Since January 2025 the Trump administration has implemented a sweeping rollback of federal environmental justice efforts. The federal government has played a critical role in providing communities with the necessary resources to help them confront environmental risks, and this support must continue.
We continue to absorb the results of the 2024 election and its implications for our communities, our health, and our environment. The divides in our country have been starkly highlighted and the fragility of our bedrock environmental laws and institutions, as well as the recent progress made on climate and health protections, are far too clear.
Salt Lake City, UT – HEAL Utah is proud to announce its selection as a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee. Out of more than 3,300 applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, HEAL Utah was chosen as one of only 343 grantees.
Salt Lake City, UT (April 2) Utah continues to rely heavily on coal and gas production to meet our electricity needs despite clear evidence that air pollution from fossil fuels harms our health and is the dominant cause of climate change.
Salt Lake City, UT (February 6) — In honor of National Transit Equity Day (February 4), advocates, residents, and the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) have united to call upon the Utah State Legislature to reconsider its funding priorities.
Salt Lake City, UT (February 1, 2024) – HEAL Utah, a leading environmental advocacy organization dedicated to improving Utah’s air quality and safeguarding the well-being of our communities, is deeply concerned about the potential consequences of Senate Bill 57, also known as the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act. Sponsored by Senator Sandall, SB 57 seeks to grant Utah the authority to challenge presidential executive orders or federal regulations that are believed to infringe upon Utah’s sovereignty.
Salt Lake City, UT (January 22) – HEAL Utah, a leading environmental advocacy organization, announces its top priorities for the 2024 legislative session. HEAL Utah remains committed to advancing policies that protect communities from air pollution, build an inclusive clean energy future, promote climate resilience and health equity, and safeguard communities from toxic and radioactive waste. These priorities reflect our dedication to creating a sustainable and healthy future for all Utahns.
In response to NuScale and UAMPS canceling the “Carbon Free Power Project,” HEAL Utah underscores the project’s unsustainable cost trajectory and diminishing city participation. The cancellation leaves Utah cities in need of energy solutions, prompting HEAL Utah to advocate for a shift to transparent, community-involved renewable energy sources. Emphasizing a commitment to responsible initiatives, HEAL Utah urges collaboration among stakeholders for inclusive, ethical, and environmentally conscious sustainable energy development.
Advocates for downwinders held a press conference in Salt Lake City urging Utah’s Congressional delegation to support the expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include all victims of nuclear weapons testing in Utah and other Western states. The bipartisan amendment, included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), awaits conferencing with the House. The expansion, supported by new evidence and resolutions from Utah entities, aims to provide justice to downwinders and uranium miners who suffered illnesses due to nuclear exposure. Despite bipartisan Senate approval, Utah senators did not vote in favor. Urgency is stressed as the current RECA program expires in June.
SALT LAKE CITY, — We commend the recent court decision that aligns with the goals set forth by the Biden Administration to combat the pressing issue of climate change. This decision is a commendable step forward, reflecting a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the preservation of our invaluable waterways. As we stand on the precipice of potentially irreversible feedback loops of global warming, which could lead to catastrophic losses of arable land, biodiversity, and clean water sources, decisions like these are pivotal in our collective effort to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change.
