Utah teens take the state to court

For decades, Utah state policy-makers have intentionally prioritized and subsidized the fossil fuel industry to the detriment of current and future generations. Earlier this year, a team of seven young Utahns said “enough” and filed a lawsuit for climate justice and breathable air.  Their lawsuit, Natalie R. v. The State of Utah got its first court hearing last Friday in Salt Lake City.

The lawsuit argues that Utah government officials’ preferential treatment of coal, oil, and gas development actively contributes to Utah’s hazardous air quality and climate crisis impacts, harming the young plaintiffs and violating their state constitutional rights to life, health, and safety.  And reminiscent of the tobacco industry’s historical denial of health impacts from smoking, Natalie R. v. State of Utah claims that state policy-makers have long known of the dangers from fossil fuels, but failed to act in the interests of Utah’s children.

Defendants, including the Governor’s Office of Energy Development and the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining, want this lawsuit to go away. They have filed a Motion to Dismiss, which Natalie et al have countered. Last Friday, the court heard arguments for and against letting this case proceed to trial and has promised a decision soon. 

Fox 13 reported on the hearing, quoting the teens legal representation, Andrew Welle, “Air pollution and greenhouse gas levels in Utah are already at critically dangerous levels that are taking years off the lives of these youth and substantially endangering their health and safety, and continuing fossil fuel development only increases the dangers. In the emergency in which these youth find themselves, any reduction in emissions reduces the worsening of their injuries and it reduces the increasing risk of future harm to them.”

UPHE enthusiastically supports this lawsuit. Thanks to all who attended the rally in solidarity with these youth fighting for a better future.