Noah Rott, Deputy Press Secretary, noah.rott@sierraclub.org
Helena, MT - Today the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of youth plaintiffs who sued the state over violating their constitutional right to a "clean and healthful environment." The decision upholds a 2023 landmark ruling that nullified two laws, which favored expensive fossil fuel projects and aimed to avoid environmental reviews.
Montana appealed that decision, but in a 6-1 ruling the court sided with the constitutional protection. Justices acknowledged the major impacts the climate crisis poses to Montanans and their future and dismissed the defendants' faulty logic. Our Children's Trust represented the plaintiffs.
Montana Chapter Director Caryn Miske released the following statement:
"We couldn't be more proud of the youth plaintiffs and Montana's critical constitutional protections. Montanans are sick of climate denialism and high energy prices and want state leaders to protect our environment instead of selling out our future to short-sighted corporate interests. As we face intersecting crises of housing affordability, extreme weather, severe forest fires and droughts, thousands of people are stepping up, organizing and pushing for more affordable, clean energy and protection for shared lands and wildlife."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.