The mission of MontPIRG’s energy program is to promote energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy resources, to provide consumers with fair and affordable access to power, and to reduce harmful emissions from power plants and other energy polluters.

Energy is what moves us around and gives us the power to heat and light our homes and businesses.  In its simplest forms, creating energy is using some physical or chemical process to achieve one of these goals.

Unfortunately we are too reliant on dirty, unsustainable, and unreliable sources of energy.  More than ninety percent of the energy production in the U.S. relies on dirty energy such as coal, oil, nuclear, and natural gas–forms of energy that produces unwanted and even deadly byproducts.

Montana deserves a smarter, cleaner energy future.  The combination of MontPIRG's state-level and national work offer useful information and effective solutions for increasing energy efficiency and production of clean renewable energy in Montana and across the nation.

National Energy
Montanans are not the only ones concerned about their energy future.  Across the country people are debating the future of our nation’s energy policy.  MontPIRG is working with other state PIRGs in Washington DC to support national solutions that increase energy efficiency and production of clean, renewable energy.  Visit our National Energy page to learn more!

State Energy
Prior to deregulation, Montana had some of the cheapest, most reliable energy in the country.  Since its passage, energy prices across the west have skyrocketed, Montana Power Company sold its generators to out-of-state interests and Montana has lost control of its low-cost energy resources.  As a result, hundreds of workers have been laid off, schools and hospitals are facing soaring power prices, and consumers face a dramatic increase in their power bills.    
    Disappointed with the lack of leadership to promote affordable and clean solutions to the deregulation debacle, MontPIRG is working with a coalition of low-income, labor, senior, farm, and conservation groups regain control of Montana’s energy future.  Visit our State Energy page to learn more!

Buy Back the Dams!
Montana must act to regain control of its native low cost power and put our natural resources to work for the people of Montana. The state Constitution says that Montana’s waters are to be used for the benefit of Montana citizens.  The electricity our waters produce should stay in Montana. This summer, MontPIRG will work to qualify and pass a citizen initiative to acquire Montana’s hydroelectric dams and dedicate the electricity they produce to small customers.  Visit our Buy Back the Dams page to learn more!

Clean Air
Air pollution in the U.S. is still bad enough to trigger millions of asthma attacks and send hundreds of thousands of kids and senior citizens to hospital emergency rooms each year.

Yet, instead of taking tough action against air pollution, President Bush has responded with an industry-friendly plan that actually allows more pollution into our skies.

We need a different plan, one that protects our health now and for the future.  Visit our Clean Air page to learn more!