Construction on a natural gas power plant near Laurel, Montana, will restart following a two-month suspension, despite ongoing environmental concerns. NorthWestern Energy confirmed the resumption after a state judge reversed his prior decision that had revoked the plant's permit due to its projected greenhouse gas emissions.

Judge Michael Moses initially canceled the permit in April, citing the state's failure to adequately assess the plant's long-term climate impact. However, he reinstated the permit late Thursday, referencing a “shifting legal landscape,” including a new state law that removes the requirement for officials to consider emissions’ climate effects. The judge also acknowledged NorthWestern’s argument that the construction delay would escalate costs for its customers.

The $250 million plant, slated to generate up to 175 megawatts of electricity, has faced opposition from environmental groups like the Montana Environmental Information Center and the Sierra Club, who initiated a lawsuit in 2021 challenging the plant's air permit.

NorthWestern Energy spokesperson, Jo Dee Black, emphasized the need for the additional capacity to ensure reliable and affordable electricity for Montana customers, particularly during peak demand periods. The plant is anticipated to be operational next year.

This decision comes amidst a global push to transition away from fossil fuels. The UN has recently urged wealthy nations to phase out coal, oil, and gas by 2040 to mitigate the escalating effects of climate change.

Local resident and opponent of the plant, Steve Krum, expressed his disappointment but not surprise at the judge's reversal, attributing it to the influence of NorthWestern Energy on state legislators. He pointed to a separate legal challenge still underway concerning the plant’s proximity to residential areas, raising concerns about potential hazardous air pollution.