In Utah, the Bureau of Land Management is poised to approve a permit in the southern region of that state for a massive expansion of coal mining. The Sierra Club and a coalition of environmental advocates and concerned Utahns rallied yesterday at the Bureau of Land Management’s Utah office to deliver the signatures of 210,000 people opposed to the Alton coal strip mine expansion. Alton Coal Development LLC has applied for a permit to lease 3,576 acres of land about 10 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park for the project. Bryce Canyon is described by its defenders as one of the last few “pristine and preserved” federally protected spaces left in the nation. They say the strip mine will pollute water and air and may ruin the skyline, famous for dark night skies that sparkle with stars.

Environmentally conscious Angelenos have joined the fight against the Alton expansion because 50% of the energy produced there powers the City of Los Angeles.

On January 27, 2012, Uprising host Sonali Kolhatkar spoke with Evan Gillespie, California Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign about the situation in Utah, and LA’s coal reliance.

Watch a video of the interview here:

Visit www.sierraclub.org for more information.

Martina Steiner recorded this interview.