(Brian Maffly | Tribune file photo) The operators of this shuttered coal-cleaning plant in Wellington have walked away from the 30-acre facility, Utah regulators say, after numerous unabated violations, including the sale of 4,000 tons of coal waste that wound up paving a parking lot. Now the state is sticking four corporate officers each with $2.3 million penalties as leverage to get them to clean up the site.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.