Powder River Examiner -

UM Legislative News Service

University of Montana School of Journalism

HELENA -- The state of Montana’s coal industry is in flux.

Conservationists blame the market’s move away from fossil fuels. Industry leaders blame strict regulations. Either way, the future of coal is up for debate, and a recent committee hearing in Montana’s Legislature proved that.

Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, is carrying House Bill 193, also called the Montana Climate Action Act, which would tack a $10 tax onto each ton of carbon content -- like carbon dioxide emitted from coal-fired plants. During the H...