Clean Air and Water
It’s no surprise that clean air and water are the environmental issues in Utah. Drying up of the Great Salt Lake, diminishing water supplies, extreme temperatures, and worsening air quality due to wildfires - all have significant challenges for Utah.
We need ongoing realistic plans and policy to reduce overall emissions.
We need realistic policies regarding Water Storage and Conservation. Water storage, tracking water consumption, renewable energy for electricity supply, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, hiring climate specialists, and promoting climate healthy practices should be legislative priority.
Let's support energy initiatives and research developing carbon-free technologies required to improve air quality while considering the impact to rural Utah.
Let's provide additional dollars for water storage, water optimization, and water conservation projects.
Federal Dollars actually help Utah with Water Projects. In 2022:
$51 million to build an aquifer storage recharging system in Provo
$36.68 million to rebuild and retrofit the Salt Lake City water treatment plant in City Creek Canyon
$21.59 million to construct a pipeline project in the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District
Utah's Water:
82% of Utah’s water is used by the agricultural industry. The Water Optimization Program in 2020 received $3 million in state funding that year and another $3 million in 2021. During the latest round, the program received 81 applications totaling $10.6 million — more than triple the available funds.
Wasatch Front Clean Air:
Provide incentives for electric, hybrid and stop-start technology vehicles.
Build electric vehicle recharging stations across Utah.
Increase electric and natural gas vehicle adoption by public fleets and replace Utah state owned vehicles with electric and natural gas vehicles. Utah's governmental bodies should be leading the way on converting its fleet of vehicles.
Expand access to Tier 3 Fuel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce harmful air pollution. Tier 3 gas arrived in Utah November 2019 and only Silver Eagle, Marathon and Chevron refineries actually provide the gas. In vehicles made in 2017 or later, Tier 3 fuel can reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds up to 80%.
Continued funding in Air Quality Research, answering questions such as:
What chemical reactions cause particulates impacting air quality?
How do we deploy new technologies to favorably impact air quality?
Increase the number of Utah State telecommuting employees above the State's 30% goal: A NEW WORKPLACE - Modernizing Where, How, & When Utah Works
Expand the number of Free Ride Days on Frontrunner and Trax during winter months.
Allow employers to deduct the cost of mass transit passes, bicycle commuting reimbursements, and van pooling benefits paid on behalf to their employees from corporate taxes paid.
Let's Talk the Great Outdoors
We need to maintain the quality of our outdoor recreational experience. Utah is famous for our outdoor culture, so let's protect it.