Last month, we highlighted a big win that places us inches from protecting Southern Utah from an Alton Coal mine expansion that threatens Utah’s invaluable public lands, wildlife, and the climate. We recently learned that the appeal brought to hear the case was dismissed--another win. Of course, now, this legal triumph offers unique leverage to prevent the Alton coal expansion once and for all. But there is still work to be done, and that’s where you come in!
Alton Coal operates an existing mine on state and private lands in southern Utah seeking a permit that would allow for the extraction of 30 million tons of coal from 3,000 acres of public lands–the size of more than 2,000 football fields. Meanwhile, it would be 10 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, which draws more than 2.6 million visitors from around the world annually, eager to enjoy expansive views and dark night skies across the colorful hoodoos and rock spires.
Although the Trump administration initially green lit the expansion, with Sierra Club and our partners winning in the courts, the fate of the mine expansion is now in the Biden administration’s hands–inches from a powerful victory that would protect our public lands, the climate, and the southernmost population of Greater Sage Grouse left in North America. See the Sierra Club press statement here. Together, we can protect Utah’s iconic areas, wildlife, and public from the dangerous pollution of coal mining and transportation.
This is your chance to make a difference. By taking small actions like writing letters, op-eds, and participating in public hearings, you create big change. At times, the national conversation around coal can seem to project its quick and certain demise as a viable energy source. But here in Utah is where the rubber meets the road, and threats to our health and climate are still very real. That’s why it’s so important that as a Utahn you take action to prevent further encroachment of coal mining on our public lands.
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