More coal is not the direction we should be heading
Two coal mining operations that are already under fire (literally and figuratively) are in the process of gaining access to 40 million tons of coal. The process in which they’re seeking to gain access is nuanced, but essentially allows them to bypass strict environmental processes like NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act).
UPHE fights against projects that encourage fossil fuel extraction due to the climate crisis and impact on air quality. Big picture consequences aside, the sites in question pose serious concerns. They are currently managed as wilderness areas, which preserves wild space and prevents resource exploitation.
The Lila Canyon mine has struggled with an underground fire since Sept. 20 that has indefinitely shut down production. Massive amounts of water are now being used to fill the burning area of the mine. The U.S. Department of the Interior reports “Underground coal mine fires occur around the world, sending thousands of tons of soot, toxic vapors, and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to pollution of surface and groundwater, mine subsidence as the coal is consumed, and ignition of forest and structural fires.”
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Emery Mine, one of the operators seeking increased access, is in trouble because the coal it produces is hard to sell due its excessive ash content. It can’t even be used in some power plants.
Utah is also set to retire 14 of its coal-fired units by 2030 and more by 2040. One of those would be the Huntington Plant in Emery County, which is slated for closure by 2036, according to a KSL article.
Utah needs to have stricter standards for mining operations. The environmental studies and processes the federal government mandates for such operations are in place for a reason. We have a lot to lose from not thoroughly examining the effects.