Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00323 

Received: 1/18/2021 12:11:36 PM
Commenter: Laura Kent-Jensen
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
I support the No Action Alternative for the Uinta Basin Railway (UBR). I live within the impact study zone, and I am very concerned about air quality because many of my family members have asthma or lung disease. The UBR project would facilitate oil and gas extraction-related activities, resulting in increased exploration, drilling, and overall production. Given the negative effect of these activities on our health and the environment, I believe we should be limiting rather than expanding fossil fuel development. While the trucks currently used for fossil fuel transportation are awful, a railway that makes it easier for developers to increase overall production may result in environmental impacts up to 4 times worse. I am not sure these risks and the cumulative effect of the UBR are adequately reflected in the Environmental Impact Statement. Although I detest the trucks, my hope is that the disadvantages of using trucks will help keep production low until there is less need for fossil fuels because better alternatives are readily available. Additionally, my understanding is that air pollution in the area already exceeds federal standards. If that is the case, we should be working to reduce production or to impose better pollution controls, rather than making it easier for developers to pollute more. It would be irresponsible to pursue a project like the UBR that takes us further from our goals for a clean environment. I am writing these comments because my family's health is at stake.