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SW: →Governors request federal funding for "clean coal": added SUWA complaint
===Governors request federal funding for "clean coal"===
On February 22, 2009, the governors of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming submitted a letter to President Obama asking for funding to develop "clean coal" projects in their states. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, and Wyoming Gov. Dave Fruedenthal, argued that developing a cleaner way to burn coal is essential to reducing emissions, protecting national security, and creating jobs. The letter also said that the Energy Policy Act of 2005 approved federal cost sharing for a clean-coal demonstration project using coal mined in the West, but that no project was ever funded. According to the governors, the three states are ready to start developing new demonstration projects and retrofitting existing plants with carbon capture and storage technologies.<ref>[http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2009/feb/23/governors-call-clean-coal-funding/ "Governors call for clean-coal funding,"] Associated Press, February 23, 2009.</ref>
===Environmental Group Questions Mining Board Makeup===
In March, 2010 the [[Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance]] (SUWA) challenged the Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining board stating that any members with financial interests in coal mining should recuse themselves from decisions on [[Alton Coal Development]]'s mine-reclamation plan. The Oil, Gas & Mining board countered that the board makeup is governed by the Utah Coal Act, which the federal government has certified. But SUWA argues the federal [[Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act]] requires land board members to certify they have no financial stake in matters before the agency. If they do have such an interest, stated SUWA attorney Steve Bloch, then they must refrain from voting on the issue.<ref>[http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14743156 "SUWA questions makeup of state mining board"] Patty Henetz, ''The Salt Lake Tribune'', March 23, 2010.</ref>
==Proposed coal plants==
