Not as bad as it was, but not as good as it should be
August 16th, 2022
Salt Lake City’s air quality issues are nothing new. New research out of the University of Utah shows the history of poor air quality in the area, and how certain
Read More
What does “modernizing infrastructure” mean for SLC?
August 16th, 2022
Utah is getting over $25 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funds are dedicated to two projects being touted to modernize infrastructure, the State Route 224
Read More
Utah Lake and forever chemicals in pesticides
August 16th, 2022
One of our most important battles right now is to stop developers who want to dredge Utah Lake and create 34 artificial islands and house up to 500,000 more people
Read More
Developer’s plan for Utah Lake threatens to be an ‘unmitigated disaster’
August 8th, 2022
By now, most have heard of the proposal for Utah Lake, proposed by a new company called “Lake Restoration Solutions.” It doesn’t take a deep dive into the proposal to
Read More
Escaping the pollution
August 8th, 2022
Much of the advice surrounding how to avoid air pollution revolves around staying inside. Air quality is a serious concern, even in indoor spaces however. Daniel Mendoza, a researcher at
Read More
A SLC environmental injustice
August 2nd, 2022
Salt Lake City’s west side has been exposed to various environmental injustices, adversely affected by polluting industries. It is one of the main reasons we have been opposed to the
Read More
Parley’s Canyon mine & DOGM’s responsibility
August 2nd, 2022
After attempting to squeak past the appropriate public input process once, proponents of the proposed limestone mine in Parley’s Canyon are still fighting residents’ wishes, and have enlisted the help
Read More
Toxic chemicals are causing the collapse of human intelligence
July 29th, 2022
UPHE founder and board president, Dr. Brian Moench, had an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune on air pollution’s impact on brain function. He offers a solution to help mitigate
Read More
Governor Cox speaks on drought and GSL
July 26th, 2022
In response to criticism of Utah’s water conservation efforts, Governor Cox admitted “I think we got a little lackadaisical.” It was frustrating for many to read his comments reported in
Read More
A small step in shifting our water culture
July 26th, 2022
Despite the ongoing megadrought and looming environmental and health threats of losing our capital city’s namesake lake, Utah has struggled to change the culture around water usage. We continue to
Read More
The state of the Great Salt Lake
July 26th, 2022
The Great Salt Lake made national news yet again in an in-depth report published by ABC News. They reported that two thirds of the lakebed, or 800 sq miles is
Read More
Another take on the proposed gondola for Little Cottonwood
July 19th, 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune had a very well written editorial about the plans to build a gondola to increase the number of people going to ski resorts up Little Cottonwood
Read More
A new bill on the table to “save” the GSL – but is it practical?
July 19th, 2022
A new bill was introduced by Senator Mitt Romney, and in the House by Utah Representatives Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens regarding the Great Salt Lake. The bill is touted
Read More
Uinta Basin Railway moving forward – send a message ASAP
July 19th, 2022
Despite strong public opposition, serious environmental and health concerns, and a promise to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, the federal government recently gave the OK for the Uinta Basin Railway
Read More
Harley Dealerships charged with motorcycle tampering that increases harmful air and noise pollution in Utah
July 18th, 2022
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment Brings “Citizen Suit” Against Harley-Davidson Dealerships for Defeating Air and Noise Pollution Control Systems on Motorcycles (July 18, 2022 – Salt Lake City) –
Read More
Reflections on the Stericycle Closure by UPHE Co-founder Tim Wagner
July 11th, 2022
UPHE Co-founder, Tim Wagner, wrote a lovely piece reflecting on the recent victory of the Stericycle closure of their medical waste incinerator. Read below: I rejoice with many Utahns and
Read More
Clean air for classrooms!
July 11th, 2022
Dr. John Macfarlane, UPHE board member and local neurosurgeon, had an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune last weekend that highlights the importance of our new air purifiers in schools
Read More
Victory for clean air: Stericycle closes medical waste incinerator
July 7th, 2022
UPHE celebrated a long fought victory today with a press conference outside of Stericycle’s office. Stericycle, for 33 years, has been polluting the air of Davis County with toxic chemicals
Read More
Biden Administration Paves Way for Railway That Will Quadruple Oil Production in Utah’s Uinta Basin
July 7th, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY— The U.S. Forest Service has rejected challenges to the Uinta Basin Railway, saying the project is in the public interest even as it predicts the oil railway could increase
Read More
Stericycle Shuts Down!
July 5th, 2022
Public Health and Community Activists Finally Win the Battle to Permanently Close Stericycle’s Incinerator (Salt Lake City, UT) –For the last 33 years Stericycle’s medical waste incinerator has poured a witches brew
Read More
Parley’s mine in July?
June 28th, 2022
Salt Lake Valley residents are well aware of the negative impacts a new mine in Parley’s Canyon would have on their health and quality of life. As expected, however, Jesse
Read More
Dr. Moench on air pollution and life expectancy for KUTV
June 28th, 2022
UPHE has been saying for 15 years that Utahns are losing about two years of their life expectancy due to air pollution. New research strengthens that claim. KUTV called us
Read More
The case for solar
June 28th, 2022
UPHE board member, Dr. Tom Nelson, wrote a very powerful op-ed for the Deseret News describing his experience transitioning to solar, and highlighting the public funds available to help with
Read More
Another impact of the Port
June 21st, 2022
We wrote a few weeks ago about the Utah Inland Port’s plan to purchase LDS Church property for a rail yard. The Utah Department of Transportation had secured federal funding
Read More
No safe level of compound found in pesticides
June 21st, 2022
The EPA finally acknowledges that there is no safe level of toxic “forever” chemicals in our drinking water. That means there is no safe level of exposure from other sources.
Read More
The immediate financial impacts of a shriveled-up Great Salt Lake
June 21st, 2022
UPHE board member Dr. Tom Nelson (ER physician) had an excellent Op Ed in the Salt Lake Tribune yesterday, about more consequences of the shriveling up of the Great Salt
Read More
Another study on air quality and life expectancy
June 21st, 2022
Is air pollution as bad as cigarettes? A new study says even worse. We’ve seen studies on air pollution and life expectancy before, and another one confirms the findings –
Read More
Coal over water
June 14th, 2022
A popular northern Utah fishing reservoir is being drained to facilitate a coal mine expansion. The reservoir is 1,000 feet above the underground coal seam being mined. “The need to
Read More
An ‘Environmental Nuclear Bomb’
June 14th, 2022
The Great Salt Lake has made national news a few times lately, for unfortunate reasons. The drying of our famous lake is sparking conversation because it is increasingly stirring up
Read More
“What are we doing here?” Op-ed on Parley’s
June 7th, 2022
In Utah, it can be difficult to stay optimistic and avoid feeling burnt out and defeated over the constant threats towards our health and quality of life. One of the
Read More
Electric school buses for Utah?
June 7th, 2022
The EPA has released a new program to encourage schools to replace their dirty energy, diesel buses for clean electric ones. Typical school buses run on diesel and produce high
Read More
Another Port transparency issue
June 7th, 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune has a story asking the question “Why did the Utah Inland Port give this California company a no-bid $2M contract?” regarding the Port’s partnership with the
Read More
More transparency is needed on the Inland Port
May 31st, 2022
There is a letter to the editor, also in the Salt Lake Tribune, expressing concern over how funds are said to be used, and how they actually are. The letter
Read More
Inland port’s effort to snatch up LDS Church property throws wrench into plan to improve air, traffic
May 31st, 2022
Not only did the Inland Port’s effort to obtain the Church’s property lack transparency, it also could block a project years in the making aimed to IMPROVE air quality. “Turns
Read More
Clean Air Advocates Share Renewed Concerns about Utah’s Plan to Reduce Haze Pollution
May 31st, 2022
Clean air advocates reject Utah’s regional haze plan, call for immediate change to protect national parks and public health. Salt Lake City, UT – Today the Utah Division of Air
Read More
Blue Sky Tips
May 25th, 2022
See our weekly Blue Sky Tips in our e-news! Take pictures of yourself, your friends and your family participating in our weekly tips to be featured in our e-news or
Read More
Take saving the GSL seriously
May 24th, 2022
The Salt Lake Tribune has an in-house editorial that calls the idea of feeding water to the Great Salt Lake from a multi-billion dollar pipeline tapping the Pacific Ocean completely
Read More
Company should listen to the public on proposed Parley’s mine
May 24th, 2022
Too often individual interests trump public health and common sense in environmental battles. Nowhere is that more the case than with the Parley’s Canyon gravel pit. Predictably, the property owner,
Read More
Truck or train, pollution persists
May 24th, 2022
UPHE and our partners at the Stop the Polluting Port Coalition met with Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) officials recently and addressed misnomers in claims that a port could clean
Read More
Act! Public comment & hearing on Regional Haze
May 24th, 2022
The Regional Haze Rule is a crucial piece of legislation in protecting our public lands and public health from fossil fuel pollution. Utah is a mecca for outdoor recreation. Home
Read More
Where will we get the water for all of Utah’s growth?
May 20th, 2022
Dr. Moench had an op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune this week highlighting a crucial concern at the core of growth in Utah – water. While the Utah Inland Port
Read More
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