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Recently, environmental officials made some changes in air quality standards. What is Utah doing to meet the revised standards?
The particulate matter restrictions set by the Environmental Protection Agency have been made stricter.
EPA Particulate Matter Program Coordinator Catherine Roberts said, "We've revised the PM2.5 standard from 65 micrograms [per cubic meter] to 35 micrograms [per cubic meter]."
Three areas in Utah don't meet the new standards, ranging from Utah County, to Box Elder County, and as far west as Tooele County. Roberts says these designations will go into effect possibly in April. Then, Utah will have three years to submit a plan showing how it will meet the EPA standards.
Roberts said, "If for some reason, and it's highly unlikely this would happen, the state was unable to provide a plan to us at the time it is due, then, yes, EPA would have to take an action, under the Clean Air Act."
Roberts says the EPA would then enter into a "finding" period, giving the state 18 months to submit the plan.
"If we still do not have a plan from the state, then, the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to begin a process of evaluating potential sanctions, such as stopping federal highway funding," she said. Roberts admits that's an option they don't like considering.
Utah Division of Air Quality Director Cheryl Heying said, "There's a lot going on to make sure that we're reducing pollution."
Heying says the state knew it would have compliance issues when the EPA cut the standard in half. To meet the new restrictions, it'll be looking to see if its wood burning program still makes sense. It is also consider if it needs to tighten vehicle emissions.
"We're all going to have to pull together and find these solutions," she said.
But, she says products are getting cleaner over the years, and Utah was given funding to retrofit school buses to make them cleaner.
"We started down in the St. George, Washington County area where kids are on the bus longer. We're basically cutting in half the amount of pollution coming from these buses," she said.
The state has until 2014 to actually meet the newer EPA standard, but state officials could ask for an extension until 2019 if they need it.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
