Joe Read, a Montana Republican, introduced a bill that essentially says that global warming is bunk, that any increases in temperatures are beneficial to Montana, and that reasonable amounts of CO2 released into the air have no verifiable impacts on the environment.

The relevant text:

(1) The legislature finds that to ensure economic development in Montana and the appropriate management of Montana’s natural resources it is necessary to adopt a public policy regarding global warming.

(2) The legislature finds:

(a) global warming is beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana;

(b) reasonable amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere have no verifiable impacts on the environment; and

(c) global warming is a natural occurrence and human activity has not accelerated it.

(3) (a) For the purposes of this section, “global warming” relates to an increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface.

(b) It does not include a one-time, catastrophic release of carbon dioxide.

The disappearance, or potential disappearance of glaciers in Glacier National Park, located within Montana would run counter to the idea that global warming would be beneficial to Montana’s business climate - since one of the reasons to visit the park is to view the majestic glaciers.

The bill is sitting in committee, and isn’t likely to advance.