Your job is to tell the EPA to do its job

March 27th, 2023

Agency has fallen behind on its responsibility to set safe standards for air quality in Utah. UPHE co-founder and president, Dr. Brian Moench, had the following op-ed in the Salt
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Geneva’s Point of the Mountain expansion ‘tentatively’ approved

March 21st, 2023

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining (DOGM) approved Geneva’s proposal to expand their massive Point of the Mountain rock quarry early this week, despite an outpouring of public
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Great Salt Lake ignored by legislature, op-ed

March 21st, 2023

Utah Rivers Council had an excellent op-ed in the Cheyenne Post covering Governor Cox’s recent speech at the Future of Great Salt Lake Conference last week, mentioning that he didn’t
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Utah Car Parts Company Agrees To Take Certain Vehicle Equipment Off The Market To Reduce Air Pollution

March 20th, 2023

Channel 4 News covered the latest update on UPHE’s lawsuit with 4 Wheel Parts. “Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE) lodged a consent decree with the Utah Federal District
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Utah Physicians Secure Legal Settlement That Will Reduce Vehicle Pollution Across the Country

March 20th, 2023

4 Wheel Parts agrees to penalty and to end nationwide sales of illegal pollution defeat devices. (March 20, 2023 – Salt Lake City) – Today Utah Physicians for a Healthy
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UDOT paving the way for Parley’s mine that hasn’t been approved

March 13th, 2023

Granite Construction’s proposed 634 acre mine is tied up in a legal debate after the Salt Lake County Council passed an ordinance to prevent it. Residents, especially the community of
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Comments to UDOT on the taxpayer backed bond request from Uinta Basin Railway

March 9th, 2023

We urged the Forest Service not to approve passage of the Uinta Basin Oil Railway over our lands last fall. They didn’t listen. Now, the taxpayers could be on the
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UPHE at Friday’s for Future Rally

March 7th, 2023

Thanks to all who attended last Friday’s climate strike at the capitol. The Salt Lake City strike was one of over 7,000 cities across the globe who participated, demonstrating a
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Legislative Recap from Malin Moench

March 7th, 2023

Before the legislative session officially wrapped up at the end of last week, Malin Moench had an op-ed published in the Tribune. The op-ed discusses how recent federal legislative actions
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HB220 – A positive step for air quality

March 7th, 2023

“The state is now authorized to come up with a plan and take action to regulate the emissions by 2026,” a KSL article reports on the passage of HB 220.
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CBS and 60 minutes on the collapse of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem

February 28th, 2023

While the Utah legislature tries to sneak through mining and industrial development in our neighborhoods, a local environmental disaster sits primarily unaddressed – Great Salt Lake. The issues with the
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The Northpoint Small Area Plan is an environmental injustice

February 28th, 2023

Another plan to completely degrade the Wasatch Front’s quality of life is gaining opposition. Developers are looking to turn Northpoint, one of Salt Lake’s remaining rural havens, into a new
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Mining bill would be a nightmare for Utah’s future

February 28th, 2023

UPHE has warned that Jesse Lassley and Granite Construction are not done attempting to force their massive gravel pit and mining operation on the very vocally opposed Wasatch Front. In
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Vehicle Emissions in the Valley

February 21st, 2023

Mobile source emissions are one of the leading sources of pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. The body of research on what this means for our health is growing stronger,
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Great Salt Lake needs real solutions

February 21st, 2023

Great Salt Lake is getting more and more attention as concern over what its declining levels mean for the future. While the legislature insists they are paying attention, most of
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Public health malpractice in Summit County

February 21st, 2023

UPHE’s founder and board president, Dr. Brian Moench, had a guest editorial in the Park Record on the harm being inflicted upon Summit County residents by the Forest Service’s thinning
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Free Fare Forever

February 14th, 2023

Despite last year’s success, Free Fare February was reduced to just 10 days this year. Now through February 21st, all UTA services are free. The timeline at least lines up
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EPA standards are stricter, but still don’t reflect the dangers of pollution

February 14th, 2023

The health consequences of PM2.5 are well documented, and the research clearly shows that there is no safe level of air pollution. The current federal standards are way too high,
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Scientists fear a Great Toxic Dustbowl could soon emerge from the Great Salt Lake

February 14th, 2023

The disappearing Great Salt Lake makes national news again, this time from CNN. “When lake levels hit historic lows in recent months, 800 square miles of lakebed were exposed –
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A bill to reduce noise pollution

February 7th, 2023

Representative Gay Lynn Bennion is sponsoring a bill that will help address noise pollution, which is an increasing problem along the Wasatch Front. Believe it or not, noise pollution has
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Population, climate change and GSL

February 7th, 2023

Great Salt Lake made national news yet again. An NPR piece looked at Utah’s toxic relationship between development, population growth, and environmental policy. A combination of climate denial and prioritizing
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UPHE pushes for air purifiers in classrooms

February 7th, 2023

The Utah Department of Health’s air purifier program is one way UPHE is making a difference and protecting Utahns from unacceptable air pollution levels. Fox 13 interviewed us about the
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Behind this winter’s worst inversion yet

February 7th, 2023

Wasatch Front residents saw the worst inversion of the winter so far last weekend. The Salt Lake Tribune reported “By Friday afternoon, PM2.5 measurements were double the federal limit in
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Dr. Moench on panel for documentary “Downwind” at the Slamdance Film Festival

January 31st, 2023

Dr. Moench was on a question and answer panel at Slamdance Film Festival after a documentary, “Downwind” showed the public health effect of nuclear testing.  “Subsequent generations may suffer more
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Chopping trees won’t save the Great Salt Lake — but it may cause larger problems

January 31st, 2023

“Tree thinning will hurt our environment in more ways than it could help,” wrote Dr. Brian Moench in his latest op-ed in the Deseret News. Read the op-ed below: A
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Residents speak out against Geneva Rock expansion

January 31st, 2023

Last Friday, the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (DOGM) held another hearing on Geneva’s application to expand their gravel operations at the Point of the Mountain. The city of
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US Magnesium is responsible for 10 to 25% of winter inversion PM2.5

January 31st, 2023

New research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has identified bromine emissions from US Magnesium Corp operations are responsible for 10-25% of the typical winter inversion pollution that plagues
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Free Fare February – back in limited form

January 31st, 2023

Free Fare February is back, but this year it only includes 10 free days for the month. Take advantage of free UTA services to improve your commute, and clean up
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Invest in Utah’s Future Coalition Press Conference

January 24th, 2023

The Deseret News covered a press conference put on by the Invest in Utah’s Future Coalition.  UPHE’s executive director, Jonny Vasic, spoke at the press conference about the incredible opportunity
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The legislature’s plans for water conservation

January 24th, 2023

Water conservation should be on the top of the list for the legislature this session. We’ve been battling the mega drought for some time now, but with all of the
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Residents lose in lawsuit decision with the Inland Port

January 24th, 2023

“Salt Lake City and the state of Utah mutually agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office confirmed to FOX 13 News.”  The
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Stove Wars: The Science Strikes Back

January 24th, 2023

UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench had the following op-ed published in the Salt Lake Tribune: “I don’t know what they have to say, it makes no difference anyway, whatever it is,
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Is Salt Lake City prioritizing warehouses over farms, homes and habitat for the Great Salt Lake?

January 18th, 2023

Thanks to everyone who showed up last week and testified before the Salt Lake City Planning Commission in opposition to another mini-inland port warehouse farm in North Salt Lake. Almost
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Legislators respond to the 5-year timeline for GSL

January 18th, 2023

A huge thank you to all who showed up at the Capital last Saturday for the rally to save Great Salt Lake. The turn out and passion exhibited was inspiring.
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UPHE on the proposed I-15 expansion

January 12th, 2023

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE) is one of the largest civic organizations of health care professionals in the Western US, with over 450 physicians and medical professionals and
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EPA’s proposal falls far short and must be strengthened

January 10th, 2023

After the EPA under the Trump Administration failed in their responsibility to protect public health and tighten the national air pollution standards of PM2.5, the Biden Administration is finally moving
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Make your voice heard on the I-15 plan

January 10th, 2023

The Salt Lake Tribune has an excellent in-house editorial dressing down the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), both for their 19th century solutions to 21st century transportation problems, and for
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New report gives GSL only 5 years

January 10th, 2023

The disappearing Great Salt Lake has again made national news. This time for a new report that says the lake will essentially be gone within five years without emergency measures
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Coalition calls on Salt Lake City to halt effort to create Northpoint warehouse district which will harm residents, Great Salt Lake wetlands and increase pollution

January 10th, 2023

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City’s Planning Department is proposing creation of a new warehouse district in the Northpoint area (north east of the airport) which would decimate quality of life for
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Dust in the rain

January 5th, 2023

The dreary state of our Great Salt Lake is a boon for window washers. After each cold front and rainstorm comes windows covered with little grey spots – each raindrop
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How will we develop? Northpoint residents are worried.

January 4th, 2023

Sign the petition Some Salt Lake City residents have serious cause for concern about legislators and developers intentions for their neighborhoods. The city’s planning commission recently voted to recommend the
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More coal is not the direction we should be heading

January 4th, 2023

Two coal mining operations that are already under fire (literally and figuratively) are in the process of gaining access to 40 million tons of coal. The process in which they’re
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A wish list to save Great Salt Lake

January 4th, 2023

Great Salt Lake has quickly become one of the most pressing issues facing air quality and quality of life along the Wasatch Front and in Utah. There are a smörgåsbord
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DEQ denies US Magnesium’s permit for canal extensions in GSL

January 4th, 2023

Great News on the Great Salt Lake front! The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has rejected the application from US Magnesium Corp to extend their canals and siphon off
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Utah not alone in the fight against the Uinta Basin oil railway

December 20th, 2022

Fighting environmental battles in Utah can sometimes feel isolating. Which is why we are thankful for Colorado residents and the government for their vocal opposition to the Utah spurred project,
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Utah’s population and air pollution

December 20th, 2022

KUER reported this week on two frequent topics of conversion for Utahns – the growing population, and the air pollution crisis. The two are inextricably linked.  “Utah State University projects
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Governor Cox rescinds support of US Magnesium canal expansion

December 20th, 2022

We’re all well aware of the state of Great Salt Lake, and the threats we face if it continues to decline. That’s why, most of us were shocked and fearful
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Everyone has taken up smoking in Summit County

December 20th, 2022

An op-ed from Dr. Brian Moench UPHE has been fielding complaints from Summit County residents about what the forest service is doing in their county. The photos we’ve been sent
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What’s going on with the mosquitoes at the prison?

December 14th, 2022

A November Tribune article exposed an issue that UPHE warned against a while ago – mosquitoes terrorizing the new state prison. The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) sprays
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Why indoor air quality in schools is a priority

December 14th, 2022

You’ve hopefully heard by now about the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (UHHS) program to put air purifiers in K-12 schools and early education centers throughout the state,
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West-side pollution survey

December 14th, 2022

We have said it time and time again – the exploitation of Salt Lake City’s west side is a prime example of environmental injustice. West side communities are typically more
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Developers are fighting hard for Utah Lake – we need to fight harder

December 14th, 2022

Earlier this year, Utah’s Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands (FFSL) and the federal Army Corp of Engineers both rejected the ridiculous proposal from Lake Restoration Solutions (LRS) to
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Parley’s mine not even approved and causing problems

December 7th, 2022

Granite construction’s proposed limestone mine for Parley’s Canyon has faced fierce criticism and pushback for the effect it is sure to have on our quality of life on the Wasatch
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What the youth are doing

December 7th, 2022

Students at Utah Valley University are asking people to give the gift of clean air by taking public transportation.  For UVU student Caitlyn Bennett, winter is a time too often
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A sobering reminder from local women

December 7th, 2022

“We are two women with one too many things in common. We both lived our adult lives in Salt Lake City, are nurses, college professors, were never exposed to radon
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Another issue with UDOT’s gondola plan for Little Cottonwood Canyon

November 28th, 2022

While at the surface level, a gondola may sound like it would have a positive effect on air quality, the plan for the gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon only promotes
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Support west side communities, comment on UDOT’s I-15 expansion proposal

November 28th, 2022

If you were to ask the average Utahn, “Should the Wasatch Front follow the same blueprint for freeways and urban sprawl that everyone hates about Los Angeles?” no one would
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One crop uses more than half of Utah’s water

November 28th, 2022

With Great Salt Lake drying up and spreading toxic dust across Wasatch Valley neighborhoods, water conservation has become a key air quality issue in Utah.  A recent Salt Lake Tribune
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A message from UPHE’s Doctor Tom Nelson on Wasatch Valley air quality

November 28th, 2022

Last week, on November 22nd, Salt Lake City had the 22nd worst air quality on planet earth. We were number one in North America (next was Mexico City at 30).
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Inmates, mosquitoes and pesticides

November 22nd, 2022

Over the weekend the headline story on the front page of the Tribune was an article about mosquitoes swarming the newly relocated Utah State Prison in the Northwest Quadrant and
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The dangers of indoor air quality, and what we’re doing to help

November 22nd, 2022

KSL Channel 5 did a nice piece last week on the air purifiers in schools program UPHE works on with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. We now
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Op-Ed: Utah lawmakers may yet emerge from their environmental comas

November 22nd, 2022

UPHE’s Dr. Moench has another Op Ed in the Salt Lake Tribune on the national attention on Utah for our unsolved and largely unaddressed environmental problems. Read it in full
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There is no safe level of air pollution

November 14th, 2022

You have heard us say for years that there is no safe level of air pollution exposure. New research adds even more evidence to the science behind that. Science Daily
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Prepping for the inversion

November 14th, 2022

Most of us along the Wasatch Front are familiar with the winter weather inversion. With temperatures dropping, the inversion is upon us. While we are familiar with the inversion, how
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The case the youth have against the state

November 14th, 2022

A group of Utah youth is standing up to lawmakers and outdated environmental policies with a lawsuit that outlines the effect these policies have on the future.  Here in Utah,
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Where are the brine flies and why does it matter?

November 14th, 2022

An alarming report has found that the collapse of the Great Salt Lake ecosystem has already begun. Great Salt Lake brine flies have just about disappeared. They are an irreplaceable
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Utah receives EPA grant money to monitor air quality

November 8th, 2022

The EPA also announced last week that federal funds are available for air quality monitoring for 37 states, including our very own. $1,284,587 of the funds are intended for three
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The details on a UPHE prompted environmental justice study

November 8th, 2022

UPHE has been meeting with the EPA over our concerns about adding a major new source of pollution with the proposed inland port on the West side for a few
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New GSL water restrictions – is it enough?

November 8th, 2022

Great Salt Lake has been a major topic of discussion, here in Utah, and nationally. The good news is that with all of the attention and pressure to preserve our
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Utah teens take the state to court

November 8th, 2022

For decades, Utah state policy-makers have intentionally prioritized and subsidized the fossil fuel industry to the detriment of current and future generations. Earlier this year, a team of seven young
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Rail traffic in the city adds to air pollution

November 1st, 2022

Alejandro Puy, Salt Lake City Council Member for District 2 on the west side, had a letter in the Salt Lake Tribune last week, addressing the issue of rail traffic
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Utah Lake islands project rejected

November 1st, 2022

We are delighted to include the latest piece of news on the scheme to dredge Utah Lake.  “A controversial application to dredge Utah Lake as part of a massive island-building
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Inland Port – it’s time to get involved

October 25th, 2022

The Utah Inland Port has been under heavy scrutiny lately with change in leadership, questionable spending of public funds, and an unconvincing business plan. There are so many issues and
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Company hogging water for Uinta drilling project

October 25th, 2022

UPHE has been one of the environmental groups suing to stop the atrocious proposal to allow an Estonian oil company to begin a large-scale oil shale operation near Dinosaur National
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UPHE helps prompt environmental justice study for SLC’s west side

October 18th, 2022

Two years ago UPHE started meeting with the EPA over our concerns about adding a major new source of pollution with the proposed inland port on the West side. With
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SLC and the Port’s new deal

October 18th, 2022

A draft plan is being reviewed by both Salt Lake City, and the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) that outlines the city’s input on the project, and especially their role,
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Utah Lake dredging put on hold

October 18th, 2022

“Permitting for the massive dredging project proposed for Utah Lake has been suspended while the company behind the plan seeks to compile additional materials to support the controversial application to
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Air pollution on the brain — what you need to know about your child’s exposure

October 13th, 2022

UPHE fouder and board president, Dr. Brian Moench, wrote the following op-ed which was published in the Deseret News: Taking advantage of a federal grant, Utah Physicians for a Healthy
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Development in the city

October 11th, 2022

Salt Lake City needs to rethink their develop-at-all-costs attitude in order to protect the health and meet the needs of local residents. Unfortunately, it seems like they are prepared to
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Activism opposing the gondola for Little Cottonwood Canyon

October 11th, 2022

In the weeks leading up to the close of the public comment period for the proposed gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon, we’ve seen an inspiring outcry of opposition to the
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Mistakes were made – UIPA

October 10th, 2022

Salt Lake City Weekly published a recap of the most recent updates regarding the Utah Inland Port Authority. “Even while the Utah inland port is being built out, you can
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The fatal flaw in Utah’s Inland Port idea

October 5th, 2022

Malin Moench spent 37 years analyzing legal, economic, and technical issues relating to transportation and public utility regulation at the Federal level. Now retired, he volunteers for a number of
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Six arguments against a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon

October 5th, 2022

The Salt Lake County Council voted this week to call for the gondola option to be “eliminated from consideration” as a way to manage Little Cottonwood Canyon. Thanks to all
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Inland port is another of the Utah Legislature’s masterpieces in taxpayer waste

September 29th, 2022

UPHE cofounder and board president Dr. Brian Moench wrote the following op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune: “In recent years, using special ingredients of infatuation with economic growth, not doing
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Geneva Rock sued over attempt to evade local land-use rules as it expands Point of the Mountain

September 27th, 2022

The city of Draper is suing Geneva Rock over their attempt to expand their Point of the Mountain (POM) quarry nearly 70 acres.    We previously submitted comments on how horrible
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State audit knocks Inland Port over spending and transparency issues

September 27th, 2022

State auditors agreed with critics of the Utah Inland Port Authority (led by UPHE and the Stop the Polluting Port Coalition) that the port authority has been careless and wasteful
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Port expert says Utah Inland Port destined to fail as a business

September 26th, 2022

UC Berkeley business professor and logistics industry expert says the port’s transloading facility business model is not viable. (Salt Lake City, UT) – On the heels of a highly critical analysis from state auditors,
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Parley’s mine proponents apply for another dirty project in SLC

September 20th, 2022

SAY NO! TO A CONCRETE PLANT IN NORTH SALT LAKE The same company that wants to carve a limestone mine/gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon, Granite Construction, has applied for a
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UPHE and UDHHS help put air purifiers in local schools

September 20th, 2022

In an historic, far reaching clean air initiative, UPHE and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (UDHHS) have joined forces to launch a project to place air purifiers
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Doctors and Utah Health Dept. Launch Historic Air Purifiers in Utah Schools Project

September 14th, 2022

Cleaner air improves student performance, decreases COVID transmission and school absenteeism. (Salt Lake City, UT) – In an historic, far reaching clean air initiative, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment (UPHE)
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Let’s call it what it is – an emergency

September 13th, 2022

As the hottest summer ever recorded in Salt Lake City continues, we remind you that the climate crisis is just getting started. As the legislature refuses to take action, it
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UPHE takes on climate denial

September 13th, 2022

UPHE has been rallying against the Uinta Basin Railway since the project’s conception. The goal of the railway is to increase oil production and output from Utah’s Uinta Basin area,
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Harley-Davidson dealerships accused in civil suit of air, noise pollution violations

September 13th, 2022

UPHE set a precedent in a previous lawsuit we brought against the Diesel Brothers for violating the Clean Air Act. At a time where our air, and quality of life
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Federal Lawsuit Challenges Forest Service OK of Oil Railway Right-of-Way

September 12th, 2022

Railway Will Quintuple Oil Production in Utah’s Uinta Basin WASHINGTON— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Forest Service today to challenge the agency’s approval of construction of an oil railway through a protected
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Why and how to oppose the Little Cottonwood gondola

September 6th, 2022

Yesterday UDOT announced that their preferred alternative to handle traffic congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon was a $500 million gondola. Given UDOT’s past history, and their continued lack of concern
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Utah youth hold die-in for the GSL

September 6th, 2022

Despite record breaking heat, yesterday Utah Youth Environmental Solutions Network, or UYES, organized a “die-in” event at the Great Salt Lake.  “The assembly of around 100 youth and their supporters
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Update on the Inland Port – new executive director

August 30th, 2022

The Utah Inland Port Authority has a new executive director. The Salt Lake Tribune covered the change in leadership in a recent article.  ​In 2018, the state of Utah took
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Update on Parley’s – passed through DOGM

August 30th, 2022

Granite Construction is continuing to exploit Utah’s weak environmental regulations in their efforts to build a mine in local treasure, Parley’s Canyon. Their permit passed the Utah Division of Oil
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Pollution and IQ

August 23rd, 2022

New research adds an exclamation point to previous research about how damaging air pollution is to early stage brain development. Researchers found that toddlers exposed to particulate matter score lower
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Major development on the scheme to dredge Utah Lake

August 23rd, 2022

The Utah Department of Natural Resources told a legislature interim committee last week that the Attorney General’s office considers the proposal to dredge Utah Lake unconstitutional because it is privatizing
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