Utah Coal Strip Mine Fast-Tracked?

11.20.2009 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) Conservation groups challenging a permit for Utah’s first coal strip mine are now questioning whether it was inappropriately fast-tracked after Alton Coal Development met with Governor Gary Herbert and Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Director John Baza. Clair Jones with the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club says this could have scary implications for the state’s environment, if indeed Herbert fast-tracked the permitting process.

“It’s a little disturbing to think that it’s OK in Utah for the industry to get annoyed with a process that’s there for a reason and has a specific timeline for a specific reason and to bypass that process by going to the governor and asking for help,” Jones says.

However, Division spokesman Jim Springer says Alton Coal Development first requested the permit for the strip mine near Panguitch three years ago and that the decision was all but finalized when the company met with the governor and the Division to ask why it was taking so long. Springer says the proposal was approved because Alton Coal had met all of the statutory requirements. Springer says the strip mine near Panguitch was sped up by 20 or 30 days at most. But is that the result of improper fast-tracking of the permit? “No,” says Springer.

“Absolutely not,” He says. “The governor did not in any way shape or form direct our Director John Baza or the division to expedite the permit.”

The Sierra Club and three other conservation groups are challenging the permit, saying the strip mine will significantly impact air and water quality, wildlife habitat and cultural resources in the surrounding area, including in Bryce Canyon National Park.