Dive into Utah’s inversion season, exploring the health risks, environmental disparities, and policy efforts combating air pollution. Discover the impacts and solutions in our latest issue update.
Join HEAL Utah’s 2024 Legislative Internship to promote renewable energy and combat environmental hazards. Collaborate with the Community Engagement Manager, attend legislative sessions, lobby, conduct outreach, and assist in research. Apply by Dec 15 for this impactful opportunity.
Meet Kaile Akina, HEAL Utah’s vibrant new Community Engagement Manager. Leveraging experiences at PIK2AR and UVU Center for Social Impact, Kaile advocates for systemic solutions embracing all communities. We are excited to have Kaile on board.
Welcome, Kaile!
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.
Introducing HEAL Utah’s new Development Director, JD Rouillard! His diverse background, dedication to environmental advocacy, and love for outdoor activities make him a perfect fit for our mission. Get to know JD and join us in making a positive impact.
Explore the Great Salt Lake’s ecological significance and the challenges it faces in our latest blog post, ‘The Great Salt Lake: An Update on Current Levels, Ongoing Challenges, and Our Next Steps.’ Discover how low water levels due to drought, overuse, and climate change threaten its ecosystems and communities. Stay informed about current water levels and the urgent need for conservation efforts. Explore the role of policy changes and collaborative initiatives, including HEAL Utah’s legislative impact. Address environmental justice concerns and community-driven efforts to protect the lake.
Community engagement and activism play a vital role in shaping the future of our environment and society. One remarkable individual who has truly exemplified the power of grassroots efforts and community involvement is Naphtali Garcia Arana, a dedicated community outreach intern at HEAL Utah
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.
A recent article published by the New York Times highlights a study that contains startling revelations about the widespread reach of radioactive fallout from nuclear testing in the southwest starting in the 1940s. The study highlighted in the article, titled “Trinity Nuclear Test’s Fallout Reached 46 States, Canada, and Mexico,” sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of these tests, including their impact on Utah. As advocates for health and environmental justice, HEAL Utah is calling for the expansion and extension of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to provide much-needed compensation and support for the victims of nuclear testing, particularly in Utah.