Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Join the community of UPR donors who make this station possible. YOUR membership donation has the power to make a big difference! GIVE NOW
Have you ever had a Bad Air Day? How bad was it? What exactly does it feel like to live with air pollution?0000017c-7f7e-d4f8-a77d-fffffe0d0000Through our partnership with the Public Insight Network, we're encouraging Cache County residents to talk about their experiences with air pollution in the valley and we're giving you a space to ask questions about air pollution. Your stories and questions will help shape our coverage of this complicated and important topic.Having a Bad Air Day? Tell us about it.Read more about the project at the Public Insight Networks' blog.

Air Quality Still To Be A Big Topic In 2015 Legislative Session, Lawmaker Says

inversion capitol
April Ashland
/
Utah Public Radio

Utah's air quality challenges are among the issues state lawmakers will consider during this year's legislative session. Rep. Patrice Arent is the co-chair and founder of the bipartisan Clean Air Caucus, which is focused on passing legislation that addresses air pollution. She says this session picks up where the last left off.

"It certainly was the case that we passed more legislation last year, and did more in terms of appropriations than we had in my prior 13 sessions combined," she said. "But we need to continue that work. There's still a lot more to do."

Arent says lawmakers approved $4.7 million in funding for a dozen measures aimed at improving air quality during the 2014 legislative session. Those measures included tax incentives for buying electric vehicles and a voluntary program for homeowners to convert wood-burning stoves to cleaner fuels such as natural gas.

The clean-air bills often get bipartisan support, Arent says, because it's broadly understood that poor air quality can hurt the state's economy.

"When people come to town and they see a horrible inversion, it doesn't leave a great impression. And when they come in and say, 'Hey, is this a place I want to locate my business? Is this a place I want to recommend to vacation?' It's difficult when we have bad air.," Arent said.

Bills to be considered this year would add funding for mass transit programs, create tax credits for energy-efficient vehicles, and provide more money for clean air programs.