Prioritizing Clean Energy but Investing Our Money in Coal?
The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) has raised major concerns and protests, backed and researched by UPHE and our partners at the Stop the Polluting Port Coalition since its 2018 inception. We could tell then that it would increase pollution in Salt Lake City, and use taxpayer money in ways that weren’t in the best interest of the residents.
What we didn’t realize then, was that the Inland Port wanted not just Salt Lake City’s tax money for their polluting projects, but money from residents all across the state. They now have 14 project areas, spanning from Box Elder County all the way down to Iron and San Juan Counties.
Some of these taxpayer funded projects now risk becoming mining and fossil fuel operations. Because that industry isn’t making enough money on its own, right? This direction of the Port Authority contradicts a promise from Governor Cox to focus on cleaner energy.
UIPA has incorporated the reopening of the Fossil Rock coal mine in Carbon and Emery Counties into its Castle Country project area, acknowledging that while no funding has been approved yet, “there may come a time where it does,” thereby formally positioning the port to support coal mining and, potentially, other fossil fuel infrastructure.
Hunter and Huntington coal fired power plants in central Utah are set to close by 2045, only recently being pushed back from 2032 due to Trump administration weakening standards.
It’s deeply troubling that taxpayer-backed entities like UIPA are investing public dollars into fossil fuel ventures, particularly coal, at a time when states, businesses, and global communities are aiming to phase out such industries. Rather than support a dying industry which is also contributing to air pollution, climate change, and numerous health issues, this “forward thinking” quasi-governmental entity should look for solutions Utahns need.