Click for the latest from The Hill{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story  Montana Supreme Court upholds youth climate activists’ victory Montana’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a 2023 ruling siding with young climate activists who asserted the state government violated their right to a healthy environment.© Thom Bridge/Independent Record via AP In August 2023, Montana’s First Judicial District sided with the 16 plaintiffs, who cited a state constitutional provision guaranteeing “a clean and healthful environment” to argue the state violated that right with a law that barred weighing climate impacts during the approval process for energy projects.  The state supreme court upheld the finding in a 6-1 ruling Wednesday, writing, “Montana’s right to a clean and healthful environment and environmental life support system includes a stable climate system, which is clearly within the object and true principles of the Framers inclusion of the right to a clean and healthful environment.” Justice Jim Rice, who was appointed by former Gov. Judy Martz (R), was the only dissent.  The court rejected an argument from Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen (R) that state-level efforts will have no effect without action from the rest of the world, comparing that argument to “the old ad populum fallacy: ‘If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?’”  The plaintiffs’ attorney, Melissa Hornbein of the Western Environmental Law Center, hailed the decision as “a monumental moment” for young people and the state.  “This ruling clarifies that the Constitution sets a clear directive for Montana to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, which are among the highest in the nation on a per capita basis, and to transition to a clean, renewable energy future,” she said.  Read more at TheHill.com.  Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I'm Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.   Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:  Officials declare victory over ‘murder hornets’ State and federal officials declared victory over northern giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” in a Thursday press release from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).  Full Story   Scientists find ‘forever chemicals’ lurking in certain smartwatch wristbands Certain pricier styles of smartwatch wristband may not just be helping Americans stay fit — they may be exposing unsuspecting wearers to a hefty dose of “forever chemicals,” a new study has found.  Full Story   Hawley blasts exclusion of RECA expansion from government funding bill Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) blasted the exclusion of an agreement to reauthorize the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) from a 1,500-page bill to fund the federal government, blaming Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for its exclusion.  Full Story   In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Biden administration grants California waiver to ban gas car sales in 2035 The Biden administration on Wednesday approved California’s trailblazing rules that would set stricter-than-federal emissions standards, in a bid to ban gas car sales by 2035. Full Story   What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Insurers Are Deserting Homeowners as Climate Shocks Worsen (The New York Times)  Pollution exposure linked to mental health hospital admissions, says study (The Guardian) Coal use keeps setting new world records (Axios)  What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Johnson considers plan B amid Trump World opposition to spending deal Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is looking at a plan B to fund the government ahead of Friday’s shutdown deadline as Republicans inside and outside the Capitol, including President-elect Trump and his allies, slam his spending package. Read more Social Security bill clears first hurdle in Senate  The Senate is plowing forward with consideration of the Social Security Fairness Act, clearing its first procedural hurdle on what supporters hope is a path to passage later this week. Read more  You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Energy and Environment newsletter Subscribe