Utah counties sue over halt to new coal leases on fed land
SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah counties have filed a lawsuit challenging a federal halt to granting new coal leases, arguing the moratorium is blocking a mine expansion that could pump millions of dollars into the local economies.
The suit marks the first challenge to the moratorium ordered in January by the Obama administration, attorney Peter Stirba, who represents Kane and Garfield counties, said Monday. The counties claim the moratorium was an arbitrary move that could force the mine to close.