Utah Geological Survey

New Geologic Maps of Southern Portions of the Uinta Mountains Now Available

Two new geologic maps near Vernal, Utah have been released. The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) recently published two 1:24,000-scale geologic maps covering a part of the south flank of the Uinta Mountains near Vernal. These maps provide data useful to consultants/land-use managers to address geologic hazard and resource issues; they will also be of interest to educators and others simply interested in learning about the fascinating geology of the Vernal area.

“The Dry Fork and Steinaker quadrangles contain some of the most scenic and geologically diverse landscapes in the southern Uintas,” said Doug Sprinkel, UGS geologist. “These quadrangles reflect that diversity and provide basic geologic information for the popular Steinaker Reservoir, the Red Cloud Loop Drive, and the spectacular Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway.”

READ MORE

GET THEM HERE
MP 10-3
MP 10-4

Utah Geological Survey

DNR Map & Bookstore Goes Online

Shopping is now easier at the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore. The store, known for its extensive collection of topographic and recreational maps, now provides easy-to-use online shopping for its customers. The Web site is: mapstore.utah.gov.

“Our customers who have been frustrated by the construction on the North Temple viaduct and TRAX rail will be able to shop at their own convenience,” said Pat Stokes, bookstore manager.

“The Web site is a wonderful resource for anyone unable to visit the store during our regular business hours or those who live out-of-state.”

VISIT SITE

Utah Geological Survey
,

Summary of 2009 Utah Mineral Released

Utah’s mineral extraction industry recorded a successful year on 2009, according to a recently released publication.

The Utah Geological Survey’s (UGS) 2009 Summary of Mineral Activity in Utah publication reveals that despite a recession induced dip from peak commodity values in 2008, Utah ranked third nationally in the value of nonfuel minerals produced in 2009, accounting for about 7% of the total value of U.S. production. Utah mines and energy companies produced a gross value of $6.97 billion in mineral and energy commodities in 2009 from oil gas (37%), base metals (31%), industrial minerals (14%), coal-uranium (9%), and precious metals (9%). All sectors suffered a dip from mid-2008, except for precious metals which expanded on higher prices.

READ MORE

GET IT HERE

READ REPORT

Utah Geological Survey
,

UTAH HOME PERFORMANCE PAYS FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT RETROFITS

Paying for home improvements that increase energy efficiency just got easier for Utah residents. A new program, Utah Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, will pay cash rebates to Utah homeowners to help offset the cost of retrofits that save energy and money.

Jason Berry, Utah State Energy Program Manager oversees Utah Home Performance.  He anticipates high demand for the program which covers up to 50% or 80% of the energy-efficient home improvements.

“We expect to perform almost 2,800 comprehensive, Home Performance assessments across the state,” Berry said.

“Having a Home Performance assessment is a great opportunity for Utah residents to find out how they can make their homes more comfortable and healthier for their families. These assessments let homeowners know what improvements will provide the greatest savings.”

READ MORE

RELATED LINKS
Utah Home Performance
Utah State Energy Program

Utah Geological Survey

CASH REBATES FOR SOLAR AND WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS

A new cash rebate incentive program for solar and wind energy systems begins today. The Utah State Energy Program (USEP) announced applications are now available for Utah residents, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations interested in generating renewable energy. The rebate amounts cover approximately 25 percent of the cost of a typical residential system.

“This program will stimulate employment in grid-tied renewable energy construction and increase distributed renewable energy capacity,” said Chris Tallackson, Incentives Coordinator.
READ MORE

RELATED LINKS

Renewable Energy Rebate Program
Utah State Energy Program

Utah Geological Survey
,

A CLOSE CALL IN ROCKVILLE

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) was notified of a large rock fall in Rockville, Utah Wednesday morning that damaged several buildings.  Geologists say it could have been much worse and are worried about the possibility of second boulder breaking loose.

Around 7:30 a.m., a boulder estimated to be 35-feet by 30-feet by 30-feet broke loose and rolled down a hill toward the home that Tamara Burton was renting.

Tyler Knudsen and Bob Blackett, UGS geologists, were asked by Rockville Mayor Alan Brown to investigate what happened.  According to air photos, the boulder had been there for at least four years after detaching from a ledge and sliding about 20 feet and coming to a rest on a 45-degree slope above Burton’s home.

READ MORE

IN THE MEDIA

Salt Lake Tribune
KSL.com
Deseret News
ABC4.com
Local8news.com
The Spectrum
Los Angeles Times
Atlantic Journal Constitution

Utah Geological Survey

A CALL FOR HOME ENERGY RETROFIT GRANT APPLICATIONS

Utah is making a multi-million dollar investment in residential energy efficiency. The Utah State Energy Program (USEP) has issued a Request for Grant Applications (RGA) for a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers a comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency in existing homes.

USEP will award up to $4.5 Million for this program. The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program will include activities such as:

  • establishing market baselines and performance indicators,
  • contractor training opportunities,
  • homeowner outreach,
  • home performance assessments and a utility bill analysis,
  • projected cost-effectiveness of energy retrofits,
  • installation of energy efficiency measures, and
  • incentives for participation.

READ MORE

RELATED LINKS

Utah Geological Survey

TWO NEW FOSSIL RODENTS DISCOVERED IN UTAH

A newly-published report describes the discovery of two new prehistoric rodents in Utah. The report also identifies two fossil rodents and a rabbit previously known from other states. All are from a site near Sevier in central Utah.

“In addition to identifying the new species, the findings are significant because until now, Utah has been a big hole in the Miocene map of western North America for fossil mammals,” said Don DeBlieux, report co-author and paleontologist with the Utah Geological Survey (UGS). “The uplift and erosion of the Colorado Plateau which makes Utah such a good place for finding dinosaur fossils means that younger rocks and fossils, such as those from the Miocene Epoch which lasted from 23 to five million years ago, have been washed way.”

READ MORE

Utah Geological Survey
,

PUBLIC INFORMATION SERIES 95

UTAH’S ENERGY LANDSCAPE
Michael D. Vanden Berg

Did you know that Utah is one of only six states that generate electricity from geothermal sources? Did you know that Utah recently produced its one billionth ton of coal? Did you know that Utah has the second lowest price for home-heating natural gas in the nation? Did you know that Utah has been a net-exporter of energy since 1980?

These little known facts, along with many more interesting details, can be found in the Utah Geological Survey’s (UGS) new publication Utah’s Energy Landscape – a visual-based comprehensive description of Utah’s entire energy portfolio.

41p. booklet

PI-95……….$18.95

GET IT HERE

READ MORE

IN THE MEDIA
Emery County Progress

Utah Geological Survey
,

ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR UTAH'S LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

About $8.5 million dollars are now available to local governments. The money represents a portion of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), which was allocated in March 2009. The funds were directed to state energy programs, larger cities and counties, and federally recognized tribes.

READ MORE

IN THE MEDIA
The Spectrum
Deseret News

RELATED LINKS

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Package)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant