Tell Utah to protect its residents, so the federal government doesn’t have to 

In a recent editorial, The Salt Lake Tribune highlighted the ongoing struggle between Utah’s state officials and the federal government over environmental protection. Despite state officials’ frequent claims that they can better manage Utah’s environment without federal intervention, the evidence suggests otherwise.

A glaring example is Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon Mine, one of the nation’s top polluters, contributing significantly to Utah’s hazardous air and water pollution. Despite its economic importance, the mine remains a major source of toxic emissions, placing Utah fourth in the nation for hazardous materials exposure, despite being 30th in population. “A supposedly acceptable level of lead combined with an acceptable level of mercury combined with an acceptable level of cadmium is not acceptable. Not that it ever was,” UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench told the Tribune in a recent article on the revelation. 

“If our state officials, executive and legislative, were as vigilant and energetic about actually cleaning up our air and water as they are about waving the bloody flag of “federal overreach,” we might see some significant improvement in these areas.

Utah might see itself as more collaborative than confrontational, working with Kennecott and other industrial polluters to clean up their act. Bingham Canyon is cleaner than it used to be, and it does produce copper and other metals our economy needs.

But without a credible threat of investigation, enforcement and some really massive fines, there is no reason to expect things to get any better,” The editorial states. 

The Tribune editorial echoes a long standing stance of UPHE, that state officials should focus less on opposing federal oversight and more on taking meaningful action to clean up our environment. Without stringent state enforcement and substantial penalties for polluters, improvements in air and water quality are unlikely.

The editorial concludes that if Utah wants to claim it can handle these responsibilities independently, it must demonstrate a commitment and capability to do so. To date, state efforts have fallen short.

This call for accountability comes at a crucial time, especially in light of a recent ruling that lawmakers have been ignoring ballot initiatives supported by the public. This disregard for voters’ voices underscores the importance of holding our elected officials accountable.

A Tribune article on the ruling writes, “In order for SB200 to survive, attorneys for the Legislature will have to show that the law can pass a “strict scrutiny” standard — meaning the state will have to show there is a compelling reason to pass the law and that it was done in the narrowest way possible.

If the state can’t clear that bar, “the act enacted by Proposition 4 would become controlling law,” Petersen wrote. “And under Proposition 4, if the facts alleged by plaintiffs are proven true, it is likely that the Congressional Map cannot stand.”

Remind your representatives that their reelection depends on their commitment to protecting our health and environment. Demand that they take decisive action to improve air quality and ensure a healthier future for all Utahns.

Find your state representatives contact information here.