Letter: California is being punished for its good deeds
Brian Maffly | The Salt Lake Tribune
Rocky Mountain Power operates a "research farm" near its Huntington Power Plant in central Utah. According to allegations raised by HEAL Utah, the utility irrigates these fields with runoff contaminated from coal ash it stores nearby in two landfills. This waste, generated from burning coals for the past 40 years, poses an illegal threat to groundwater, the group alleges in a letter to RMP parent PacifiCorp.
The phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” applies to California.
California is trying to reduce carbon emissions by making energy from coal-fired power plants more expensive, but the Utah Legislature set aside $1.65 million to sue California over its fee on power from coal-fired plants.
California wanted to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals and passed a law that states, “Eggs sold in California must be from hens that have space to lie down, stand up, turn around and fully extend their wings.” On behalf of egg farmers, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is suing California over this law.
It’s too bad that California is being sued for trying to help farm animals and the environment.
Russell Patterson, West Valley City
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