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<p>The EPA is proposing <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.regulations.gov%2Fdocument%2FEPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0072-0001&data=05%7C01%7C%7C80724e7eea5448a36b3d08db87b6b59f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638252991314915392%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3iO%2FUtHRSbbrrpTy7KyLqliFpXNshwMZqDSURnxuQUE%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new regulations to strongly curtail carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants</a>.
The agency is accepting citizen comments until August 8, and it's easy to comment. <br></p>
<p><b><u>Take action and tell the EPA to support these new power plant
standards that will combat climate change, improve public health, and
protect our environment.</u></b></p>If adopted,
NorthWestern Energy and Colstrip’s other owners must choose one of four
options:
<p>• Ignore the EPA and keep operating Colstrip 3 and 4 – pouring out 10
million tons of CO2 a year – until the EPA closes them down on January
1, 2032,<br>• Build carbon capture and sequestration equipment to capture 90 percent of carbon emissions by 2035,<br>• Build “co-generating” technology that blends 60 percent coal with 40 percent natural gas and close between 2038 and 2040, or<br>• Cut production of electricity to 20 percent of full capacity and close by 2035.</p>
<p>The EPA’s argument is straight-forward. Fossil fuel electrical
generators are the largest source of greenhouse gases. Global warming is
causing life-threatening environmental and human health impacts. We
have reasonably priced, proven technologies available to curtail the
pollution heating up the planet. Finally, we just passed the Inflation
Reduction Act, which provides $21.5 billion for the “development,
demonstration, and deployment of clean energy technologies.”</p>
<p><strong>There is nothing more important you can do right now to fight climate change.</strong> There's a guide to commenting and a sample letter at <a href="http://www.350montana.com">www.350montana.com</a><br></p><p>Thanks for your activism.</p><p>Jeff Smith, co-chair, 350 Montana<br></p>
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