The Supreme Court will decide if a key approval for the Uinta Basin Railway project in Utah can be reinstated, affecting local oil transport and production.
Mark Sherman and Mead Gruver report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The Uinta Basin Railway would connect Utah oil producers to larger markets, boosting daily crude shipment by 350,000 barrels.
- Environmental groups and Colorado officials oppose the project due to spill risks and increased fossil fuel use.
- The Supreme Court will determine if the Surface Transportation Board's environmental review was adequate.
Key quote:
“This project is vital for the economic growth and connectivity of the Uinta Basin region and we are committed to seeing it through.”
— Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition
Why this matters:
The decision impacts economic growth in rural Utah and environmental safety in Colorado. Approval could increase oil production and transport, raising climate change concerns.
