Environmental appeal bills expected in Senate

HELENA (AP) - Two bills intended to make the state's environmental appeals process easier for industrial developers are expected to make it to the Senate floor this week after undergoing a number of changes in committee.

Rep. Alan Olson, R-Roundup, who is sponsoring one of the measures, said the recent changes to his House Bill 437 were made to address concerns raised by opponents while still helping industry avoid costly delays in projects whose permits are challenged.

''I think people need the right to comment (on project permits), but sometimes it just seems like there are certain organizat...