Utah Moms for Clean Air

The two biggest culprits in Utah’s air pollution problem can be summed up by cars and coal. Coal-fired power plants in Utah and neighboring states contribute greatly to the dangerously unhealthy air we are all breathing. Several new coal-fired power plants are being proposed for Nevada upwind from the Wasatch front. One of them called the Ely Energy Center (EEC) will be just north of Ely, NV. Let’s stamp out the EEC before it even gets off the ground.

If you can’t go to the hearing in Nevada or the poster-making party January 7, but still want to be sure the NDEP knows you don’t want them to grant the permits they intend to grant for this proposed Ely Energy Center, you can submit written comments to

Francisco Vega
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Air Pollution Control
901 South Stewart Street, Suite 4001
Carson City, Nevada 89701-5249
(775) 687-9343
(775) 687-6396 FAX

To read more about the application filed by Sierra Pacific Resources Company for the EEC, go to the NDEP website.

“Air Pollution Control” at the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection:

• 12/27/07, Notice of Proposed Action - Issue an operating permit to construct for a Class I facility. Toquop Energy, LLC Three Riverway Suite 1100 Houston, TX 77056
• 10/31/07, Notice of Proposed Action - Application to issue an operating permit to construct for a Class I facility. Sierra Pacific Resources Company 6226 West Sahara Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89146.

We understand it will be a minority who can make the trip to Ely. If you’d like to make your voice against new coal plants heard in another way, please join us for a “Clean Energy, No Coal, please!” poster-making party for kids and parents. We will make posters and banners for the No Coal Express to take to Ely.

Bring your creative ideas, photos of your children or other relevant photos, and any favorite art supplies. We will provide large poster board, lots of markers and pens, glue sticks, etc. There will be a brief child-oriented discussion of the problems with this coal plant to kick things off. We want to send the message that clean energy is better for everyone and coal is not the answer.

This event is sponsored by Utah Moms for Clean Air.

Date: Monday, January 7
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Place: Sprague Library downstairs meeting room (2131 S 1100 E, SLC)
Contact: Travis Harvey travis@utahmomsforcleanair.org

The two biggest culprits in Utah’s air pollution problem can be summed up by cars and coal. Coal-fired power plants in Utah and neighboring states contribute greatly to the dangerously unhealthy air we are all breathing. Several new coal-fired power plants are being proposed for Nevada upwind from the Wasatch front. One of them called the Ely Energy Center (EEC) will be just north of Ely, NV. Let’s stamp out the EEC before it even gets off the ground.

The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is holding a public hearing in Ely on Wednesday, January 9 regarding the air quality permit being considered for the EEC. An environmental impact study has already been conducted by the NDEP and they are strongly considering granting the permits.

Several groups are arranging to take a busload of Utahns to Ely, NV to attend the public hearing. The bus would depart SLC at approximately 1:00 pm to make the 6:00 pm hearing. Because of the late hour, we would most likely stay in a comfortable hotel in Wendover, NV that would include a buffet breakfast the next morning. Arrival time back in SLC would be approximately 11:00 am, January 10. The maximum cost would be about $40 to $45 per person. Donors are helping to underwrite part of the trip and reduce the cost substantially if not completely. The firm details of cost are yet to be worked out. A small sacrifice of 24 hours of your precious time, and a few dollars could make a dramatic difference in stopping this ugly coal plant.

National media are covering this trip, and a private film company making a documentary on the national movement to stop the coal rush will be taking note. The fact that a busload of people would travel 5 hours to tell a neighboring state that we don’t want their coal emissions is a big message that will resonate loudly across the country to the large financial institutions that may finance such a large project. So, the impact of the trip will be greater than just the outcome of the public hearing.

If you wish to join the No Coal Express, contact Travis Harvey of Utah Moms for Clean Air (travis@utahmomsforcleanair.org) as soon as possible. We ideally need to confirm attendees by January 2.

Post Carbon Salt Lake and the Environmental Ministry of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City are co-sponsoring the First Friday speakers series. Previous speakers include outgoing Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, Dr. Brian Moench of Utah Physicians for a Health Environment, and newly elected Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker.

~~~~ This Friday ~~~~
~~ Utah Moms for Clean Air speak ~~

Date: Friday, January 4th
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Place: First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, SLC

After a quick overview of what Utah Moms for Clean Air have done in 2007 in response to the alarming health effects of dirty air on Utah’s children, we will be addressing several of the projects we are working on for 2008 — Transportation, Diesel School Bus Retrofits, Clean Energy, Coal, and Legislation.

We will talk about practical ways to get involved in Clean Air for Utah.

Come prepared to take action!

‘Utah Moms For Clean Air Expanding’; 11/23/07, KUTV News, Channel 2.
‘Utah Moms for Clean Air Expanding to Davis County’; November 23rd, 2007, KSL News Channel 5.

‘Controlling Air Pollution - Predictions for 2008′: CleanAIR Systems; 12/12/2007′

‘Coal-fired plant gets first-round approval’; Sevier County officials give OK despite heated public opposition
By Brandon Loomis; The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 12/13/2007.

‘Coal power plant proposal in Sigurd wins zoning OK’ 3-2 vote follows emotional debate from opponents: By Jasen Lee; Deseret Morning News Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007.

‘Breathe in those diesel fumes, kids Schools, highways don’t mix’: By Rebecca Walsh
Tribune Columnist Article Last Updated: 12/16/2007.

‘Air quality officials want to zero in Utah’s pollution hot spots’: By Judy Fahys, The Salt Lake Tribun, 12/18/2007.

‘People here are not dumb’, The Richfield Reaper Public Forum Letter; Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

‘Nevada Plants Worry Some in Utah’ By BROCK VERGAKIS Associated Press Writer Dec. 19, 2007.

‘Utahns Rally Against Nevada Power Plants’ Dec 19, 2007 by Julie Rose KCPW New.

Tuesday, December 18, is anticipated by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to be a Yellow Air Quality Action Day.

You can get updates on air quality by calling the Air Pollution Hotline below (updated twice daily), or check the national Air Now site (updated every hour or so).

More information is also available on the Air Pollution Hotline. Air Quality conditions are updated twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
1. Residents in Salt Lake and Davis counties may call (801) 975-4009.
2. Residents in Utah and Weber counties may call (800) 228-5434.
3. Residents in Cache County may call (435) 792-6612.

In her Dec 16th column in the Salt Lake Tribune, Rebecca Walsh wrote, “Breathe in those diesel fumes, kids: Schools, highways don’t mix.” She provided an interesting overview of the health effects when children live and go to school near highways, an issue Salt Lake and Davis County residents have struggled with recently.

• “Breathe in those diesel fumes, kids: Schools, highways don’t mix,” Rebecca Walsh, Salt Lake Tribune, December 16, 2007.

Today is a “Choose Clean Air” day, on which the Department of Environmental Quality has asked for Yellow Air Quality Action. This means:

• you are asked not to burn wood today, and
• you are asked to drive less today.

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has called a ‘Choose Clean Air’ day for Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber Counties for Monday, December 17, 2007. The Bear River District Health Department has called a GREEN day for Cache County.

Because this is a moderate air quality day, “Unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion.”

For more information and updates, visit Utah DEQ at Choose Clean Air.