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The state of Montana is already planning to ask for an extension on the September deadline to submit its plans on how it will cut carbon dioxide emissions to meet new federal guidelines.

The date for states to submit their Clean Power Plan compliance plans to the Environmental Protection Agency is Sept. 6, which is also the deadline to file an initial outline and request a one- or two-year extension. The EPA will issue plans for states that do not submit plans or ask for extensions.

“It is our intent that we will ask for an extension and make a case for getting an additional two years to fully develop the plan,” Tom Livers, director of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, told a legislative subcommittee Thursday. “But we have to demonstrate we have made sufficient progress to be able to get an extension.”

The Interim Clean Power Plan Advisory Committee announced by Gov. Steve Bullock two weeks ago in Colstrip will probably have its first meeting in late February, Livers said.

“Scheduling is going to be a challenge,” Livers said of the 27-member committee. He said the committee hold two to eight two-day meetings and still should have enough time to make recommendations by its July deadline. The committee dissolves July 6.