The judge sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies violated their right to a clean and healthy environment
District Court Judge Kathy Seeley found the policy the state uses in evaluating requests for fossil fuel permits — which does not allow agencies to evaluate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions — is unconstitutional.
Judge Seeley wrote in the ruling that “Montana’s emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana’s environment and harm and injury” to the youth. However, it's up to the state Legislature to determine how to bring the policy into compliance. That leaves slim chances for immediate change in a fossil fuel-friendly state where Republicans dominate the statehouse.
Attorneys for the 16 plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, presented evidence during the two-week trial in June that increasing carbon dioxide emissions are driving hotter temperatures, more drought and wildfires and decreased snowpack. Those changes are harming the young people's physical and mental health, according to experts brought in by the plaintiffs.
The state argued that even if Montana completely stopped producing C02, it would have no effect on a global scale because states and countries around the world contribute to the amount of C02 in the atmosphere.More Must-Reads From TIME
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også læse nyheder, der ligner denne, som vi har indsamlet fra andre nyhedskilder.
Legal experts question judge's order telling Southwest lawyers to get religious-liberty trainingThe judge blames the lawyers for Southwest defying a previous order he issued in a case involving a flight attendant who said she was fired for expressing opposition to abortion.
Læs mere »
Judge denies HP's request to dismiss printer lockdown suiitAiO devices won't scan or fax without ink, and plaintiffs say IT giant illegally withheld that info from buyers
Læs mere »
Judge OKs release of NH woman in day care child sex image caseA woman accused of taking child sex images at a Massachusetts day care where she worked and sending them to her former partner has been released from federal custody on several conditions. Lindsay Groves was given permission to await trial at her parents’ home in Hudson, New Hampshire, Chief Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell wrote in a decision Friday. Groves is…
Læs mere »
Trump rages at 'deranged, lowlife' investigators despite judge warning on witness intimidationIt is the judiciary that is now being challenged, as prosecutors seek charges over Donald Trump’s actions during his time in office, and the former president lashes out at the legal system 🔎 Analysis by LeoCendro
Læs mere »
Gameshow contestant who went viral gets life in prison for murdering wifeA man who joked about his marriage to his wife on the US gameshow Family Feud has been sentenced to life in prison for her murder.
Læs mere »
Full statement as Chief Constable issues update on PSNI data breachMr Byrne said this evening that he believed dissidents would use the information to intimidate and target police Here's what he said in full.
Læs mere »