The fossil fuel industry is backsliding on its climate pledges. Earthjustice is filing lawsuits to keep pushing for the clean energy transition that science demands.
The Montana Supreme Court has ruled NorthWestern Energy’s hostile approach to clean energy was a violation of the law. The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) followed NorthWestern’s lead and allowed the company to ignore a requirement for the utility to invest in Montana communities by purchasing renewable energy from small community-based projects. The penalty for this violation will provide much-needed revenue to Low-Income and Tribal Energy Assistance programs.
Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “You ought to consider the big picture of how not only individual systems, but the aggregate, are able to respond to grid needs on call, and respond to emergencies. There’s big-time value there.”
“This administration’s policies are already transforming communities across the country and helping us meet our climate goals while advancing environmental justice.”
Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “I appreciate what the legislators are trying to do here in stepping up and protecting the ratepayer and public and adding some balance to a deal that was originally stacked 100% in the utility’s favor.”
Isaac Moriwake, Managing Attorney, Mid-Pacific Office: “In my 15 years working with this Commission, this decision is the most drastic misstep I have seen — up there with slamming the curtain on net metering eight years ago, but with potentially more disastrous results.”
Earthjustice looks forward to working with the legislature to ensure New York’s final SFY2024-25 budget rises to the challenge New Yorkers face from the climate crisis and other environmental harms.