(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Utah-mined coal is piled up at the Levan transfer facility along Interstate 15, south of Nephi, where it is loaded on trains bound for California for shipment oversees. Four Utah counties are preparing to invest up to $53 million of state money in a proposed bulk-loading marine terminal proposed on the San Francisco Bay. Their goal is to sell more Utah coal to Japan, but the Oakland project is mired in controversy and lawsuits.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.