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SALT LAKE CITY — A new bill aimed at cleaning up Utah's air ahead of the 2034 Olympics has been unveiled in the Legislature.
Rep. Paul Cutler, R-Centerville, said HB525 takes a carrot-and-stick approach to get some of the dirtier trucks off the roads.
"People want to do the right thing, and sometimes they need a little push to help do the right thing," Cutler said.
Under HB525, heavy-duty trucks made in 2009 or before could not be registered along the Wasatch Front starting in May. Only those already registered with the state could be renewed.
Then, in 2030, those trucks would be prohibited completely, with a few exceptions.
"This is a small thing that we can do to help improve air quality along the Wasatch Front," Cutler said.
The bill also offers a tax credit to help operators turn in their old trucks and buy new, cleaner ones.
"We want to show progress, especially before the Olympics," Cutler said, "clean up our air, (and) see what we can do to improve things before then."
The Utah Trucking Association did not have a comment Thursday on the new bill. HB525 does not have a committee hearing scheduled yet.
The legislative session ends March 7.
