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Navigating Utah’s Legislative Session​: Your HEAL Guide to Capitol Hill

Welcome to the 2024 Utah Legislative General Session, where the future of our state’s environmental policies is at stake. In this blog post, we will break down the legislative process and explore its significance in shaping Utah’s environmental landscape. HEAL Utah, an environmental advocacy organization plays a crucial role in pushing for policies that promote clean energy, improve air quality, protect our communities from toxic & radioactive exposure, and ensure transparency in decision-making. Let’s dive into how it all works!

The Great Salt Lake: An Update on Current Levels, Ongoing Challenges, and Our Next Steps

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.

CLOSED: Voice your concerns regarding a proposed mine in Parleys Canyon.

The proposed Parleys Canyon Mine in Utah is a ticking time bomb for our air and water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational activities in the area. The fine particles created by the mine can cause fear and worry for resident’s health and environmental impacts! Not to mentionUtah has limited regulation of fugitive dust polluters and there are no real consequences when they break the rules. We MUST fight this and join forces to protect our air, water, wildlife, and recreation for generations to come.

CLOSED: HELP UTAH STRENGTHEN IT’S PLAN TO CLEAN OUR AIR.

The Utah Division of Air Quality has shared a preliminary version of their state implementation plan to restrict harmful substances in outdoor air in compliance with the Clean Air Act. However, the current plan to reduce ozone in the airshed is not effective enough and puts the health of residents at risk. Fill out this action alert to urge the Division of Air Quality to strengthen its plan.

Salt Lake Tribune

“We should be listening to the EPA,” said Vielleux. “The EPA has the best available science. All that ozone is crossing state borders, and it’s polluting other places. If those plants need to be shut down by the EPA, we’re going to take their word for it. Instead of spending $2 million on a lawsuit, maybe they should be spending $2 million thinking about where those jobs are going to be when the coal plants start shutting down. We’re just lighting money on fire for what purpose?”

KRCL 90.9

Legislative Priorities with HEAL Utah’s Lexi Tuddenham and Dr. Brian Moench of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment.

HEAL Utah Bill Tracker, newsletter, action alerts and more
HEAL Utah Community Lobbying Training, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30a-12:30p, during the Legislative Session
Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment newsletter

Salt Lake Tribune

Before embarking on projects like an auto mall, Gonzalez said, cities should answer: Would auto malls stay afloat in the next decades? How much parking would it require in the future? Is there enough room for green spaces in the city? And is this kind of development the best for the community?

Deseret News

“We want to know when dust is coming in, where it’s hitting communities, how to install monitors in the best places,” said Alex Veilleux, a policy associate with HEAL Utah.

HEAL plans to lobby lawmakers to do a comprehensive study of dust pollution, including sources beyond the lake. And it’s a concept that might receive support — Cox has requested $160,000 to study the lakebed dust issue.