A proposal to invest some $53 million in the form of a loan into the construction of a port in Oakland, Calif., came under fire last week by environmentalist groups in and out of the state of Utah. The proposed port project would allow four counties — Sevier, Sanpete, Carbon and Emery — the ability to ship goods internationally. The Utah Permanent Community Impact Fund Board approved the $53 million loan in April. The project would give the four counties a right to use 49 percent of the port’s capacity for trans-Pacific shipping. This could include shipping of salt, potash, agricultural goods and other products.
However, since one of the key factors in all four counties is the coal industry, the proposal has drawn the ire of environmental activists. A letter signed by representatives of the Center for Biological Diversity, Grand Canyon Trust, the Sierra Club and Earthjustice last week urged Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes to invalidate the proposed loan. Richfield Reaper
