You Have Until Apr. 17 to Save Montana’s Beautiful Land

BUTTE, MT - Living in the 21st century is either the best time in history to live or one of the worst, depending on who you ask. Well, if you ask me, I say it's the best since there really is nothing like the present. But this isn't a preachy self-help article. No, this is here to give you information that you may be interested in, especially if your interests lie in either climate change efforts and/or the injection of millions of tons of CO2 into the Montana earth. What if I were to tell you that going on right now is a combination of both, drawing criticism and backlash from local Montana communities? And that there's something you can do about it?

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In a recent article published by our friends over at the Montana Free Press, they have reported that—long story short—for at least the past 6 months, ExxonMobil, oil and gas conglomerate, has been shopping around southeastern Montana (working with the Bureau of Land Management) for a place to set up shop for their new Snowy River project. What is the Snowy River project? In layman's terms: it is a proposed project based in Carter County, Montana, pitched as a climate change combatant, yet involves injecting millions of tons of CO2 emissions underground into some preexisting pipelines. Opponents of the project stipulate concerns over the net benefit from the project, determining that ExxonMobil will probably still make a profit from the project, even if they fail to meet the project's eco goals. Plus, BLM allegedly stands to make some cash off the project as well by leasing the land, amongst other project-related revenues.

Why would ExxonMobil do such a thing? You know, besides the additional revenue. Apparently, some have noted that CO2 is utilized by these oil conglomerates in oil extraction, as the CO2-injected oil wells produce more oil. Ahh, that makes sense. Profit and profit.

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So, what can you do about it? Unfortunately, the public meetings to address the project have come and gone, but there is still a place for you to submit comments to the BLM and have your voice heard. If you click here and go to the BLM project website, then click "Participate Now", you will see a place for you to submit your comment, whether it's in favor or against the project. The submissions are being taken up until the 17th of April, 2024, so make sure to get moving if you want to help make a difference.

Remember, public outcry and community involvement have halted many proposed projects here in Montana throughout the years, including the recent backlash against the Black Ram Project in the Yaak Valley. You have a voice, make it heard.