11/19/09

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ Utah regulators put the decision on a
strip mine permit on the fast track after the coal operator
complained to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert that they were taking too
long.

A memo written by a state regulator and obtained by The
Associated Press shows the company met with Herbert in September
and that the result of the meeting was that regulators would hurry
a decision.

Conservation groups are challenging the permit that lets Alton
Coal Development LLC mine two million tons of coal a year in
private lands south of Panguitch. Alton Coal also is seeking
permission to mine surrounding federal lands.

Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Director John Baza tells AP
that he sat in on the governor's meeting and volunteered to
expedite a decision without pressure from Herbert.

Herbert's office referred calls to Baza.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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