HEAL Utah Podcast

Matt chats with Ben about the origins and current operations of Salt Lake’s bike share program, which now has 33 stations in and around downtown and 141,000 rides in 2016. They talk about how GREENbike is funded, the demographics of the program’s ridership and the challenges the program has faced, including how to serve a more economically diverse group of riders. For more information check out recent articles about GREENbike in Catalyst, Slug Magazine and the Deseret News. And to find out more about the program, including how to buy a membership, check out GREENbike’s Web site and its presence on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Matt chats with Nazz, the CEO of Petzl America, about the outdoor company, its products and its involvement in policy issues. They talk first about Petzl’s history and products, and how the company makes gear not just for rock climbers, but for anyone who works in “a vertical environment,” from firefighters to window washers. Nazz then talks about the company’s decision to be a strong voice on important health and environmental issues, from air quality to the health of the Colorado River to protecting Bears Ears. Lastly, they chat about the recent announcement that the Outdoor Retailer shows will be leaving Utah, and Nazz’ disappointment with the development. For more information about Petzl, check out its Website, its Facebook page and on Instagram.

The Matts chat about the very timely issues of health care and health coverage in Utah, focusing on UHPP‘s valuable advocacy. Slonaker speaks to how, while Utah’s uninsured rates has improved in recent years, it is still higher than other states with similar populations and demographics. He compares how the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) has helped Utah families, with how the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare) is projected to reduce coverage. The two Matts also discuss how certain populations, such as refugees, the LGBT community, and those who speak English as a second language, face challenges accessing the health care system. For more information on UHPP, check out their Website, Facebook page and Twitter feeds.

Laura joins Matt in the studio to discuss all things related to water in the Salt Lake Valley. As the Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, her role is focused on ensuring that 350,000 residents reliably receive clean drinking water and can flush their toilets with sound mind that their waste will be properly disposed of. Laura describes the importance of our canyon streams to providing drinking water, her role in protecting the source waters of the Wasatch Front, and how the Department is preparing for climate change, which is a real concern for water security here in the Salt Lake Valley. She touches on the progress being made with the recent Salt Lake County Mountain Accord, and concludes with insight to how Salt Lake can be a leader in water resource planning going forward. Join Matt and Laura in their dynamic discussion of the challenges that face water in Utah!

This week, Joan speaks with Matt about her time as the Senior Policy Advisor for EPA Region 8 under former President Obama from 2013-2016. Joan worked closely with Shaun McGrath, former Region 8 Administrator, who will be joining HEAL as the keynote speaker for our 2017 Spring Breakfast in May. During her tenure at the EPA, Joan was responsible for ensuring Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act were carried out in Region 8, contributed to the development of the Clean Power Plan and Obama’s Climate Action Plan, and worked closely with tribal governments on issues surrounding oil and gas development. Join us as she and Matt discuss the role of the EPA in ensuring clean air and a healthy environment along the Wasatch Front, the sea change of the current Administration and how this could affect the EPA, and the ways the EPA is looking to the future. She concludes with a taste of what Shaun will bring to the Spring Breakfast – get your tickets here! Be sure to listen!

Matt chats with the founder and namesake of Ken Sanders Rare Books. They discuss how the history of environmentalism and literature in Utah have often gone together, discussing such literary giants such as Edward Abbey and Wallace Stegner. Ken reminisces about his time spent with these great writers, and describes how he came to be an early founder and activist with Earth First!. They then chat about books, including the brisk trade in first edition Book of Mormon. He also bemoans the fact that, because of Salt Lake City’s growing gentrification, his iconic store on 200 East in Salt Lake City faces eviction within a couple years. Despite that, Ken has faith in the future of the book, insisting that books have a lasting, tangible presence that electronic copies cannot hope to emulate. Lastly, Ken delights listeners with a powerful reading of “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front,” by farmer, poet and activist Wendell Berry.

Natalie joins Matt to chat about Sage Mountain Farm Animal Sanctuary. As the Director of Communications (and a doctoral student within Environmental Sociology and Gender at the University of Utah), Natalie works to challenge the current food system through educational programs and creating a physical space for rescued farm animals. This organization hosts pot lucks and Thirsty Thursdays throughout Utah as a way to create community and have conversations about environmental degradation, water consumption, and animal cruelty associated with the current US food system. Natalie acknowledges the personal resistance to changing our diet stems from a fear of discomfort and an adherence to family traditions. However, each of us can make small shifts in what we consume – THREE times a day. Changes can be incremental: swap nut milk for diary or abstain from meat one or two days a week. We each have the power to make conscious choices about the food we eat.

Matt chats with Cheryl about her organization’s work protecting and preserving land in Park City, Summit County and beyond. They talk primarily about the current drive to preserve Bonanza Flats, a 1,350 acre parcel in the Wasatch which will be developed if local governments and nonprofits can’t raise $38 million by June 15. After a huge commitment from Park City—of $25 million— and significant gifts from others (if not Salt Lake County), the broad coalition fighting to preserve the land is now about $3 million short. Cheryl also discussed how quickly the Park City area has grown and changed and her organization’s many successes in preserving key land around the area, including the popular Round Valley area. For more information, or to donate to Bonanza Flats, visit the land conservancy’s Website.

Matt chats with Ryan about his work advocating for clean air and for the Utah solar industry over the past few years. First, Ryan talked about his efforts with the Salt Lake Chamber pushing good clean air programs. Ryan then discusses how he came to be the solar association’s new President, and the group’s growing program and influence. They then move to talk about some current issues, including the recent battle over a proposal to get rid of a state tax credit which supports rooftop solar. Lastly, they talk about 2017’s biggest solar fight, which is the decision about whether to approve Rocky Mountain Power’s three proposed fees which would make rooftop solar unaffordable to most Utah families. For more information about Ryan and his work, check out the website of the Utah Solar Energy Association, their Twitter and Facebook.

Matt has a wide-ranging chat with Erin about air quality, politics and homelessness. They discuss Erin’s tenure at Breathe Utah and the historic climate goals Salt Lake City has committed to. They then turn to discussing a high profile local issue — homeless shelters and Erin’s concerns about the (now cancelled) Simpson St. shelter. In the immediate aftermath of a new agreement about the shelters, which the City Council was shut out of, Erin discusses the often-frosty relationship between Mayor Biskupski and the council. To find out more about Erin’s work on the council, and to sign up for her regular newsletters, click here.