This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The federal Bureau of Land Management's notice that it likely will approve nearly 4,000 natural gas wells in the Uinta Basin marks another step toward replacing Utah's old-line power plants with a platter of gas, solar, wind and geothermal energy sources.

It also marks a remarkable collaborative effort between the feds, companies, environmentalists, tribal governments and local communities to make sure that, as far as possible, the land and air are protected even as the gas is extracted.

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., in cooperation with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, would also protect the proposed White River wilderness area, its wildlife and conservation easements on land around the river.

Uinta Basin residents and workers also will get something out of the deal: jobs, economic development and emission controls on existing and new drilling equipment.

That last part of the bargain is hugely important because the Uinta Basin and other western oil and gas fields have long been suspected of producing winter ozone pollution that is dangerous for the young, old and ill. Of course, it's also not good for anyone who lives in and around the fields.

If all the wells are developed over the next 10 years, they'll provide a big boost to the state's energy industry.

I hope that boost also would help ease Utah's dependence on coal. Much as I revere the good people of coal country, I believe the time will come when natural gas, solar, wind and geothermal energy will provide much cleaner energy and the jobs that go with them.

Kennecott Utah Copper, for example, has obtained permits to largely convert its coal-fired power plant to natural gas, which would double its efficiency and reduce emissions over the Salt Lake Valley.

In the Uinta Basin, all the parties took the time and energy to sit down and talk things over. It was, as Utah BLM Director Juan Palma put it, "an example of what is possible when all parties work together to find common ground."

We could use more of that collaborative problem solving in pretty much all aspects of modern life. In finding common ground on how to protect our land, water, wildlife and the health and safety of all of us, it's essential.

Peg McEntee is a news columnist. Reach her at pegmcentee@sltrib.com, facebook.com/pegmcentee and Twitter, @pegmcentee.