Montana power plants lose their free pass for pollution during breakdowns

US environmental regulators removed a rule that let four Montana power plants exceed sulfur dioxide emission limits during malfunctions. This means the plants will now face penalties for pollution during these events, just like during normal operations.

For years, industrial facilities could pollute more during equipment breakdowns or startups without penalty. This specific change means that for these four plants, that loophole is closed. It shifts the cost of unexpected emissions from the public to the plant operators, who will now have a stronger incentive to prevent malfunctions or invest in better controls.