Utah
Shipping coal from Utah to export to Asia through a new cargo facility in Oakland, California took a significant step forward on May 15 with a strongly worded ruling condemning the adequacy of the city of Oakland's environmental analysis.
KQED: California Report
As the Department of the Interior auctions off 'vast swaths' of American wilderness to oil and gas companies, fiscal conservatives and conservationists alike wonder if it’s the right thing at the right time.
Houston Chronicle
Though he’s opened land all over the U.S. to industry, the Interior Secretary is actually pushing to conserve even more of his home state.
The New York Times
Dan Vock of Governing takes a broad look at congestion pricing, beginning with the success of Virginia's 66 Express Lanes, the ones where tolls initially topped $40. Notwithstanding complaints, managed lanes are spreading, but challenges remain.
Governing
Among other substantive reforms, Senate Bill 136 changes the name and branding of the Utah Transit Authority.
Fox 13
The state's widespread practice of supplying unlimited untreated water to homes may be part of the reason it has to spend billions on a new pipeline and dam.
Water Deeply
After passing both houses of state government, a "free range kids" law to allow children to walk to school and play outside unsupervised is headed to the governor's office in Utah.
USA Today
The Utah Transit Authority ran a one-time Fare-Free-Friday in December, thanks to sponsorship by the Salt Lake City Council and the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office. Another sponsor will be needed to support any future iterations of Fare-Free-Friday.
KUTV
The last time Salt Lake City adopted a housing plan, the city's population was declining. Now booming in population, the city is setting a course to build lots of new housing supply.
The Salt Lake Tribune
The controversy regarding the federal protection of public lands in the American west is heading into new territory as President Trump tests the limits of presidential powers.
The Washington Post
Utah's I-15 express lanes are suffering PM peak-hour congestion. The maximum charge is $1 per zone. The Transportation Commission will vote to double it, but the chair of a key legislative committee suggests charging "what the market will bear."
The Salt Lake Tribune
Although no U.S. region has yet to even get halfway to sustainability goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement, certain U.S. cities are doing better than the rest.
CityLab
Salt Lake City has an ambitious transit master plan on the table. Now the funding is necessary to back up that ambition.
The Salt Lake Tribune
The National Park Service is looking for solutions to overcrowding at its most popular parks. The idea of an online reservation system might get its first test in Utah.
Associated Press via The Mercury News
Documenting the effects of climate change on the West's most vital source of water.
The Conversation
Already California, Indiana, Montana, South Carolina (overriding a governor's veto), Tennessee, and Utah* have raised gas taxes this year, while last year was a drought—only New Jersey increased its gas tax.
The Council of State Governments
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, in an early decision to come of a nationwide review of national monument designations, recommends that President Trump reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument.
The Wall Street Journal
The hot new wheels of choice for little ones to learn how to ride bikes are called balance bikes. "Welcome to the Tour de France of Toddler Racing," says the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal
The fate of 26 national monuments hangs in the balance, as the Interior Department holds a review process. Public comment is open until July 10.
CNBC
The Executive Order does not roll back the Antiquities Act nor rescind any designations made by presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, or Obama, but does call for their review if over 100,000 acres. President Trump feels that the act has been misused.
The Washington Post
