H.B. 971 is a direct challenge to a ruling by Judge Moses in Billings, who canceled the construction of a natural gas plant citing concern over the greenhouse gases that would be emitted over the many years of its operation. His ruling requires Montana's Department of Environmental Quality to conduct lengthy environmental impact statements, stalling this development, thousands of jobs, and depriving Montana and its neighbors of reliable and affordable energy.
This bill prevents judges from shutting down energy projects. It's time to stop judicial branch overreach and put the legislative branch back in charge of making laws.