Submission Number: UBR-DEIS-00241 

Received: 12/17/2020 12:49:01 PM
Commenter: Michael Budig
Organization: 
State: Utah

Agency: STB
Initiative: Uinta Basin Railway EIS
Attachments: No Attachments
Submission Text
I oppose the proposal to subsidize and build the Uinta Basin Railway (UBR). The subsidy is a misappropriation of the Utah Permanent Community Impact Funds, which are supposed to be used by communities impacted by fossil fuel development to diversify their economy. The proposed railway will necessitate increased drilling and oil extrapolation and result is increased pollution in the Uinta Basin, an area which already suffers from excessive pollution levels. The DEIS only looks at emissions produced directly by the railway construction and operation and fails to address the increased pollution resulting from increased operations which will happen only if the railway is constructed. The DEIS also fails to adequately consider the No-Action Alternative and compare its lack of negative impacts to the adverse impacts of completing the railway. In conclusion, I believe that the $1.5 billion would be more properly spent by directing the funds to rural community development projects. And this would be much more beneficial to economic and environmental quality off the communities and should be directed to sustain their economies.