Clean Air Caucus

November 15, 2019

Utah faces unique challenges with air quality. In particular, we’re mindful of the health concerns associated with air pollution and the impact it has on our economic development. In 2013, the Legislature’s bipartisan Clean Air Caucus started in the Utah House of Representatives and quickly moved its way to the Utah State Senate. This initiative has allowed legislators to learn about air quality from a variety of experts, as well as examine legislation and funding requests. The legislature prioritized air quality efforts. Recent additional appropriations include electric vehicle charging stations, a long-standing voluntary program to remove wood burning stoves in homes, more research, state employee telecommuting and much more. Read more about clean air initiatives the legislature passed during the 2019 session here and here. The bipartisan Clean Air Caucus continues to meet to discuss various issues and receive the latest research from state agencies, clean air experts, researchers and others. The public is welcome to attend to learn about the complexity behind air quality issues. The last caucus meeting of 2019 will take place on Tuesday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Copper Room of the Senate Building. The agenda items for the upcoming meeting include alternative fuels report by the Utah Foundation, Utah ozone study, University of Utah’s efforts to improve our air quality, Division of Air quality update, hydrogen infrastructure, and proposals for the upcoming general session. For any questions or comments about the Clean Air Caucus, please contact the co-chairs: Sen. Luz Escamilla lescamilla@le.utah.gov Sen. Todd Weiler tweiler@le.utah.gov Rep. Patrice Arent parent@le.utah.gov Rep. Joel Briscoe jbriscoe@le.utah.gov Rep. Steve Handy shandy@le.utah.gov Rep. Suzanne Harrison sharrison@le.utah.gov Rep. Val Potter vpotter@le.utah.gov Rep. Lowry Snow lsnow@le.utah.gov Materials from the October meeting Air Quality Resolution – Utah League of Cities and Towns  Air Quality Update – Utah Department of Environmental Quality  Air Quality Dashboard – Utah Department of Environmental Quality  Economists’ Statement on Carbon Dividends – Tom Moyer, Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Dr. Brigham Frandsen, Brigham Young University 

Tags: , , ,