Credit: NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr

Utah introduces new regulations for mineral extraction at the Great Salt Lake

A recent bill passed by the Utah Legislature introduces significant changes to the regulation of mineral extraction at the Great Salt Lake, aiming to address the lake's declining water levels.

Brooke Larsen reports for High Country News.

In short:

The bill, known as HB 453, introduces more stringent water use regulations to protect the Great Salt Lake from further decline.
It increases the severance tax on mineral extraction and requires companies to report water usage and salinity levels.
Despite some environmental groups' concerns, the legislation is seen as a crucial step towards sustainable management of the lake's resources.

Key quote:

“This is a good step forward, a necessary step forward, but we can’t let it distract us from the fact that they (state leaders) are not getting water to the lake, and this bill does not get water to the lake.”

— Chandler Rosenberg, deputy director of the Great Basin Water Network

Why this matters:

Advocates tout this as a potential shift in Utah's traditionally industry-friendly stance towards resource allocation and extractive development in the Great Salt Lake Basin. Critics contend that the legislation gives regulatory certainty to industry and does nothing to solve the ongoing western water crisis.

www.ehn.org

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Utah introduces new regulations for mineral extraction at the Great Salt Lake

North Carolina prisoners endured nearly a week of flooding, filth and neglect after Hurricane Helene

FEMA pushes back on false claims about funding for hurricane relief

The Supreme Court allows new EPA regulations on mercury and methane emissions to proceed

The Supreme Court takes aim at environmental regulations this term

The petrochemical sector faces a prolonged downturn and a shift toward sustainability

Hurricane Helene’s flooding raises concerns over private well water safety

The Pennsylvania Senate debate spotlights fracking, clean energy and steel industry issues

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”