FILE - A house sits in Rock Creek after floodwaters washed away a road and a bridge, June 15, 2022, in Red Lodge, Mont. The state's effort to overturn a landmark lower court ruling that says regulators must consider global-warming emissions when approving oil, gas and coal projects is before the Montana Supreme Court. The young plaintiffs in the case argued the state wasn't doing enough to prevent climate change that leads to weather extremes. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE - A tree goes up in flames as a wildfire burns on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Aug. 11, 2021, near Lame Deer, Mont. The state's effort to overturn a landmark lower court ruling that says regulators must consider global-warming emissions when approving oil, gas and coal projects is before the Montana Supreme Court. The young plaintiffs in the case argued the state wasn't doing enough to prevent climate change that leads to weather extremes. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
Dale Schowengerdt, representing Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and state environmental agencies, argues before the Montana Supreme Court, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Helena, Mont., in the youth climate lawsuit Held v. Montana. Attorneys for Republican officials pressed Montana's Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents' constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)
FILE - NorthWestern Energy's Yellowstone County Generating Station, a natural gas-fired power plant, is seen, February 2023, under construction near Laurel, Mont. The state's effort to overturn a landmark lower court ruling that says regulators must consider global-warming emissions when approving oil, gas and coal projects is before the Montana Supreme Court. (Larry Mayer/The Billings Gazette via AP, File)
Youth plaintiffs in the Held v. Montana climate case leave the Montana Supreme Court, Wednesday, July 10, 2o24, in Helena, Mont., after oral arguments before the state's highest court. Attorneys for Republican officials pressed Montana's Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents' constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)
Youth plaintiffs in the Held v. Montana climate case listen to testimony during oral arguments before the Montana Supreme Court, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Helena, Mont. Attorneys for Republican officials pressed Montana's Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents' constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)
FILE - Lead plaintiff Rikki Held testifies during a hearing in the climate change lawsuit, Held vs. Montana, at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, June 12, 2023, in Helena, Mont. A Montana judge in August 2023 sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. The state's effort to overturn the ruling is now before the Montana Supreme Court. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)
Roger Sullivan, attorney for the youth plaintiffs, argues before the Montana Supreme Court, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Helena, Mont., in the youth climate lawsuit Held v. Montana. Attorneys for Republican officials pressed Montana's Supreme Court on Wednesday to overturn a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents' constitutional right to a clean environment by allowing oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP)
FILE - Youth plaintiffs in the climate change lawsuit, Held vs. Montana, arrive at the Lewis and Clark County Courthouse, June 20, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for the final day of the trial. A Montana judge in August 2023 sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate. The state's effort to overturn the ruling is now before the Montana Supreme Court. (Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP, File)/Independent Record via AP)