desired through our website: www.meic.org/about/contact-us/
Board President: Kathy Juedeman
Board MeMBers: Gary Aitken
Dan Belcourt
Grace Gibson-Snyder
Diana Hammer
Zuri Moreno
Jim Sayer
Roger Sullivan
Beth Taylor-Wilson
Neal Ullman
Jessie Wiles
MeiC staff: Anne Hedges
Cari Kimball
Derf Johnson
Nick Fitzmaurice
Shannon James
Peyton Olson
Katy Spence
Julie Wintersteen
2023: New Year, New Faces
Welcome to our new staff and board members! Read more about our amazing staff and board members on our website: www.meic.org/about/our-people
Nick Fitzmaurice
Energy Transition Engineer
Dan Belcourt
Board Member
Grace GibsonSnyder Board Member
Jim Sayer Board Member
Looking for a new favorite book or listen? Check out recommendations from our staff on our website: www.meic.org/staff-picks
Financial Overview
MEIC is grateful for our generous donors, who provide the lion’s share of our funding! The full details of our financial standing are available online.
The Year Ahead
From the Legislative Session to the Held trial to NorthWestern Energy’s rate case and Integrated Resource Plan to reckless hardrock mining proposals, 2023 pushed our staff to new levels and cemented why MEIC is the most effective environmental advocate in Montana.
Looking ahead, 2024 is about not only defending these victories, but building upon them to envision a better future for Montana.
Erratic and unpredictable weather and wildfire patterns demonstrate how important our work to curb dependence on fossil fuels continues to be. Montana’s reliance on coal-fired power is one of the most egregious climate woes in the region, and advocating for a just, smooth transition away from coal-fired and methane gas-fired power plants is more important than ever. In 2024, MEIC will continue to hold our state government accountable and demand thoughtful approaches and plans for our energy transition.
Legislative proposals to unleash development and accommodate a growing population are starting to get implemented. It’s clear that state and county
decision-makers need a steady voice to help them consider climate and water impacts. As developers push for fast, sprawling housing in 2024, MEIC will be there to remind them (and regulators) that water is not unlimited, more car travel is bad for the environment (and human health), and diverse housing within cities is better for our climate.
Finally, more affordable energy generation options are shining a light on realistic solutions for Montana’s energy needs. Renewables paired with energy storage can compete with fossil fuel power, often producing energy at a cheaper rate without the atmospheric consequences. One thing you may hear us talk about in 2024 is taking better advantage of Montana’s robust transmission system, which our utilities already use to buy and sell power on the market as needed. A better approach to this interconnected asset can lower power for all ratepayers, decrease pollution, and ensur reliability, even on the coldest days.
So cheers to 2024, and cheers to you – our faithful supporters. We’re grateful to spend another year advocating for this environment and all of us who depend on it.
- Anne Hedges & Cari Kimball, co-directors
P.O. Box 1184 Helena, MT 59624
