Utah Inland Port panel addresses air quality, wetlands and rail funding as growth accelerates

At a Hinckley Institute forum at the University of Utah, Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, joined city officials, academics and rail advocates to discuss how the inland port can balance economic growth with air quality and Great Salt Lake protection.

The panel focused on three connected challenges: local air pollution and winter inversions, long-term threats to the Great Salt Lake and wetlands, and the need for coordinated rail and freight investments to reduce truck traffic. Speakers emphasized the port's limited regulatory authority but highlighted financial tools and recent federal grants as levers for change.

Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, said the authority was created in 2018 “born out of significant controversy” and is currently the target of constitutional lawsuits. He described the port’s twin charter goals as strengthening regional economies and improving logistics to reduce road dependence and truck miles.

Mona Smith, environmental and sustainability director for the Utah Inland Port Authority, described federal funding the port helped secure and the authority’s project-area approach. “Last year we worked directly with the division of air quality as well as Union Pacific … and we were able to win just over $112,000,000,” Smith said, referring to an EPA award the panel said…