Kennecott expansion and air quality problems in the valley

A friend of mine provided the following information and asked me to share with my readers and urge you to pass it along to others as well.


Kennecott is requesting approval to expand their ore removal operation which, among other things, will result in increased pollutants in the Salt Lake valley.  A speaker at a meeting my friend attended stated that Kennecott is already responsible for 30 percent of the pollution in the valley.  If they are allowed to expand as requested, that contribution will increase accordingly, and we will either have a big increase in dirty air or will have to find other ways of reducing pollution that already reaches unacceptable levels many times during the year.  This is a matter of health for all of us and our families. 

Here’s the website for the Utah Division of Air Quality regarding the proposed approval of Kennecott’s request to expand their ore removal efforts by 25%. It explains the expected increase in pollutants.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Permits/DOCS/IN0105710028-11.pdf

There will be a Public Hearing at 6 :00 pm, Tuesday, February 22, 2011, Utah Air Quality Boardroom 1015, 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Please send your written or e-mailed comments by close of business on March 8 to: Nando Meli Jr., Engineer, Phone: (801) 536-4052, e-mail: nmeli@utah.gov, or the address above. Put this number on all correspondence: DAQE-IN0105710028-11.