Worst dust in a decade
May 17th, 2022
What might seem a dystopian nightmare for some is becoming a regular reality for Utahns. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality issued a warning a few weeks ago cautioning against
Read More
“An unacceptable risk” – Mosquito pesticide spraying in Utah
May 17th, 2022
We’ve been talking about the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District’s (SLCMAD) use of pesticides for years. Recently, we had an intern start looking into pesticide use across the entire
Read More
New Port Board, same problems
May 13th, 2022
Last legislative session, the Utah legislature voted to remove Salt Lake City’s representation from the Board of the Utah Inland Port Authority. They had their first meeting with the new
Read More
Where will the water come from?
May 11th, 2022
How will the Utah Inland Port affect Utah’s water crisis? It will only make it worse. The Utah Legislature changed the makeup of the Utah Inland Port Authority Board during
Read More
Air pollution and mental health
May 10th, 2022
Mental Health Awareness Month – another reason to support clean air Click here for more information from the American Psychological Association.
Dust, fire, and your health
May 10th, 2022
The ongoing drought is increasing the risk of two extremely hazardous types of pollution- dust, and smoke. Last weekend’s dust storm gave the Wasatch Front a small taste of what’s
Read More
The Utah Department of Air Quality is looking for your help
May 10th, 2022
Dr. Moench was on KPCW’s “This Green Earth” recently speaking on the “disturbing saga” of the Utah DAQ’s recent request to the EPA to exempt Utah from national ozone standards.
Read More
Help protect yourself and your community on bad air days
May 3rd, 2022
Here are a few quick reminders of ways to keep emissions down and help promote clean air. Don’t drive! Staying local on bad air days, and in general, helps cut
Read More
It’s Utah’s job to clean up the air
May 3rd, 2022
An excellent in-house editorial from the Salt Lake Tribune last week explains why it’s Utah’s job to clean up the air, regardless of where pollution is coming from. Utah recently
Read More
How coal plants are contributing to the drought
May 3rd, 2022
“Power production from coal and natural gas needs large amounts of water to create the steam that drives turbines, and even more water to cool a plant’s condensers. But burning
Read More
Dust, where it’s coming from, and what it’s doing to our health
May 3rd, 2022
Dust is common in the Salt Lake Valley. What is not common, however, is the drastically increased levels from the ongoing drought- and the heavy metals, arsenic and other pollutants
Read More
Wildfire season already? How to protect your health this summer
April 26th, 2022
It’s only April and wildfires have been burning for weeks in Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico, California, Colorado, and Texas. The climate crisis is not looming in the distant future, it’s
Read More
Inject Salt Lake City environmental priorities into the Utah Inland Port
April 26th, 2022
UPHE has been opposed to the Utah Inland Port since its conception, due to the inevitable pollution a port brings to its area. A recent op-ed by UPHE member, Katie
Read More
Dr. Moench’s “State of the Air” on Fox13
April 26th, 2022
In their “State of the Air” report, the American Lung Association gave most of Utah failing grades for air pollutants. Once again Salt Lake City, Provo, and Orem ranked in
Read More
Earth Day
April 19th, 2022
Salt Lake County’s move to block Parley’s mine now faces legal threats
April 19th, 2022
After unanimous and passionate public outrage, Salt Lake County Council passed an ordinance that blocked a mine proposed for Parley’s Canyon. Proponents of the mine (Tree Farm LLC) are refusing
Read More
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine exposes our fossil fuel addiction
April 18th, 2022
Our board President, Dr. Brian Moench, has an editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune on the connection between Putin’s war on Ukraine, our ongoing fossil fuel addiction, and the moral
Read More
EPA moves to protect Utah residents from elevated ozone
April 15th, 2022
Last year, Utah failed to meet the deadline to comply with the national air quality standard for ozone, prompting reconsideration of the attainment status by the EPA. The state legislature
Read More
EPA Rejects Utah Request to Allow Higher Ozone
April 14th, 2022
(Salt Lake City, UT) -Last year two of Utah’s largest industrial polluters, the Utah Mining Association (UMA) and Utah Petroleum Association (UPA), arm twisted the Utah Division of Air Quality
Read More
Three commentaries on the Utah Lake scheme
April 12th, 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune had three commentaries this week shredding developers’ claim that Utah Lake needs “restoration,” via a multi-billion dollar dredging operation, a network of over 30 artificial islands,
Read More
When necessary, we litigate
April 12th, 2022
KUER covered our notice to file a lawsuit against four Harley-Davidson dealerships on the Wasatch Front for selling motorcycles that have had their pollution control devices stripped, and for selling
Read More
Salt Lake County passes ordinance that blocks the proposed mine for Parley’s Canyon
April 6th, 2022
The Salt Lake County Council voted unanimously, including all the members of both political parties, for an ordinance that would prohibit mining in the canyons and foothills of their part
Read More
Utah to receive over $1M from 2 companies involved in EPA air quality settlements
April 5th, 2022
The Uinta Basin, home of the proposed oil rail expansion, has been found to be the victim of irresponsible and reckless polluting by two oil and gas companies. A lawsuit
Read More
What is the human cost of air pollution in Utah? More than you might think
April 5th, 2022
The American Lung Association just released a report about the human cost of air pollution, and the need for electrifying our vehicles instead of continued reliance on oil as the
Read More
Harley Dealerships charged with motorcycle tampering that increases harmful air and noise pollution in Utah
March 30th, 2022
Utah Physicians for a Healthy EnvironmentAnnounce Intent to Sue Harley-Davidson Dealerships for Defeating Air and Noise Pollution Control Systems on Motorcycles (April 5, 2022 – Salt Lake City) – Today
Read More
Utah Lake proposal would disrupt water rights
March 29th, 2022
The latest in a laundry list of reasons to oppose the scheme to dredge Utah Lake is its disruption of local water rights. A Salt Lake Tribune article reports that
Read More
Study measures indoor air quality in two Salt Lake City high schools
March 29th, 2022
Study measures indoor air quality in two Salt Lake City high schools A 2018 study conducted by the Salt Lake County Health Department backs something UPHE has been advocating for
Read More
Parley’s mine proponents drop large mine due to public opposition, but the threat of a “small” one still looms
March 29th, 2022
Here’s one thing you can do to help keep the Salt Lake Valley a great place to live. Largely due to overwhelming public opposition, Tree Farm LLC withdrew their application
Read More
Finally – a bit of good news for SLC’s west side
March 22nd, 2022
We often talk about the threats to air quality and public health facing Salt Lake’s west side. As if it’s not bad enough to have pollution from the freeways and
Read More
Dust from the shrinking Great Salt Lake is causing early snowmelt.
March 22nd, 2022
Any development or project that lowers the level of the Great Salt Lake has a consequence that is not usually acknowledged or discussed. Dust from the expanding lake bed blows
Read More
Utah youth group could save us all
March 22nd, 2022
Our Children’s Trust, a group of attorneys and parents of teenagers, has filed lawsuits in several states on behalf of their state’s young citizens claiming that “the state’s fossil fuel
Read More
Letter to the Surface Transportation Board on the Tooele Railway
March 21st, 2022
Re: STB Finance Dockets No. 36524 and 36525; and a Request to Withhold Approval Dear Director Navecky: Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE) is a public health advocacy group
Read More
Comments to The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining on Parley’s Canyon
March 21st, 2022
UPHE submitted the following comments to the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) regarding the porposed limestone mine in Parley’s Canyon: Dear Members of the Board of the Division
Read More
We need to talk about your gas stove, your health and climate change
March 15th, 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune recently published an important article about the consequences of natural gas stoves. The most important points addressed by the piece were: 1. The stoves leaked methane
Read More
The far-reaching consequences of wood smoke pollution
March 15th, 2022
A free lance reporter asked UPHE to weigh in on wood smoke pollution for a piece that was picked up by High Country News. We shared with them the unvarnished
Read More
Can Utah’s inland port magically clean our air?
March 15th, 2022
There was a great op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune last week by one of UPHE’s members. Malin Moench calls out blatant lies propagated by the Port Authority that the
Read More
One good plan for SLC – ‘slow streets’
March 8th, 2022
With so many proposals that would be severely damaging to quality of life along the Wasatch Front, we wanted to highlight a lighter, brighter vision for our area. A vision
Read More
Former SLC Mayor calls inland port a disaster
March 8th, 2022
We couldn’t agree more with former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson when it comes to the inland port. He recently sat down with the Salt Lake Tribune to discuss
Read More
Comment on the water grab proposed by Iron County
March 8th, 2022
Twelve years ago Nevada proposed a massive water pumping scheme that would have drained water from aquifers in Northern Nevada and shipped it to Las Vegas. Loss of that water
Read More
Carving new mines in the canyons is intolerable
March 8th, 2022
UPHE founder and board president Dr. Brain Moench wrote an excellent op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune arguing against the idea that a new mine in Parley’s Canyon would be
Read More
Shrinking Great Salt Lake is a major public health hazard
March 1st, 2022
Last year our very own Great Salt Lake gained national attention for being at a record low. The Great Salt Lake can be overlooked by locals as a stinky area
Read More
Utah tackles one major polluter, but encourages others
March 1st, 2022
Union Pacific’s switching yard in South Salt Lake has been one of the worst sources of pollution in our area for years due to their use of the dirtiest possible
Read More
SLC ok with trading representation on Inland Port Board for returned tax revenue
March 1st, 2022
The Utah Legislature is pushing through a bill (H.B. 443) that removes Salt Lake’s only representation on the Utah Inland Port Authority Board. While the bill does return 25% of
Read More
Public input can help move better bills for Utah Lake
March 1st, 2022
In case you wonder if public involvement ever makes a difference in outcomes at the Utah Legislature… It does! In a legislature that has often demonstrated concern only for their
Read More
Utah politicians face COVID the way they face air pollution – they don’t
March 1st, 2022
There was a great editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune that reminds us, “What doesn’t kill you mutates and tries again.” We are seeing a premature relaxation of attitudes and
Read More
Another reason to support clean air – send a message to your legislators
February 23rd, 2022
Sen. Escamilla’s bill could be crucial for health of inland port-adjacent communities
February 22nd, 2022
Those following the Inland Port have noticed that while the project is harmful to Utah as a whole, its effects are especially egregious to its neighbors – many of whom
Read More
Why you should be listening to Outdoor Retailer companies, Editorial Board writes
February 22nd, 2022
There was a great in house editorial in the Salt Lake Tribune this week. Four years ago the Outdoor Retailers trade show was moved by its organizers and members, The
Read More
Why is Colorado trying to block Utah’s proposed oil rail?
February 22nd, 2022
Colorado politicians may come to our rescue, where our own Legislature left us in the lurch. Utah’s political leaders have their heads firmly stuck in the sand, and have allowed
Read More
Proposed Utah Lake Authority passes out of committee, but faces fierce public criticism
February 22nd, 2022
Given the suffocating influence that real estate developers have over the legislature, we are not surprised that the Utah Lake Fantasy Island bill, HB 232, passed out of house committee
Read More
Comments to Salt Lake Planning Commission on ordinance change to block Parley’s mine
February 17th, 2022
UPHE submitted the following comments to the Salt Lake Planning Commission in support of an ordinance change that would block a proposed mine in Parley’s Canyon: There are multiple reasons
Read More
Western megadrought is worst in 1,200 years, intensified by climate change, study finds
February 15th, 2022
Scientists calculated that 42% of the current drought is the result of global warming from human caused greenhouse gas emissions. The research warns that humans have the ability to make
Read More
Company experts say dredging Utah Lake will be its salvation. Here’s why critics oppose the project
February 15th, 2022
Real estate developers should not be in charge of Utah’s future. The developers trying to pave Utah Lake are still at it, trying to dress up a real estate boondoggle
Read More
A new rail line proposal for a satellite port
February 15th, 2022
UPHE is a major contributor to the Stop the Polluting Port Coalition (SPPC) and as the name implies we are dedicated to stopping the inland port. More heavy industry, more
Read More
Winter inversions and pollution
February 15th, 2022
A lead story on the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune last week emphasized the need to reduce pollution along the Wasatch Front, and its relation to the winter
Read More
Lawsuit Targets Federal OK of Railway That Would Quadruple Oil Production in Utah’s Uinta Basin
February 15th, 2022
WASHINGTON— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Surface Transportation Board today to challenge its approval of a new rail line designed to quadruple oil production in Utah’s Uinta Basin and send most of
Read More
Free Fare February
February 8th, 2022
Vehicle emissions are a major contributor to the poor air quality we endure along the Wasatch Front. We urge you to take advantage of Free Fare February, and ride UTA
Read More
Artificial islands as real estate? The murky finances behind the Utah Lake Restoration Project
February 8th, 2022
Being framed as a lake restoration project is apparently not the only sneaky aspect of the proposal for Utah Lake. A company comedically named “Lake Restoration Solutions” has proposed dredging
Read More
Resident objection may help curb Parley’s Canyon mine
February 8th, 2022
Salt Lake County is paying attention to over 20,000 residents who signed the petition against a new mine in beloved Parley’s Canyon. We asked you to comment against the mine
Read More
Sick of Utah’s icky air quality? These lawmakers have ideas to address it
February 8th, 2022
In Utah, we’ve seen harmful policy decisions be made time and time again at the cost of our health and quality of life. That’s why it’s so important to support
Read More
Op-ed compares failed Dubai islands with Utah Lake proposal
February 1st, 2022
An op-ed in the Daily Herald by Utah author John Bennion compares a failed attempt to build islands in Dubai to the proposed artificial island project for Utah Lake. The
Read More
Even low levels of soot can be deadly to older people, research finds
January 31st, 2022
A “first of its kind” air pollution study found that even low levels of soot can be deadly. We at UPHE often say there’s no safe level of air pollution.
Read More
Utah Inland Port takes steps to further reduce public voice
January 31st, 2022
The Utah Legislature is discussing removing Salt Lake City’s two seats from the 11-member Utah Inland Port Authority board. Currently, Salt Lake’s interests are represented on the UIPA board by
Read More
Proposed Mine in Parley’s Canyon renamed I-80 South Quarry
January 31st, 2022
Remember the plan to rip a huge open pit aggregate mine in the heart of Parley’s Canyon? It’s still on the table. Ironically named “Tree Farm” has announced their intention
Read More
Brian Moench: An entire fleet of asteroids is coming at us from all directions
January 31st, 2022
UPHE’s founder and board president, Dr. Brian Moench, wrote an excellent Op-Ed for the Tribune, relating the metaphor of the film “Don’t Look Up” to America and Utah’s current political
Read More
Dr. Moench on Utah Public Radio: Wildfire smoke contributes to poor air quality in Utah
January 31st, 2022
UPHE board president and founder, Dr. Brian Moench, went on Utah Public Radio to discuss the dangers of wildfire smoke to human health. Wildfire smoke is a big contributor to
Read More
Victory for Clean Air Federal Court Rules UPHE’s Lawsuit Against TAP Worldwide LLC (Owner of 4 Wheel Parts) Can Move Forward
January 27th, 2022
Salt Lake City, UT –Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment scored another victory for clean air in federal court yesterday, securing its right to sue TAP Worldwide LLC (parent company
Read More
Will some brave legislators stand up against the Inland Port now?
January 25th, 2022
As the Utah legislature begins another session, citizens like James King express concern over their priorities and actions regarding the Utah Inland Port- the most pressing polluting project in Salt
Read More
Not so mild? Hospitalizations exploding among Utah infants, children with COVID-19′s omicron strain
January 25th, 2022
The Utah House has followed the Senate in overruling Salt Lake County’s mask mandate. We’re disappointed that lawmakers seem to be so blinded by their ideology that they are willing
Read More
Utah Lake project-cause for concern
January 25th, 2022
“A bill being circulated among Utah County officials would create a Utah Lake Authority — the functional equivalent to the Inland Port Authority in Salt Lake City — that would
Read More
Comments on HB 58-Surgical Smoke Evacuation System Requirements
January 25th, 2022
UPHE board member, Dr. John MacFarlane, wrote the following letter in support of HB58. Dr. MacFarlane has been using a smoke evacuation system in his operating room to reduce the
Read More
Ozone Exposure Linked to Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, YSPH Study Finds
January 20th, 2022
A new study by scientists at the Yale School of Public Health has found a connection between long term o-zone exposure, and increased risk of cognitive health issues in adults.
Read More
UPHE at Utah 30×30 press conference
January 18th, 2022
UPHE is part of a coalition putting together a Utah 30×30 proposal; the goal of which is to protect 30% of land and water in Utah by the year 2030.
Read More
Utah’s poor air quality shortens life expectancy by 2 years. A new bill could show the true cost
January 18th, 2022
Rep. Stephen Handy filed a bill to allow physicians to list air pollution as a cause, or contributing cause of death. He ran this idea by UPHE several months ago
Read More
Bill would offer free fare on any Utah public transit system
January 18th, 2022
Rep. Joel Briscoe has introduced a bill to make mass transit free, in addition to his legislation that made fares free on bad air quality days, like the ones we’ve
Read More
Comments to Utah Department of Environmental Quality on SLCMAD permit
January 13th, 2022
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE) and other environmental groups have been concerned about the inappropriate use of pesticides by the state’s mosquito abatement districts, Salt Lake City Mosquito
Read More
Local Utahn’s efforts to move away from polluting Big Ag
January 11th, 2022
An excellent article in the SL Tribune follows the story of a Utah alfalfa farm in its effort to move away from the industrial farming model- a model heavily tied
Read More
Studies show health consequences of poor air quality
January 10th, 2022
Several studies published this week on the health consequences of air pollution add to our understanding of the need to improve air quality. Poor air quality and pollution is cited
Read More
A disconnect when it comes to saving the Great Salt Lake
January 10th, 2022
Last week, House Speaker Brad Wilson hosted a summit to talk about the threats facing the Great Salt Lake. The quickly shrinking lake is gaining a lot of attention from
Read More
Pesticide permit should be denied
January 10th, 2022
The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) is seeking to renew a permit from the Utah Division of Water Quality (UDWQ) to spray pesticides in the Northwest Quadrant, due
Read More
Governor Cox’s ‘One Utah’ Plan
January 4th, 2022
Governor Cox recently released a “roadmap” for Utah’s future, “One Utah”, that doubles down on outdated and increasingly obsolete industries, rather than addressing some of the most pressing environmental and
Read More
Dr. Moench’s Op Ed on Biden’s responsibility
January 4th, 2022
UPHE’s founder and board president, Dr. Brian Moench, wrote an excellent op-ed that was featured in the Salt Lake Tribune right before the holidays. He compares President Joe Biden’s current
Read More
Appeals court affirms ‘Diesel Brothers’ engaged in ‘flagrant misconduct’ by removing emission controls
January 4th, 2022
In a significant victory for cleaner air and the rule of law, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld federal Chief Judge Robert Shelby’s 2019 decision that Utah Physicians for
Read More
Diesel Brothers Fail to Overturn Clean Air Act Violations, Cited for “Flagrant Misconduct.”
January 3rd, 2022
Salt Lake City, UT – In a significant victory for cleaner air and the rule of law, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld federal Chief Judge Robert Shelby’s 2019 decision that Utah
Read More
Objection To Ashley National Forest Grant Of Special Use Permit To The Uinta Basin Railway Project
January 3rd, 2022
UPHE is in objection with Ashley National Forest’s grant of a special use permit to allow construction of the Uinta Basin Railway. This decision allows 12 miles of the 88
Read More
Tax increase for pesticide spraying
December 20th, 2021
Last week the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) held a board meeting and a vote on a plan to increase property taxes, in order to buy a helicopter
Read More
Uinta Basin oil railway moving in the wrong direction
December 20th, 2021
Last week the Surface Transportation Board made an unfortunate decision to grant approval for the proposed Uinta Basin rail expansion. The plan comes from the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, as
Read More
The Port Authority refuses public comment; We deserve to be heard.
December 16th, 2021
UPHE Board Member, E. Thomas Nelson M.D., wrote the below letter after sitting in on a Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) board meeting that did not display the transparency and
Read More
Letter of opposition to proposed Parley’s Canyon mine to Government Officials
December 16th, 2021
UPHE acted quickly to oppose a large proposed mining operation in Parley’s Canyon. We site numerous concerns regarding effects to air quality, human health, quality of life, and environmental degradation
Read More
12 Reasons to Give to UPHE
December 15th, 2021
For the past 14 years, UPHE has led the charge to clean up Utah’s air pollution. We have grown from eight physicians in 2007 to 450 today, with another 4,000
Read More
Ongoing lawsuit to defend Regional Haze Rule
December 14th, 2021
UPHE along with our partners sued the EPA at the end of the Trump administration, and now intend to continue that lawsuit against the Biden administration to ensure enforcement of
Read More
Utah business fined $2 million after dumping chemicals into storm drain for years
December 14th, 2021
A livestock and agricultural fertilizer company, Cytozyme Laboratories, was fined $2 million for dumping toxic waste into Salt Lake City’s sewer system. KUTV2 News asked UPHE to weigh in. We
Read More
Salt Lake County takes actions to block proposed Parley’s Canyon mine
December 14th, 2021
On December 10th, the Salt Lake County Council voted unanimously to begin the process of changing a county ordinance, which would block any attempt to dig new mines in the
Read More
Biden’s EPA Backs Trump Rule to Let Utah’s Coal Plants Pollute National Parks
December 8th, 2021
Conservation Groups Pursue Lawsuit to Defend Clean Air Act’s Regional Haze Program SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has notified HEAL Utah, National Parks Conservation Association
Read More
Limestone Mine’s damage in Parley’s Canyon would be irreversible
December 6th, 2021
The Salt Lake Tribune’s editorial board weighed in on the new mine proposal in Parley’s Canyon this week. As soon as we heard about it, UPHE immediately jumped into the
Read More
Utah Inland Port Authority reaches new low: votes on increased expenditures without public comment, shows propaganda video instead
December 6th, 2021
Salt Lake City – Yesterday the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) took action to increase its expenditures in Fiscal Year 2022 by $829,000 with little public explanation, and for the first
Read More
Utah governor should admit the Uinta Basin Railway’s grave risks
November 29th, 2021
Deeda Seed, one of our partners in the Utah Clean Infrastructure Coalition (UCIC), wrote an excellent Op Ed for the Salt Lake Tribune, expressing concerns and addressing misnomers about the
Read More
No more mines in Parley’s Canyon
November 29th, 2021
UPHE is opposed to a proposal for a new limestone mine in Parley’s Canyon. This is a significant extraction proposal that is sure to bring about more dust pollution, more
Read More
Salt Lake City Needs a Natural Makeover
November 23rd, 2021
Destruction of natural landscapes will only encourage the growth of mosquito and tick populations. UPHE President, Dr. Brian Moench and President of Great Salt Lake Audubon, Heather Dove, wrote an
Read More
The Great Salt Lake will Die Unless we Act Soon
November 15th, 2021
A recent op ed by Lynn de Freitas says we need to realize that our water credit line is overdrawn, and the lake is calling the loan due. “The lake
Read More