Environmental groups worry Utah Inland Port Authority may reactivate coal mine

SALT LAKE CITY — Environmental groups have some major issues with a resolution being voted on at the state capitol today. They worry the Utah Inland Port Authority may reactivate a coal mine.

Utah Citizens Advocating Renewable Energy is worried because the newest resolution by the Utah Inland Port Authority board includes a coal mine in its Castle Country project. The group is concerned that the mine will be reactivated.

However, Executive Director of the Port Authority, Ben Hart said the resolution focuses on economic opportunities. It does not include mining plans.

“It is all about just creating a very wide geographic area that includes a lot more land than just the mining interest,” he said. 

There are more steps, according to Hart, if the Port Authority wants to reactivate the coal mine.

“If and when that were to ever happen, we would have to bring it to our board at a future meeting,” he said.

Hart said the main goal of the resolution is to start creating tax differential. He hopes this will spur economic growth. He said this area needs new economic opportunities especially since places like Green River face a 16%  poverty rate.

Britt Johnson is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.

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