A railway project designed to move oil and gas across eastern Utah has received millions in grant money from a fund designed to mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels.
A proposed fossil fuel railwayin Utah is receiving $28 million toward an environmental impact survey that will help push the project forward, but opponents argue that the grant defies the mission of the agency distributing it.
The Utah Permanent Community Impact Fund, created to "alleviate the boom and bust cycle of energy production" and help communities recover from the effects of oil drilling and mineral extraction, has traditionally granted funds for public infrastructure projects like medical facilities and road improvements. The Center for Biological Diversity and Living Riversare suing to block the grant from contributing to more fossil fuel infrastructure in the state, arguing that using the money to develop the railroad goes against the intended purpose of the fund. Residents concerned about potential erosion, mudslides, and fires caused by construction activities want to see the money used for mitigating measures, and opponents of the railway argue that any short-term benefits to the local economy are outweighed by the risks to local wildlife, habitats, and communities.
The lawsuit, if successful, could set stricter standards for how mitigation funds like the Community Impact Fund distribute grants and prevent revenue meant for community projects from ending up with fossil fuel corporations.
Read the full story: Lawsuit over proposed fossil fuel railway in Utah moves forward
Drilling, seismic surveys in Alaska would require no environmental review under new Trump proposal
Seismic surveys can scar tundra and disturb wildlife, including female polar bears, and drilling has been known to alter caribou behavior and Arctic migration patterns.
Nevada sues feds to block Colorado River cuts
The federal government’s newly released plan for managing the Colorado River’s dwindling water supply could cause Nevada to lose over 70% of its allocated water.
Feds say Arizona, California and Nevada must cut Colorado River water use by 1.25 million acre-feet
The new plan does not apply mandatory cuts to any of the river’s upper basin states.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority