Montana Officials Rally For Coal Energy In Treasure State

Montana leaders say the repeal of federal power plant emission standards will help preserve coal-fired energy and avoid major costs for consumers, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rolls back 2024 updates to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

Gov. Greg Gianforte said the previous rule threatened the future of the Colstrip power plant, one of the largest coal-fired facilities in the West, and could have raised electricity costs statewide. He previously warned the regulation might cost Montana ratepayers about $1.1 billion over two decades if implemented.

The EPA announced the repeal while outlining a broader effort to reduce regulations on coal- and oil-fired power plants. The agency said it will revert to the original 2012 standards, which it argues already provide strong public health protections while allowing plants to operate more affordably.

Montana officials have long argued coal remains critical to maintaining reliable “baseload” power, especially during periods of high demand and extreme weather. Colstrip supplies electricity to multiple states and supports jobs tied to mining and power generation.

Federal officials estimate the rollback could save about $670 million nationwide by eliminating updated emissions requirements and monitoring rules. Supporters say those savings could translate into lower utility and energy costs for consumers.

The 2024 rule had tightened limits on mercury and other hazardous air pollutants and required additional emissions monitoring. EPA officials said those changes imposed significant costs on utilities without providing enough additional environmental benefit beyond the existing standards.

Since the original MATS rule took effect in 2012, mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants have dropped sharply, along with other pollutants such as acid gases and toxic metals, according to the agency.

Montana leaders say the repeal gives utilities more certainty and helps keep plants like Colstrip operating longer, while critics nationwide have argued loosening standards could weaken pollution controls.

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The EPA said it will continue enforcing existing emissions limits as part of its broader energy policy, which aims to balance affordability, reliability and environmental protections.