Montana officials try to downplay landmark climate trial

Officials say victory by young plaintiffs won’t change approvals for fossil fuel projects

Officials in Montana sought to downplay an unprecedented trial over a state’s obligations to protect residents from the climate crisis, saying on Monday that a victory by the young plaintiffs in the case would not change approvals for fossil fuel projects.

Attorneys for Montana’s Republican attorney general began laying out their defense following a week of testimony that was often highly personal and evocative in state court from more than a dozen young people who sued the state in 2020.