MEIC advocates for clean air, clean water and a healthy climate through campaigns focused on hardrock mining, water and air quality, energy, and land use issues. Recent federal re-investment into coal extraction shines a light on Montana's coal industry, which is positioned on the largest coal reserves in the U.S. (25% of the country's total and 7% of the world's reserves). Extracting and burning coal has significant consequences for both our global climate and for nearby communities. MEIC takes a full life-cycle approach to fighting fossil fuel development in Montana, from challenging extraction and pipeline proposals to preventing combustion for power generation to advocating for clean energy deployment and greater efficiency measures.

Working with partners across the region, MEIC lobbies the Montana legislature, works with administrative agencies, educates the public, informs the media, and, when all else fails, goes to court to seek justice. Through grassroots organizing, we work to get and keep good laws on the books. Through strategic litigation, we help ensure that those laws are enforced. With each of our campaigns, we consider the broader implications for the movement.