Utah & U.S. Environment News
Most Recent
Advocates optimistic that Congress could renew downwinder compensation in budget bill
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted June 11 - 8:23 a.m. | Save Story
One year to the day since federal lawmakers let compensation for downwinders expire, advocates say they feel more optimistic than they have in months about getting an expansion of the program through Congress.
Idaho-based energy company to bring 'transformative' nuclear reactor to Utah
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted June 11 - 7:52 a.m. | Save Story
A revolutionary fission nuclear microreactor capable of producing electricity and high-temperature heat is set for a test run at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab.
Mountains are among the planet's most beautiful places. They're also becoming the deadliest
Laura Paddison, CNN | Posted June 11 - 7:32 a.m. | Save Story
Jan Beutel was half-watching a live stream of Kleines Nesthorn, a mountain peak in the Swiss Alps, when he realized its cacophony of creaks and rumbles was getting louder.
Most of Utah is in drought. How will that impact fishing this summer?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 10 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
Utah wildlife officials say drought and lower water levels are possible in some fishing areas this summer, but there are ways to plan ahead.
Why Great Salt Lake faces a 'good news, bad news situation' this year
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 10 - 3:02 p.m. | Save Story
Leaders of the state agency that oversees the health of the Great Salt Lake say they're concerned after the lake's levels peaked about 1½ feet below its highest point last year.
Wasatch Front water managers concerned by new usage trends
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 9 - 7:12 p.m. | Save Story
Utah water managers say they're concerned about new water trends that have emerged as the region's irrigation season has gotten off to a warmer and drier start.
Utah company builds 'modular farms' that conserve water
Mike Anderson, KSL-TV | Posted June 8 - 2:05 p.m. | Save Story
A Utah County startup is building "modular farms" that founders say waste very little water and double as a trout farm.
What do you do if you encounter a moose in the forest?
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted June 8 - 7:33 a.m. | Save Story
Seeing a moose in the wild while hiking or mountain biking is thrilling. But it's also potentially hazardous to your health. You might want to resist the urge to get closer with your cell phone camera.
New Utah exhibit offers unique perspective on mammoth, other aspects of the ice age
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 6 - 3:03 p.m. | Save Story
Natural History Museum of Utah's newest temporary exhibit serendipitously offers a new lens on the state's newest mascot, and how ice changed Utah.
Sandy firefighters help homeowners to reduce wildland fire risk
Andrew Adams, KSL-TV | Posted June 6 - 9:34 a.m. | Save Story
Firefighters know wildfires can happen along the Wasatch Front at any time, and in recent weeks, they have been helping homeowners like Andy Young fortify their properties.
UDOT seeking feedback on trail, road improvements along US 40 in Wasatch, Summit counties
Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com | Posted June 5 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
The Utah Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on trail and road improvements along U.S. 40 in Wasatch and Summit counties.
Why this weekend's Sailfest could be a last hurrah for Great Salt Lake boaters — for now
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 5 - 6:14 a.m. | Save Story
Sailfest is a Great Salt Lake tradition, returning to the lake this weekend. But event organizers fear that this year's event could be the last for the foreseeable future.
Utah's solar industry pushes Senate to reinstate energy tax credits in budget bill
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted June 4 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's solar industry is urging the Senate to reinstate energy tax credits that were cut in the House version of Trump's "big, beautiful" spending and budget bill.
Utah's wildfire risks require 'continuous readiness,' new state report finds
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted June 4 - 3:02 p.m. | Save Story
A new state report, ordered by Gov. Spencer Cox, outlines Utah's wildfire risks and recommendations to prevent future "catastrophic fires."
Mike Lee reportedly trying to bring back sale of Utah public lands in 'big beautiful bill'
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted June 3 - 5:44 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Sen. Mike Lee is reportedly trying to to reintroduce a proposal to let the federal government sell of some public lands in southern Utah and Nevada.
Canadian wildfire smoke causes 'very unhealthy' conditions in Midwest, reaches Europe
Steve Karnowski, Associated Press | Posted June 3 - 3:59 p.m. | Save Story
Smoke from Canadian wildfires created another day of poor air quality in the Midwest, including parts of Minnesota, and is even reaching Europe.
$3M awarded for Forest Legacy project north of Zion National Park
Bryan Barba, Deseret News | Posted June 3 - 10:05 a.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded $3 million for a Forest Legacy project in Washington County during its latest round of funding.
Trump fast-tracks Utah uranium mine, but industry revival may wait for higher prices
Mead Gruver and Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press | Posted June 1 - 10:46 a.m. | Save Story
Environmental reviews of mining operations would typically take months or even years. But it took just 11 days for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to approve the Velvet-Wood uranium mine's plan to resume operations in the desert south of Moab.
Firefighters creating safety zones in Duchesne County ahead of wildfire season
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted May 31 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
The buzzing sound of chainsaws and the crunch of bulldozers are becoming more common in the Pinion Ridge area of Duchesne County, but not for development. It's for safety.
Photo gallery: Salt Lake City students clean up waterway, enjoy a late May day
Kristin Murphy, Deseret News | Posted May 31 - 8:27 p.m. | Save Story
Thursday's field trip had all the best element, as students from Redeemer Lutheran School worked on an environmental conservation project in the heart of Salt Lake City:
Millions of honeybees abuzz after truck overturns in Washington state
Lisa Baumann, Associated Press | Posted May 31 - 6:28 p.m. | Save Story
About 250 million honeybees took to the skies when a commercial truck carrying them overturned in Washington state near the Canadian border.
What is a quagga mussel and why is it bad?
Dennis Romboy, Deseret News | Posted May 31 - 2:43 p.m. | Save Story
The summer boating season brings wakeboarding, fishing and good times on the water. It also brings the dreaded quagga mussel.
Warming Utah temperatures mean more mosquitoes and the work to kill them
Brian Carlson, KSL-TV | Posted May 29 - 5:29 p.m. | Save Story
Grab your bug spray, it's that time of year again. Utah's hotter temperatures are breeding more and more mosquitoes, and it's just getting started.
Why water conservation remains a 'top priority' in Utah after Cox's drought order expires
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 29 - 5:03 p.m. | Save Story
Gov. Spencer Cox's emergency drought declaration has now expired, but state water managers say conservation should "remain a top priority" as summer approaches.
Rocky Mountain Power seeks rehearing after getting a portion of 18% rate increase
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 29 - 4:13 p.m. | Save Story
Rocky Mountain Power has taken the first step in appealing a Utah commission's decision to only award a portion of the company's proposed rate increase.
Gov. Cox creates new council to help prepare Utah for a bright future
Caitlin Keith, Deseret News | Posted May 29 - 3:05 p.m. | Save Story
As the state of Utah continues to grow rapidly, a new coordinating council will bring together various state agencies and other entities to keep quality of life in the state from decreasing.
Daily fishing limit increased at Utah reservoir over low water levels
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 29 - 2:24 p.m. | Save Story
Utah wildlife managers have issued an emergency change to the state's fishing guidebook, doubling the daily number of trout an angler can take from a reservoir in northeast Utah.
Supreme Court limits environmental reviews in Utah railway ruling
Andrew Chung, Reuters | Updated May 29 - 12:44 p.m. | Save Story
The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a setback to environmentalists on Thursday by allowing federal agencies to limit the scope of their review of the environmental impact of projects they regulate, as the justices bolstered a Utah railway project intended to transport crude oil.
How a formerly mothballed mine is breathing new life into Beaver County
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 29 - 6:15 a.m. | Save Story
Milford Mining Company is celebrating a landmark year of unprecedented progress and achievement.
Why John Curtis says the Senate should reconsider rolling back green energy tax credits
Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com | Posted May 27 - 9:06 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Sen. John Curtis says he would like to see changes to rollbacks of green energy credits included in the tax cuts and budget bill passed by the House last week.
Sen. Mike Lee proposes new protections for farmers
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted May 26 - 1:36 p.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mike Lee introduced a bipartisan bill to protect farmers while cutting government spending.
Trouble sending waves over water in Tropic Reservoir
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 25 - 12:21 p.m. | Save Story
The Utah state engineer over water rights is in the middle of peace talks with two different water entities over storage and releases from a reservoir in Garfield County.
Trump seeks to fast-track new nuclear licenses, overhaul regulatory agency
Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters | Posted May 24 - 2:18 p.m. | Save Story
President Donald Trump ordered the nation's independent nuclear regulatory commission to cut down on regulations and fast-track new licenses for reactors and power plants on Friday, seeking to shrink a multiyear process down to 18 months.
Most of Utah's snowpack has melted. What do Utah's reservoirs look like now?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 24 - 12:47 p.m. | Save Story
Utah's reservoirs are looking healthy at the unofficial start of summer, but state water managers say they're tracking trends that could impact future levels.
Trailer carrying high-end sports cars catches fire on I-80 in Tooele County
Andrew Adams, KSL-TV | Posted May 23 - 2:01 p.m. | Save Story
Fire crews said Thursday they were able to quickly stop a fire on I-80 that threatened multiple high-end sports cars inside a trailer, as they cautioned Memorial Day travelers to ensure their vehicles were properly maintained before heading out on the roads.
Controversial proposal to allow sale of federal land in Washington, Beaver counties hits dead end
Tim Vandenack, KSL.com | Posted May 21 - 10:33 p.m. | Save Story
A controversial proposal to let several local governmental entities in Washington County buy around 10,000 acres of federal land to help them contend with growth has hit a dead end.
Utah commission chairman defends approval of Rocky Mountain Power 4.7% rate increase
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 21 - 7:11 p.m. | Save Story
A commission that approves utility rate adjustments across the state says it considered many factors before approving some of Rocky Mountain Power's proposed rate increase.
Why Utah's fire season this year could be 'busier' despite snowpack, forecast
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 21 - 6:18 a.m. | Save Story
Experts say all of Utah could be in for an active fire season this summer despite different weather trends this winter, which is why Utahns should be vigilant over the next few months.
Utah could be in for another hot summer, but will it also be wet or dry?
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 20 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
Utah could be in for another scorching summer, but long-range outlooks offer hope for a productive monsoon season.
Utah to offer loans to agricultural producers as drought lingers over the state
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 20 - 3:00 p.m. | Save Story
Many Utah agricultural producers now have access to a new resource that might help them deal with the state's ongoing drought conditions.
Hawaii is beautiful, but it costs a lot to keep the lights on — especially compared to Utah
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 20 - 10:03 a.m. | Save Story
A new study has revealed just how much your location impacts your energy costs.
Politics and managing the electrical grid do not mix, panelists say
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 19 - 9:57 a.m. | Save Story
The American Council on Renewable Energy made clear the United States has to come to grip with demands on the electrical grid when it comes to powering the nation, especially this summer.
How the Velvet-Wood mine in Utah may help fighter jets
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 18 - 5:09 p.m. | Save Story
The Department of Interior is hoping to turn an old mine in a remote area in San Juan County into a new mine that will aid in building fighter jets.
How to protect yourself from cougars in Utah this summer (we're not talking about you, Cosmo)
Eva Terry, Deseret News | Posted May 18 - 12:15 p.m. | Save Story
The state's Division of Wildlife Resources shares some suggestions on how to stay safe outside this summer, especially from confrontations with cougars.
The Nature Conservancy teaches children to 'become stewards' of Great Salt Lake
Mike Anderson, KSL-TV | Posted May 17 - 5:01 p.m. | Save Story
The Nature Conservancy led fourth graders from Layton's Adams Elementary on a tour of the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve to instill an understanding of the importance of conservation.
With drought already here, Sen. John Curtis aims to help
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 17 - 12:00 p.m. | Save Story
Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., on Tuesday introduced legislation aimed at strengthening water quality and storage infrastructure across the western United States.
Will increased logging help ease southern Utah's wildfire crisis or exacerbate the issue?
Alysha Lundgren, St. George News | Posted May 15 - 10:37 p.m. | Save Story
The Trump administration aims to increase lumber production in the U.S. and simultaneously reduce wildfire risk on federal lands across the country, including Dixie National Forest. However, some are concerned the president's decision could make matters worse.
EPA to rollback 'forever chemical' rule, extend timelines
Valerie Volcovici, Reuters | Posted May 15 - 6:48 a.m. | Save Story
The EPA will rescind much of the Biden administration's first nationwide drinking water standard aimed at protecting people from toxic "forever chemicals."
Mormon crickets take over Holden and Fillmore area
Alex Cabrero, KSL-TV | Posted May 15 - 6:16 a.m. | Save Story
In the small town of Holden, in Millard County, spring has officially arrived — and so have the Mormon crickets.
Bear struck, killed by vehicle near Bear Lake
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 14 - 6:37 p.m. | Save Story
Bear Lake State Park officials are asking drivers to slow down and pay attention after a black bear was recently struck and killed by a vehicle near a popular beach.
Footage shows when dust impacted Salt Lake City air quality
Carter Williams, KSL.com | Posted May 13 - 5:34 p.m. | Save Story
A camera at the University of Utah captured the exact moment a cold front swept through Salt Lake City late Monday, and also how it dropped the city's air quality to unhealthy levels.
Conservation groups protest Maloy's public lands 'sell-off' ahead of geothermal hearing
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted May 12 - 9:03 p.m. | Save Story
Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy and a House subcommittee held a hearing Monday to examine barriers to developing geothermal energy on federally managed lands.
House Republicans look to rollback energy tax credits benefiting Utah businesses, municipalities
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted May 12 - 8:05 a.m. | Save Story
As members of the House Ways and Means committee start to nail down their tax package, energy tax credits that provide relief to Utah business owners and municipalities are at risk.
Conservation doesn't have to be controversial — just ask this man
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 11 - 7:03 p.m. | Save Story
After 44 years on conservation efforts, Dave Livermore was honored recently amid wetlands on the eastern shores of a terminal body of salt water people are so desperately trying to save.
US suspends Mexican cattle, horse and bison imports over screwworm pest
Joey Roulette and Lizbeth Diaz, Reuters | Updated May 11 - 5:43 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Sunday said she is suspending imports of live cattle, horses and bison through the southern U.S. border over the damaging pest New World screwworm.
A Tennessee earthquake rattles homes as far away as Atlanta with 4.1 magnitude
Ben Finley and Bill Cormier, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 7:46 p.m. | Save Story
An earthquake of 4.1 magnitude has been reported in Tennessee and was felt in Atlanta, Ga., and western North Carolina, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and local news reports.
Gravel pits: Not attractive, but you need them
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 10 - 1:10 p.m. | Save Story
The four most populated areas in Utah — Davis, Weber, Salt Lake and Utah counties — have the least amount of potential resources when it comes to sand and gravel.
A Box Elder County farm boy grabs Trump's attention to help farms
Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News | Posted May 10 - 7:50 a.m. | Save Story
Stan Summers is a humble but forthright man, raised in farming, and an advocate for those who do not always speak for themselves. He has been selected to be the USDA rural development state director for Utah.
