Montana Public Asked to Comment on Climate Change Study, Draft Bills

The Environmental Quality Council (EQC) of the Montana Legislature is seeking public comment by Aug. 22 on a draft report and a dozen draft bills related to climate change.

The EQC has been studying the topic of climate change for the past year, including a look at how other states are addressing the issue. Members also have reviewed a report released in late 2007 by the governor’s Montana Climate Change Advisory Committee.

EQC members have narrowed their focus to such topics as:

* Recycling;

* Promoting the use of raw materials from Montana in the production of manufactured items;

* Enhancing mass transit and ensuring adequate transportation planning;

* Providing more weatherization and energy-efficiency opportunities for low-income and rental housing;

* Expanding biomass opportunities; and

* Reviewing requirements that new state buildings exceed current building codes or standards.

Public comments will be compiled and presented to the EQC at a meeting Sept. 8-9 in Helena. At that time, the council will consider revisions to the report and draft legislation and decide whether to introduce any climate change bills during the 2009 session.

The full report, "Climate Change: An Analysis of Climate Change Policy Issues in Montana," is available online at: http://www.leg.mt.gov/eqc. The council’s web page includes all the information it has reviewed over the past year.

Copies of the draft report and legislation also may be obtained by calling the Legislative Environmental Policy Office at (406) 444-3747.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected]. Please put "climate change" in the subject line. To submit comments by mail, send to: Sonja Nowakowski, Legislative Environmental Policy Office, P.O. Box 201704, Helena, MT 59620-1704.