UPHE helps prompt environmental justice study for SLC’s west side
Two years ago UPHE started meeting with the EPA over our concerns about adding a major new source of pollution with the proposed inland port on the West side. With the Biden Administration’s emphasis on environmental justice, we were able to convince the EPA that they must become a participant in the tug of war over the port.
We are pleased to report that the EPA agreed to perform an environmental justice analysis that will include a baseline assessment of environmental hazards on the West side, giving lawmakers and the public an understanding of how critical it is to not allow development that will exacerbate the Westside’s exposure. While the EPA will not have decision making or veto power over projects, we are hoping that the legislature and state agencies will clearly see that the exploitation of the West side cannot continue.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported the oncoming study, writing “The capital city’s west side, which includes neighborhoods like Rose Park, Poplar Grove and Glendale, has grappled with many environmental challenges over the decades. They include interstate vehicle smog, oil refineries, rail yards, notoriously dirty switcher trains that blow diesel fumes and a growing international airport.
Pollution concerns have further been compounded with plans to build out the northwest quadrant with an inland port, along with toxic blowing dust from the ever-drying Great Salt Lake.”