This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The article on protecting energy from conservationists shows once again how energy companies will do anything, including writing legislation, to bolster their coffers with taxpayer money to get their hands on our land and ruin it with industrial waste and human clutter ("Utah lawmakers look to amass environmental war chest," Tribune, Nov. 19).
In essence they are forcing the public to pay for the desecration of their own lands. If there are more than 100 potential endangered species listings in Utah alone, I wonder how many endangered species Jeff Hartley and Sen. David Hinkins think it would take to warrant protection for them and their habitat.
We will see what happens with this notion, as more and more citizens unite in defense of their lands. Perhaps our governor might form a committee to weigh the legality of such actions; there must be something in this for committee members to make their living from as well.
Hugh Culley
Murray