Utah Faces Severe Drought and Climate Consequences

Repeal of 'endangerment finding' will worsen health impacts and environmental injustice

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The current administration's repeal of the 2009 'endangerment finding' will have cascading and catastrophic effects on Utah, including increasing hospitalizations and deaths from heat exposure, financial burdens from extreme weather, and severe drought conditions that threaten the state's water supply. The move prioritizes corporate profits over public health and will disproportionately harm marginalized communities.

Why it matters

The repeal of the endangerment finding will severely limit the federal government and EPA's legal authority to control pollution, leading to an increase in climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions. This will exacerbate environmental injustice, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of the health and financial impacts. Utah is already facing severe drought conditions that threaten the state's water supply and power generation.

The details

The endangerment finding established that greenhouse gas pollution was harming human health and well-being, allowing for restrictions under the Clean Air Act. The new proposal would erase those restrictions on pollution from sources like car tailpipes, power plants, and drilling facilities. This could increase climate pollution by as much as 18 billion metric tons. In Utah, 94% of the state is in drought conditions, with 40% in severe drought. Snowpack, which provides 95% of the state's water supply, is at a record low. Both Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at historically low levels, threatening hydroelectric power generation.

  • In January 2026, Salt Lake City experienced a prolonged inversion and had the worst air quality in the country and one of the worst in the world.
  • As of February 2026, 94% of Utah is in drought conditions, with 40% in severe drought.

The players

The current administration

The current presidential administration that has proposed repealing the 2009 'endangerment finding' that established greenhouse gas pollution as harmful to human health and well-being.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that would have its legal authority to control pollution severely limited by the repeal of the endangerment finding.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Negotiations between the Colorado River's Upper Basin states (including Utah) and Lower Basin states ended on the Feb. 14 deadline without an agreement on how to proceed, which could further impact Utah's water supply.

The takeaway

The repeal of the 'endangerment finding' will have devastating consequences for Utah, exacerbating environmental injustice and threatening the state's water supply and public health. It is crucial for Utahns to speak out and urge their legislators to prioritize climate action and protect their communities.