Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment

Water availability topped the list of concerns in UPHE's recent webinar poll on data centers. Missed our discussion on air pollution, wetlands, water, and data centers in Utah? Watch the recording and explore the Q&A: www.uphe.org/2026/08/24/u... #Utah #DataCenters

This is NOT the place. HF Sinclair is hoping to build a gasoline pipeline through the Parley’s & Emigration Canyon watershed, drinking water for nearly 400,000 people. A leak could threaten groundwater and increase fire risk in a canyon with one exit road.

FINAL REMINDER: Comments on the proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule are due TOMORROW, Oct. 6, by 9:59 p.m. MT. Tell the Forest Service: Keep Roadless Rule protections in place.

No physician would “prescribe” this. UPHE President Dr. Brian Moench examines the public health consequences of prescribed burns after Forest Service burns near Helena, Montana sent PM2.5 readings soaring to 732 µg/m³, and later 789 µg/m³.

AI development is accelerating. So are the warnings. As AI infrastructure expands, Utah is seeing growing pressure for new data centers

“Good luck trying to stop a project that’s already been built.” UPHE’s Dr. Brian Moench spoke with KSL about two EPA proposals that could make it easier for data center projects to move forward while reducing opportunities for public input.

🚨 UTAH: Public hearing TODAY at 3 PM. RUIC is considering millions in Utah public funding connected to West Coast coal export infrastructure, including a proposed Oakland coal terminal. Utahns can comment in Provo, via Zoom or by email.

🚨 The UIPA Board meets TOMORROW. Tooele Valley residents are calling on UIPA to stop funding the Interstate Technology Park data center, already tied to over $100M in public financing, with $100M more on the table. 💧 Water 🔥 Air & energy 💰 Tax dollars 🏗️ Public accountability

🚨 PUBLIC COMMENTS DUE TONIGHT The NRC is considering changes to longstanding radiation safety standards as the Trump administration pushes to accelerate nuclear development. If nuclear power is so safe, why weaken existing public-health protections?

The EPA wants to let states opt out of requirements for public notice and input on air pollution permits for AI data centers. That could leave communities in the dark about pollution and with less ability to fight back. Under no circumstances should this rule change be allowed to stand.

“Our neighborhoods aren’t interested in being a test site.” After hours of public comment, Spanish Fork City Council tabled a data center ordinance. As data center development accelerates across Utah, UPHE continues to call for transparency, public involvement & strong environmental safeguards.

UPHE, HEAL Utah & Downwinders filed an FTC complaint challenging Utah’s taxpayer-funded pro-nuclear ad campaign. Dr. Brian Moench called the ads “an insult to science, an insult to empirical evidence and an insult to logic.”

🚨 TONIGHT in Tooele County The Planning Commission is considering SUB 2026-084, tied to the proposed data center development. Residents are asking the Commission to: ❌ TABLE THE PLAT ⏸️ SUPPORT A DATA CENTER MORATORIUM

🚨 THIS is the scale of what’s being proposed in Tooele County. The developer’s plan includes a 1.85M sq. ft. data center. Major questions about its water, power & environmental impacts remain unanswered. Public hearing TOMORROW - 7 PM.

🚨 The data center battle is heating up in Tooele County. This Wed., the Planning Commission will consider a massive 1.85M sq. ft. data center - with major questions about water, power & environmental impacts still unanswered.

UPHE and our partners are challenging the EPA's hazardous waste combustors rule. The lawsuit argues the rule fails to adequately limit toxic air pollution from hazardous waste incinerators, boilers, and cement kilns, leaving nearby communities exposed to harmful pollutants.

1,100+ Utahns have spoken up. Ahead of today's UIPA Board meeting, a coalition letter signed by more than 1,100 Utahns was delivered calling for stronger protections for Great Salt Lake and policies preventing public financing from supporting data centers in the basin.

🚨 Wildfire smoke is making northern Utah's air unhealthy again. Instead of tackling the climate crisis, Sen. John Curtis is pushing the misleading Fix Our Forests Act—a bill that expands logging while weakening environmental review.

🚨 FINAL DAY TO SIGN Tomorrow, the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) Board meets. Today is your last chance to urge the Board to protect Great Salt Lake by: