(KCPW News) A lobbyist for Utah energy interests has recommended that the state defend itself from the Sage-Grouse. To explain that proposal, here’s KCPW’s Ryan Cunningham. Correction: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior designates endangered species, not the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA does, however, address environmental impact issues…
Segment 1: The Colorado River, which flows 1,450 miles through the desert Southwest, provides life-giving water to 30 million people. But climate change, a booming population and competing interests are threatening the waterway. A new film highlights the issues and supports an ethical shift in thinking about water distribution. On Monday, we hear about “Watershed”…
A closed-door meeting in late March of officials from several counties in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, along with lobbyists for the oil shale industry, has raised questions about the connections between the industry and public officials. And those connections have been investigated by groups like the Checks and Balances Project, which calls itself a government and industry watchdog.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert is jumping on the idle-free bandwagon with a new executive order for state employees to turn off the ignition when they’re not driving. KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports on what the new policy means.
Utah Congressmen Jim Matheson and Jason Chaffetz were among House lawmakers voting this morning in favor of a motion to move the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline forward as part of a transportation bill. Speaking on the house floor last night, Matheson said contrary to what many believe, this product is already being transported to the United States.
International regulators and experts on nuclear power plant safety have converged in Salt Lake City. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, representatives from 37 countries are here to talk about increased safety expectations following last year’s meltdown in Japan.
Natural gas development is about to increase significantly in Utah. Tuesday, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar approved a major drilling project the Obama Administration says will create thousands of jobs while protecting the environment. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on the compromises made to protect wildlife and air quality throughout the project.
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has a new energy advisor and at least one environmental group is already calling foul. Herbert announced today that Cody Stewart, who’s currently serving as Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell’s Chief of Staff, will help the governor increase energy development in the state. But as KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, HEAL Utah says his interests are with big oil and gas.
Salt Lake City is partnering with five other Wasatch Front cities and counties to launch the “Wasatch Solar Challenge” after receiving a $400,000 Department of Energy grant aimed at reducing the cost of developing solar energy.
Usually, political candidates who want to go to Washington pledge to put Utah first. But University of Utah engineering professor Joe Andrade, a candidate for the state’s 2nd Congressional District, says he’d put Utah third. He’s says it’s the planet that comes first.
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