The Feds are boosting the coal industry

The Trump Administration has been busy finding ways to sabotage any clean air, climate, or public health advancements responsible Americans have been working so hard towards. In line with their recent roll backs of dozens of regulatory protections on air and water pollutants (e.g. rules on carbon dioxide, mercury, wastewater), they are trying to subsidize and ease the past for the destructive and declining coal industry. 

They’ve announced they’re opening 13.1 million acres of federal land for coal leasing, significantly enlarging the footprint for mining operations. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that this national push has real local consequences, some of the packages of coal leases lie immediately next to or visible from iconic national parks and monuments, including Zion and Bryce National Parks. These areas already struggle with haze from central Utah coal powered power plants. 

Coal burning is among the most polluting sources of air emissions. It releases high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, heavy metals (like mercury), and other hazardous air pollutants. These are strongly linked to respiratory disease (asthma, COPD), cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes), neurological harm, and adverse birth outcomes (e.g. low birth weight, preterm birth). The rollback of emissions standards will likely increase these exposures, disproportionately harming children, the elderly, people with chronic health conditions, and marginalized communities already burdened by pollution.

More greenhouse gases also exacerbate heat waves, droughts, wildfire incidence, and extreme storms. Public health emergencies tied to climate impacts (heat stress, water scarcity, infectious disease) will grow more frequent and severe.

UPHE will be working hard to reduce exposures to protect our community and the health of everyone throughout the state. 

New York Times article.
Salt Lake Tribune article on local impact of coal leases.