MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER designed to bolster local energy code. These improvements include: increasing lighting efficiency; increasing the R-value for ceilings (which improves the insulation in homes); and requiring measures that ensure that buildings are ready to switch to electricity rather than gas for water and space heating. After three years of negotiations, the department finally adopted the 2018 IECC earlier this year. That slow and arduous process has inspired the Department of Labor to commit to adopting the codes the year they are published in the future. If you are a homeowner or renter, reach out to the Department of Labor to let them know how
much you would appreciate more energy-efficient buildings. With such rapid population growth, it’s important to strike while the iron is hot to reduce carbon emissions and save Montanans some money in the process. With up-to-date energy codes, future homeowners and first-time homebuyers will be able to confidently purchase a home in Montana knowing that their home has met current standards. Renters will also benefit from higherquality housing and reduced utility bills. We can all benefit from more energy-efficient buildings. Visit meic.org/building-codes or email cploeger@meic.org to find out how you can do more.
DEQ Reduces Colstrip Coal Ash Bond, Opens the Door to a Weaker Cleanup Plan by Anne Hedges
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efore Gov. Bullock left office, he made a belated but positive decision to require the owners of Units 1 & 2 of the Colstrip Power Plant to thoroughly clean up their coal ash mess. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) required the owners to excavate the toxic coal ash waste — which sits in the groundwater table — and move it to a safer dry location. Plant operator and one of the two owners of Units 1 & 2, Talen Montana, spent years trying to convince DEQ to allow it to leave the waste in place. DEQ eventually did the right thing; however, its delay in making a decision allowed Talen to challenge the decision under the Gianforte Administration. Talen objected to DEQ’s $285 million bond and to the cleanup plan. After months of negotiations, DEQ stuck with the existing cleanup plan, but allowed
Talen to develop a different cleanup proposal for consideration. Then DEQ reduced the bond to $163 million — a $122 million reduction. Recent financial news reports say that Talen is facing a debt load of $4 billion. If Talen declares bankruptcy, as anticipated by some financial analysts, the State of Montana may need pay to clean up the toxic mess on a shoestring budget and waste taxpayer resources in bankruptcy court. That concern, combined with DEQ allowing Talen to continue its efforts to weaken the cleanup decision, means permanent cleanup at the site remains uncertain.
Clean and Healthful, it’s Your Right, Our Mission.
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