HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-24 Correspondence - 18th Judicial District Gallatin County - 26th Anniversary Law Day Celebration MONTANA EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
GALLATIN COUNTY
Hon. Peter B. Ohman Hon. Rienne H. McElyea Hon. John C. Brown Hon. Andrew J. Brenner
Department 1 Department 2 Department 3 Department 4
Iwo
1
f:i P O
26t" Anniversary Law Day Celebration
Monday, April 22, 2024 10:00 a.m. to Noon
MSU Strand Union Building, Ballroom A
On Monday, April 22, the Montana Supreme Court will once again hear oral arguments in
f
Ballroom A of the MSU Strand Union Building as part of our Law Day Celebration.
A faculty designee of the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana will
provide an introduction of the case at 10:00 AM with oral argument concluded by 11:45 AM.
The Supreme Court will hearing the case of MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
CENTER and SIERRA CLUB v. MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
and NORTHWESTERN CORPORATION and STATE OF MONTANA.
The case involves a challenge to a permit issued by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) which allowed Northwestern Corporation to construct a new
power plant. The Environmental Groups alleged that DEQ failed to take a "hard look" at
lighting and greenhouse gas emissions and corresponding impacts to the climate in Montana.
On appeal, Northwestern argues the court erred because DEQ was not required to analyze the
effect of greenhouse gas emissions, and DEQ sufficiently analyzed the lighting issue.
The Environmental Groups argue the court should have concluded that DEQ also failed to
adequately evaluate noise impacts and to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in
general. They argue that if amendments to Montana Environmental Policy Act no longer allow
evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions, then those amendments are unconstitutional.
Case information can be found at: https://courts.mt.gov/Courts/Supreme/Oral Arguments/
Following the oral argument, the Gallatin County Bar Association will host the 26th Annual Law
Day luncheon and social networking event at MSU's Inspiration Hall (2nd Floor of Norm
Asbjornson Hall) with the Justices of the Supreme Court.
Please RSVP for yourself and your guests by going to https://Iawday2O24.bpt.me The price of
the lunch is $25.00 per person, plus a small registration fee. Same day registration and payment
will be accepted at the door.