Economic Development Director Says Oil Shale Mining Needed In Uintah County

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Utah is said to be the Saudi Arabia of oil shale and tar sands. The problem is how to get it out of the ground. Many are calling Utah's Uintah County the most energy rich county in the Lower 48. The area holds the majority of the nation's tar sands, and it's estimated the county's shale deposits contain 2 to 3 trillion barrels of oil. While environmentalists have objected to the potential damage caused by the strip mining of tar sands and shale deposits, proponents cite the economic potential. So what do the people in Uintah County have to say? KCPW's Eric Ray caught up with Bill Johnson, Uintah County's Economic Development Executive Director. He says mining of sands and shale may be critical to the area's economic survival:Log on to KCPW-dot-org to view the times and locations of those meetings.

The Bureau of Land Management is holding public meetings today in Salt Lake City and Price to provide information on the Draft Resource Management plans and environmental impact of the development of oil shale and tar sands in Utah. The times and locations of these meetings are listed below:

BLM Office, 2370 South 2300 West, Salt Lake City
2-4 p.m. and, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn, 838 Westwood Blvd. Price
6:30-8:00 p.m.

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