Northern Cheyenne tribe fights toxic pollution from Montana's dirtiest power plant
The Northern Cheyenne tribe is raising concerns over pollution from the nearby Colstrip power plant in Montana. The facility, known as the dirtiest in the nation, emits high levels of mercury and soot, posing health risks to the community. Recent regulatory rollbacks by the Trump administration have worsened the situation, leaving residents worried about long-term effects.
Colstrip is one of over 30 US power plants burning lignite, a coal with unusually high mercury content. Until recently, many of these plants—including Colstrip—operated without basic pollution controls like flue gas scrubbers or baghouses. The Obama-era rules had cut mercury emissions by 90%, but the Trump EPA reversed these regulations, arguing that further reductions were too costly.
The tribe relies on local waterways, where mercury accumulates in fish—a key food source. Exposure to the toxin can harm brain development in children and cause lung disease, particularly affecting pregnant women and young families. Charlene Alden, the tribe's environmental director, has repeatedly warned about the health risks from unchecked pollution. Last year, Colstrip secured a waiver to bypass stricter Biden-era pollution rules. The Trump administration later eliminated those regulations entirely, citing financial burdens on plant operators. However, former EPA officials and researchers dispute this claim, stating that weaker rules directly harm nearby communities. Colstrip's two operating units still lack basic emission controls, releasing more soot than any other US power plant. The Trump EPA defended its decision by calling the Obama-era rules already effective, but critics argue the rollback allows dangerous pollution levels to persist.
The regulatory changes mean Colstrip and similar plants can now emit higher levels of mercury and soot without penalty. For the Northern Cheyenne tribe, this raises immediate concerns about contaminated food and long-term health problems. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between industrial costs and public health protections.
