75-20-102. Policy and legislative findings. (1) It is the constitutionally declared policy of this state to maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations, to protect the environmental life-support system from degradation and prevent unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources, and to provide for administration and enforcement to attain these objectives.
     (2) The legislature finds that the construction of additional power or energy conversion facilities may be necessary to meet the increasing need for electricity, energy, and other products and that these facilities have an effect on the environment, an impact on population concentration, and an effect on the welfare of the citizens of this state. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the location, construction, and operation of power and energy conversion facilities will produce minimal adverse effects on the environment and upon the citizens of this state by providing that a power or energy conversion facility may not be constructed or operated within this state without a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need acquired pursuant to this chapter.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 327, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 494, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 70-802.