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SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would allow Utah air quality regulators to incorporate rules that are "different" from what the federal Clean Air Act allows passed a legislative committee's scrutiny Monday.
HB226, sponsored by Rep. Becky Edwards, R-North Salt Lake, represents a major step forward for pollution reform, according to advocates.
Edwards is trying to strike a balance among clean air advocates and a weary conservative Utah Legislature about what can ultimately be a unique approach to help fix air pollution woes along the Wasatch Front.
Bryce Bird, director of the Utah Division of Air Quality, said the flexibility will allow regulators to approach "episodic" pollution events with rules that Utah does not get credit for. Ultimately, the state could tailor emission rules to foster more reductions in pollution levels, which stokes fear by industry representatives that Utah could go beyond what the Environmental Protection Agency says is permissible.
Edwards' measure allows Utah to pursue those rules, as long as a list of conditions are met, including their scientific relevance to potential impacts on pollution and a thorough public vetting.
Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, said the Legislature has been beat up on its failure to act.
"The laws come carefully and slowly up here. This bill I am comfortable with," he said.
