UPHE and STPP ADVOCATES SPEAK OUT AT PRESS CONFERENCE

UPHE and Stop the Polluting Port Coalition (STPP) held a press conference on June 10 to demand that the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) NOT waste taxpayer dollars for construction of a new transloading facility. UIPA recently announced its intention to build a new facility to move shipping containers between rail and trucks, using taxpayer money to increase the profits of giant corporate land holders, such as Rio Tinto and Colmena Group.

According to a recent UIPA news release, this transloading facility is also part of a deal UIPA is striking with the Port of Oakland. Yesterday we learned that UIPA has a similar deal in place with the Port of Long Beach. However, no details were provided about cost, scale of operations and cargo.

In March UIPA intended to vote on a budget amendment to start funding a transloading facility, but due to the budget hearing required by law, they withdrew the issue. They will revisit this budget amendment at today’s meeting.

In addition, STPP has been circulating a sign-on letter to James Rogers, Chair of the UIPA Board, demanding that no action be taken to fund the transloading facility, and that the public be given complete information with a 60-day public comment period before any future action. To date, over 800 people have signed. Please Sign On Here.

Media coverage:
Fox 13
Salt Lake Tribune