News & Reviews News Wire State judge dismisses suit by environmental groups over Uinta Basin Railway funding

State judge dismisses suit by environmental groups over Uinta Basin Railway funding

By Trains Staff | July 19, 2022

| Last updated on February 2, 2024

Ruling finds project will provide ‘numerous benefits’ to area

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Logo of Uinta Basin RailwaySALT LAKE CITY — A Utah state judge has dismissed a suit seeking to block state funding for the Uinta Basin Railway project, finding nothing improper in use of the funds.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports Third District Judge Adam Mow concluded the $28 million in grants ticketed for the rail project from the Utah Community Impact Board Fund was properly awarded. The Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups had contended the funding did not provide the intended support for essential public services.

But Mow, in his ruling, said the rail project “will result in numerous benefits to the communities, public governments, and private sector actors within the Basin.”

While the funds are awarded as grants, the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, the organization driving the rail project, has pledged to pay back the money.

4 thoughts on “State judge dismisses suit by environmental groups over Uinta Basin Railway funding

  1. Amazing how nothing gets done in the USA. There is always a special interest group and ultimately it comes down to politics. Call the World when the USA, wants to conduct business in a sustainable environmentally friendly manner.

    1. This is using public money to partially fund a dubious private benefit. If this is such a good project why won’t private capital do the whole job?

    2. Because then the “public” can hold same private entity accountable throughout since they have skin in the game.

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