Democrats push air quality in Utah Legislature

Two of the bills being prepared involve mass transit. Now that Frontrunner goes from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south, Utahns are being encouraged to use UTA’s system. The legislation would provide free passes during the worst periods of pollution in January and July, and could provide tax credits to people who buy specific passes.Over half of the pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. Salt Lake City has an idling ordinance requiring people to turn off their vehicles when waiting in line, not warming their cars in the morning, and cutting burning on yellow and red days. Other possible plans include reducing the speed limit to 55 miles per hour and shutting down area refineries on high level days. For the most part, Utah industries have been asked to police themselves when it comes to cutting emissions. It is estimated about 11 percent of the pollution comes from industry, 57 percent from vehicle emissions, and 32 percent from small businesses, residences and other sources.Dirty air gets trapped in Utah valleys creating a chemical filled soup that worsens until enough wind provides residents with relief. January and July are the two worst months for temperature inversions that create the condition.View the list »
When the air is clean, the valley is beautiful and a healthy place to live.

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The Utah House Democratic Caucus released information about six new pieces of legislation Monday designed to cut air pollution that plagues the state. The legislation requires much more than a plan presented by republican Governor Gary Herbert asking individuals, government agencies and businesses to voluntarily do what they can to cut emissions, especially during inversions. Pollutants get trapped in Utah valleys, making the state home for the country’s most polluted air, sometimes four times the EPA’s particulate standard.

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Utah Democrats have tried to push regulating legislation in the past, but with the terrible air quality this winter and the support of the public, they hope the republican majority in the legislature will finally support the move toward government controls.

Representative Patrice Arent-D, Salt Lake City said, “Utah citizens are asking our state government for solutions to the air quality problem. The simple answers are gone and our hope for mass, voluntary action will not bring all the changes we need.”

Arent has a bill requiring all state government agencies to create plans to reduce activities that cause air pollution, and report on any action taken so far. Along with Representative Joel Briscoe-D, Salt Lake City, Arent has requested a Clean Air Mass Transportation Fund supporting the operation and expansion of mass transit.

Briscoe is also seeking appropriations for free Utah Transit Authority passes during January and July, when air quality in Utah is at its worst, and Representative Marie Poulson-D, Salt Lake City is pushing a bill providing individual income tax credits for Utahns purchasing certain UTA passes.

Representative Lynn Hemingway-D, Salt Lake City supports legislation requiring industry to use the best available technology and equipment in order to scrub emissions, and Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck-D, Salt Lake City is seeking the lifting of restrictions on Utah’s environmental regulations, opening the door for more stringent rules and regulations whenever possible.

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Source: Utah House Democratic Caucus, Utah State Legislature, Salt Lake Tribune, Deseret News

View the list
  • Dirty air gets trapped in Utah valleys creating a chemical filled soup that worsens until enough wind provides residents with relief. January and July are the two worst months for temperature inversions that create the condition.
  • Over half of the pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. Salt Lake City has an idling ordinance requiring people to turn off their vehicles when waiting in line, not warming their cars in the morning, and cutting burning on yellow and red days. Other possible plans include reducing the speed limit to 55 miles per hour and shutting down area refineries on high level days. For the most part, Utah industries have been asked to police themselves when it comes to cutting emissions. It is estimated about 11 percent of the pollution comes from industry, 57 percent from vehicle emissions, and 32 percent from small businesses, residences and other sources.
  • Two of the bills being prepared involve mass transit. Now that Frontrunner goes from Ogden in the north to Provo in the south, Utahns are being encouraged to use UTA’s system. The legislation would provide free passes during the worst periods of pollution in January and July, and could provide tax credits to people who buy specific passes.
View the list
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, Salt Lake City Political Buzz Examiner

Salt Lake City native Alison Peek has had a life long fascination with Utah politics. After earning a degree in political science from the University of Utah, she had an unlikely but rewarding career in advertising. Alison is pleased to be returning to her roots - writing and politics. She enjoys...

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