Communities are protesting the threat of mining expansion
While tribal members from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe protested uranium mining near their White Mesa community, certain Utah lawmakers were cheerleading nuclear energy as a climate solution.
While nuclear energy does produce lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels, it also creates nuclear waste, which is hazardous for thousands of years, creates a risk for catastrophic environmental and human health disasters, like Chernobyl, and requires uranium mining, which can destroy ecosystems, contaminate water supplies and expose workers and surrounding communities to harmful radiation.
The Ute Mountain Ute tribe cited many of those concerns, highlighting the environmental and health dangers tied to nuclear energy production.
Expanding mining in Utah, particularly for uranium and other critical minerals, poses serious threats to public health and the environment. Mining operations tend to emit toxic pollutants and exacerbate respiratory issues, which disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.
As we face escalating climate challenges, we must focus on sustainable energy solutions that don’t sacrifice public health or further harm our planet. Nuclear plants are expensive and take years to build, which can delay their contribution to reducing emissions. During this time, reliance on fossil fuels may continue or increase.
Rather than increasing mining, which creates long-term environmental damage, Utah should invest in cleaner energy options that protect both our natural resources and our well-being. Continuing to prioritize extractive industries over public health risks undermines efforts to combat climate change and improve air quality across the state.
The following list represents some of the policy goals that UPHE would like to see implemented.
- All new electric energy supplies for the state of Utah should come from renewable resources
- State-of-the-art controls on existing plants
- Public subsidies for mass transit, free ridership, and expanded service
- Attainment of 25% renewable energy sources by the year 2030
- Medical expertise provided to organizations working on urban planning, renewable power, increasing fuel efficiencies, and transportation alternatives