The case concerning the Uinta Basin Railway project has officially been placed on the Supreme Court’s schedule. On October 18th, the Supreme Court’s Proceedings and Orders page scheduled the case ‘Set For Argument’ on Tuesday, December 10th. October 18th was also the day that Eagle County, Colorado and the environmental groups opposed to the rail project submitted their briefs to the court concerning the case. In June 2024, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case concerning the Uinta Basin Railway project. Uintah County Deputy Attorney Jon Stearmer is among the legal counsel to the 7 County Infrastructure Coalition and he believes the Supreme Court took the case because they had already laid down precedent on the scope of NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act, 25 years ago. When the DC Circuit Court of Appeals did not follow that precedent it overturned the Uinta Basin Railway permits which he says has resulted in a negative effect on infrastructure projects across the nation. Stearmer says their use of NEPA to drive rather than inform decisions has far reaching effects and support for the Uinta Basin Railway position has been massive. Normally, the briefing stage would have 6 to 10 organizations file in support while they have many more with the names of up to 45 national entities on it. An interview with Jon Stearmer can be listened to by visiting www.BasinNow.com and clicking on Public Affairs under the Community tab.
