Montana Supreme Court Rejects Suit Intended To Force State Regulation Of Emissions

[hatrack]

BILLINGS - The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a petition filed by attorneys seeking state regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Siding with Attorney General Steve Bullock, justices wrote in their order that the case raised too many questions about Montana's contribution to a global problem. "The court is ill-equipped to resolve the factual assertions presented by the petitioners," justices wrote.

The plaintiffs had attempted to cast the case as solely a legal matter, with the state bound and willing to put in emission limits but unable to do so because of resistance from the Legislature. Justices also rejected the plaintiffs' claim that the matter was too urgent to wait for action by a lower court that could then be subject to a lengthy appeal.

The petition filed in May was part of a new legal strategy by activists trying to force government intervention on climate change. They want the atmosphere designated as a public trust deserving special protection. Similar lawsuits and regulatory petitions were filed last month by attorneys representing youths nationwide.

EDIT

http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_71d31f0a-9790-11e0-b00e-001cc4c002e0.html