Trump to axe power plant emission rules saving Colstrip
The Trump administration announced Wednesday it plans to repeal “all ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions standards for the power sector” as well as Air Toxins Standards “that directly result in coal-fired power plants having to shut down.” Electric utilities have cited the regulations for retiring coal power plants potentially including Colstrip. The J.E. Corette coal-fired power plant in Billings permanently shut down in August 2015 because of the high cost of complying with the pollution standards for mercury and air toxics.
Montana to Reopen Section 8 Voucher Waiting List on July 1, Encouraging Applications
The Montana Department of Commerce is reopening its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list on July 1, beginning at 8 a.m. Low-income persons and households are encouraged to apply for this federal rental assistance program at commerce.mt.gov. Applicants can choose only one of the ten regional waiting lists, with wait times varying by demand.
Utah Republican proposes sale of more than 2 million acres of US lands Montana Senator Steve Daines says NO
A proposed budget plan by Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee suggests selling or transferring over 2 million acres of federal lands to states or other entities, aiming to repurpose isolated parcels for housing or infrastructure. The proposal follows a similar failed attempt in the House. In response, Montana Senator Steve Daines said that he opposes public land sales, while conservation groups criticize the plan, warning it could lead to rapid privatization and development of valued lands.
‘A ton of confusion’: Farmers market SNAP programs push forward amid uncertainty
Ongoing discussions in the U.S. Senate about spending on food assistance programs as part of the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” might affect Montana’s “Double SNAP Dollar program negatively. It allows those qualifying for food assistance to stretch their benefits further by offering double credit at 51 different locations statewide benefiting not only farmers markets but some farm stands and Community Supported Agriculture programs around Montana.
Montana fisheries managers warn hoot-owl restrictions could be weeks away
State fisheries officials said Wednesday they might have to start putting hoot-owl fishing restrictions in place soon on parts of several rivers across Montana because current flows and water temperatures are already where they would sit in mid-July and some rivers are already seeing historically low flows. After another week of warm dry weather water levels are plummeting even in areas that got a normal snowpack this winter and spring.
Montana fuels 6,500 new business registrations in May 2025
Roughly 6,500 new businesses registered with the Secretary of State’s Office in May. Montana has experienced record new business registrations annually with nearly 64,000 new businesses filing in 2024. The state is on pace to break that record again this year with more than 30,000 filed in just the first five months.
Audit report suggests changing wildfire protection fee structure
According to a new report from the Legislative Audit Division landowners in Montana are not paying their fair share of wildfire costs to the tune of at least $30 million. Fees are assessed to some property owners in high-risk fire areas but the report noted the state gives an “estimated annual subsidy of over $30 million” to private landowners. The report suggested some fixes including shifting the burden of wildland fire protection to those who live in the most dangerous areas.
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A Montana district court has granted the Department of Environmental Quality’s motion to dismiss Upper Missouri Waterkeeper’s legal challenge to designate the Big Hole River as impaired due to nutrient pollution. As a result the show cause hearing scheduled for today in Helena has been canceled.
Country music legend Shania Twain and the Shania Twain Foundation are donating $25,000 to the Montana Food Bank Network to provide meals for 100,000 people across the state. They are donating to local food banks at every stop on her tour and she will perform at Washington Grizzly Stadium in Missoula July 2nd.
The Montana Historical Society is working to raise $1 million by July 30th to finish the $60 million Montana Heritage Center in Helena. The 66,000 square feet of new space will add more room to the existing building and extensively remodel the current structure.
The U.S. Forest Service has asked the roughly 1,400 employees it pressured to retire early despite their qualifications to help fight wildfires to please come back. Fire experts both in Montana and around the country have been raising alarms for months about the potential impacts of the Trump administration’s staff cuts on wildfire preparedness.
Just before a recently passed law puts a pause on new marijuana operations in Montana one business owner received conditional approval to create a hub of operation. This week the Great Falls Planning Advisory Board and Zoning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Flower a company based in Missoula County to bring a cannabis cultivation operation to a westside industrial corridor in Great Falls.
