Bipartisan group pushes Utah clean air bills
"None of us want our air to look like it does today," said caucus co chair Patrice Arent, D Millcreek."Our Clean Air Caucus members are concerned that the poor air quality we experience during winter inversions and other times of the year is seriously damaging both our personal health and Utah's economy," Arent said, flanked by 19 legislators hailing from both ends of the state and political spectrum. "It takes some of the joy out of living in our beautiful state."Wednesday's foul skies were made to order for such an announcement and helped illustrate the need for bigger cuts in emissions. With an air quality index of 156, Salt Lake City was vying with Bakersfield and Visalia in southern California for the nation's dirtiest air. Provo and Logan were also among the five cities with the poorest air quality.Despite air quality gains over the past decade, a new poll shows Utahns are growing increasingly concerned about pollution. More than two thirds want tougher emissions standards imposed on industry, even though state officials say such sources account for only 11 percent of the state's air pollution.Arent unveiled measures such as loosening utility regulations to remove a bureaucratic roadblock to electric vehicle charging stations and HB38, which would create the position of sustainability director to serve in the Governor's OfficeOffice
New York Islanders Blue penguins hockey jerseys of Management and Budget. Environmental Protection Agency.Edwards and co sponsor Joel Briscoe, D Salt Lake City, contend that Utah regulators should be allowed to craft rules that are tailored to Utah."WeUtah."We
Philadelphia Flyers pro stock hockey gear don't have that ability and our hands our tied," Edwards said. "Removing that prohibition would free them to make better decisions, more complete decisions."Edwards, along with Republican Sen. Todd Weiler, also intends toto
Hurricanes replica nhl jerseys push legislation to ban the incineration of medical waste "within close proximity" of schools and homes. TheirTheir
Blues nhl fan gear Davis County districts host the controversial incinerator operated by medical waste handler Stericycle, whose 22 year old facility now abuts the newer Foxboro neighborhood.Briscoe, a caucus co chair, also proposes allowing Wasatch Front counties, with voter approval, to raise the portion of the sales tax devoted to public transit to a full 1 percent."It's great if you live on those lines, but we cut back bus service," Briscoe said. "Buses aren't sexy,sexy,
hockey discount but they are the bread and butter of the transit system."He acknowledged raising taxes is a tough sell, but he noted there are proposals to raise the gasoline taxtax
Islanders Black china hockey jerseys to fund highway construction and argued transit needs to be part of that conversation."If we make our cars twice as clean and double the number of cars on the road, we are right back where we started," Briscoe said.Another Arent sponsored bill, HB61, would set aside $2,0 for expanding the Clean Fuels and Vehicle Technology Grant and Loan Program to include electric hybrid cars. This program provides financialfinancial
Carolina Hurricanes Blue 2014 nhl jerseys assistance for the purchase of new clean fuel vehicles, conversion or retrofit of existing vehicles, and developing fueling infrastructure.HB41, sponsored by Stephen Handy, R Layton, would allocate $20 million for matching funds to replace 170 school buses manufactured before 22 and to build alternative fueling stations.The sustainability official envisioned in Arent's HB38 would be appointed by the governor and charged with helping state agencies craft and implement measures that save energy and cut emissions.How does poor air quality affect you? The Salt Lake Tribune and KUED Channel 7 want to hear your bad air day stories whether written or video recorded. We will delete comments containing obscenities, personal attacks and inappropriate or offensive remarks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. If you see an objectionable comment, please alert us by clicking the arrow on the upper right side of the comment and selecting "Flag comment as inappropriate". If you've recently registered with Disqus or aren't seeing your comments immediately, you may need to verify your email address.