West

Montana

Montana has rich fossil fuel and renewable energy resources, with both the largest recoverable coal reserves and some of the best utility-scale wind potential in the nation. Almost 60% of in-state electricity generation is from renewables, complemented almost entirely by coal; while production slightly declined in 2024, the state still accounts for around 5% of total U.S. coal production. Emissions decreased by 17% from 2005-2022, with reductions from the power and industry sectors and increases in every other sector.

Governor

Greg Gianforte (Republican)

House Party

Republican Majority

Senate Party

Republican Majority

Legislative session

1/6/25 - 5/2/25

Key Offices & Links

9

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 4 policy areas

See all

58

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

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West

11 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.

Glossary of Terms

The colored bars indicate the status for each policy on the Dashboard, viewed across seven policy areas.

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	Year Enacted
Enacted	Climate Action Plans Empty column Montana Climate Solutions Plan Establishing Policies Executive Order 8-2019 (2019) Montana Climate Solutions Plan (2020)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	2020
Enacted	Environmental Rights Amendments Empty column Montana's Constitution lists inalienble rights that include the right to a clean and healthful environment, and its Environment and Natural Resources article states: (1) The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations. (2) The legislature shall provide for the administration and enforcement of this duty. (3) The legislature shall provide adequate remedies for the protection of the environmental life support system from degradation and provide adequate remedies to prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources. Establishing Policies Article IX, Section 1 (1972)	Climate Governance and Equity	Climate Governance	1972
Enacted	Interconnection Standards Empty column Montana received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies Freeing the Grid Montana Grade (2023)	Electricity	Permitting and Grid Integration	2023
Enacted	Enabling ATTs and GETs Empty column Utilities can recover advanced transmission technology (ATT) costs from their rate bases or provides them incentives if ATTs are shown to create grid infrastructure cost savings. Establishing Policies HB 729 (2023)	Electricity	Permitting and Grid Integration	2023
Enacted	Coal Plant Securitization Empty column Securitization is authorized for coal plant retirement Establishing Policies HB 467 (2019)	Electricity	Coal Retirement	2019
Enacted	Residential Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for residential construction is 2021 IECC with amendments. Establishing Policies Montana State Energy Code (2022)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2022
Enacted	Commercial Energy Codes Empty column The statewide energy code for commercial building construction is 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 with amendments. Establishing Policies Montana State Energy Code (2022)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Codes	2022
Enacted	Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Empty column Montana has enacted commercial PACE-enabling legislation and has active programs. Establishing Policies SB 147 (2021)	Buildings and Efficiency	Building Efficiency	2021
Enacted	Healthy Soils Financial Incentives Empty column The Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program can fund soil health projects Establishing Policies HB 424 (2017) Renewable Resource Grants and Loans	Natural and Working Lands	Agriculture	2017

Montana

Key Offices & Links

9

58

West

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Montana

Climate Policies in Montana