HEAL has begun working more on clean air issues -- looking to see how we can fight to clean up the Wastach Front's dreadful wintertime inversions and summer smog. And we've found one key way: We MUST support the EPA's new plans to clean up our gas and our cars. Click here [1] to let the feds -- and Gov. Herbert -- know you support their new safeguards.

True Blue Sky?

More than 35,000 Utah families and businesses buy Blue Sky credits -- but even though we do, Rocky Mountain Power offers us electricity which is mostly made with dirty coal and natural gas. Worst of all, they recently announced they have NO plans to build new renewable facilities until AT LEAST 2024.

Show Your Support for Stopping the Green River Nukes!

The absurd proposal to site nuclear reactors on the Green River [4] continues to limp along, despite overwhelming evidence that no one is interested in the expensive power it would produce. HEAL was proud in early 2013 to defeat a proposed bill up at the State Legislature [5] that could have forced ratepayers to pick up the project's multi-billion tab [6].

To show the widespread opposition across Utah to the Green River project, we now have lawn signs! (see left.) If you're interested in one, contact us at 801-355-5055 or matt (at) healutah.org. In addition to our work at the Legislature, we're also fighting to overturn a bad state decision granting the project the water it needs [7]. That decision ignored the reams of evidence that nuclear power is a terrible use for Utah's precious water. [4]

HEAL Utah joined 17 other plaintiffs and filed a complaint in District Court seeking to overturn the decision [8]. We did so because many of you answered our plea. [9] As of early 2013, our case is moving forward with both sides exchanging documents and moving towards an early summer trial date, most likely.

HELP CLEAN UP THE WASATCH FRONT'S DIRTY AIR

Like all of you, we're disgusted not just by the dirty air that plagued our valley's air and our families' bodies this winter -- but by the inaction of our elected officials who claim little or nothing can be done. We disagree! From halting refinery expansion, to implementing cutting-edge limits on vehicle pollution, to boosting funding for mass transit, there is so much Gov. Herbert and the Legislature can do to help clean our air. Please sign up for our action alerts [10]to find out more!

FOLLOW HEAL ON TWITTER & FACEBOOK!

For the most up-to-date information on what HEAL is up to -- and often our snarky commentary on what the powers-that-be are up to, check out our Twitter [11] and Facebook [12] pages.

Tweets by @healutah [11]

Protecting Utah from Hotter Nuclear Waste

For years, Utahns concerned about nuclear waste achieved some protections when Utah Governors stepped up and protected our health and the environment. However, in recent years, we've seen Gov. Gary Herbert repeatedly step in the wrong direction -- offering EnergySolutions a clear path to turning Utah into the nation's nuclear waste dumping ground.

Last year, the Herbert Administration let EnergySolutions start dumping blended waste in Utah [13]. We're proud that thousands of you let regulators know what you think of their decision [14]. More than 1,700 of you filled out a postcard (see left) and another 600+ commented online. Thanks so much! The state will respond to those comments, plus HEAL's detailed critique of their decision [15], sometime in 2013.

Herbert's next distressing decision was to nominate an EnergySolutions executive to the state's nuclear waste policy panel: the Radiation Control Board. It was an appalling choice [16]. HEAL succeeded in delaying the nomination--and then killing it [17]! It was a tremendous victory: Now comes to hard work of making sure state regulators do their job. Sign up for our action alerts [18] to hear the latest -- and to find how you can fight to protect Utah.

boosting renewables: eutah and CCA

[19]

In 2010, we released our renewable energy roadmap for Utah, the eUtah Project. Check out coverage of our ambitious plan in the New York Times [20], Huffington Post [21], and Business Week [22]. Download the Blueprint and full study here [23]. 

Now, with eUtah as our foundation, we're putting together a plan to boost renewables in Utah. Currently, thanks to our governor beholden [24] to the dirty energy of the past [25]: Just 2 to 3 percent of the power made in Utah comes from wind, solar and geothermal: a shameful figure that leaves Utah behind nearly all of our fellow Western states.

We've think we've hit on a plan for increasing that number [26] -- one that we can sell even in conservative Utah. Check out our page about Community Choice Aggregation [26]. You'll be hearing a lot more about it soon from HEAL.
[19]

The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) works to engage citizens in efforts to protect public health from nuclear and toxic waste and promote clean energy policies for our state.  With the help of our members, we are working to create a world in which people, not polluters, determine Utah’s environmental and energy policies.

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