Montana Public Service Commission (via PSC Twitter account).

In a decision that drew immediate pushback, the Montana Public Service Commission voted unanimously Tuesday against declaring the constitution requires it to consider the adverse impacts of climate change in its work.

The PSC also disagreed it must consider climate in a set of statutes outlined in a petition filed in February 2024 by more than 40 Montana businesses and organizations.

For one thing, the order said making such a declaration would exceed the authority of the Public Service Commission. It said the PSC exercises powers granted by the Montana Legislature, and it is “an administrative agency.”

“It is well established that the Montana Constitution does not allow administrative agencies to issue declarations interpret

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