In a landmark decision issued today, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the federal environmental review of the Uinta Basin Railway, restoring critical momentum to one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country.
“This decision affirms the years of work and collaboration that have gone into making the Uinta Basin Railway a reality,” said Keith Heaton, Director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, the project’s public partner. “It represents a turning point for rural Utah—bringing safer, sustainable, more efficient transportation options and opening new doors for investment and economic stability. We look forward to continuing our work with all stakeholders to deliver this transformative project.”
This ruling reopens the door for the responsible construction of the 88-mile rail line, which will connect the Uinta Basin to the national freight network. The railway will bring new life to a region in need of long-term economic diversification and access to national markets for oil and gas production.
Spanning Duchesne, Carbon, and Uintah counties — this decision is also beneficial to all rural counties.
Sevier County Commissioner Greg Jensen, a board member of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, shared he is pleased to report that the U.S. Supreme issued the 8-0 decision.
“The decision allows an important and critical project to move forward that ensures continued energy development and production in Utah,” said Jensen. “The decision will also support future water and road projects. It also discourages frivolous lawsuits from environmental groups that have worked to prevent the development of affordable energy costs for the state, region, and the United States as a whole.”
Sevier County is a member of the Coalition and has worked for years to help rural communities develop their natural resources. The project will allow efficient transportation options for the movement of energy products into the country.
Commissioner Jensen stated, “This is a big deal and will help every rural community in the U.S. to fight environmental obstructionists.”
The project has met every environmental law and regulation and has already been granted permits to move forward. This ruling reestablishes the validity of those earlier rulings by federal agencies.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the project will now resume key next steps, including:
- Reauthorization by the Surface Transportation Board (STB): The Coalition will work closely with the STB to reissue construction and operation authority and complete the Endangered Species Act process.
- Federal Permit Reinstatement: The Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Forest Service will be engaged to issue and reinstate right-of-way permits vital to the railway’s alignment.
- Regulatory Compliance: The project remains fully committed to meeting all environmental standards and will continue to engage actively with regulatory agencies and community stakeholders.
- Project Planning and Financing: Finalizing construction plans and securing necessary financing with private-sector partners will ensure the project is delivered efficiently and responsibly.
- Construction Preparation: A phased construction approach will commence once approvals and logistics are finalized, with a focus on balancing infrastructure progress with environmental stewardship.
“We are proud to support and finance an infrastructure project that strengthens America’s economy from the ground up.” Mark Michel, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DHIP Group, the project’s private investment partner, added, “The Uinta Basin Railway represents exactly the kind of forward-looking critical investment our country needs—supporting American energy independence, the growth and development of domestic industrial capacity and providing access to rare earth and other critical minerals by reducing transportation bottlenecks and building lasting value for Utah and the nation.”
The Uinta Basin Railway represents more than a transportation project—it’s a generational investment in Utah’s rural communities. It will enhance quality of life, create new economic opportunities, and promote sustainability across the region.
