Uintah County Deputy Attorney Jon Stearmer visited the Evans Family Media studios last week to lend his expertise on the topic of the Uinta Basin Railway. In June 2024, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case concerning the Uinta Basin Railway project. Despite securing the proper permits, environmental lawsuits led to the project’s halt. The case now before the Supreme Court has significance not only for the citizens of the Uintah Basin but will likely affect infrastructure projects nationwide. Stearmer has been on the forefront of this project as legal counsel to the 7 County Infrastructure Coalition. He explained that it is believed the Supreme Court took the case because they had already laid down precedent on the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act 25 years ago but the DC Circuit Court of Appeals did not follow that precedent when it overturned the Uinta Basin Railway permits. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals hears most of the NEPA cases, shared Stearmer, and it is having a very negative affect on all infrastructure projecst, including Green energy projects like windmills and solar panels. 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. The deadline for filings in support just passed and 25 of 50 states filed in favor of the Uinta Basin Railway position. Only 1 percent of cases are even taken up by the Supreme Court so Stearmer considers it a great sign that the Uinta Basin Railway case is among them. He also emphasized that normally the briefing stage would have 6 to 10 organizations file in support while they have nearly double that with up to 45 national entities names on it. The interview with Jon Stearmer also touches on other local topics. It can be listened to by visiting www.BasinNow.com and clicking on Public Affairs under the Community tab.
