SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A package of proposed laws from Utah's Democrats to tackle grit and grim in Utah's air.
Rep. Patrice Arent, D- , told ABC 4 News, "This is too critical for us, we have to be working on this issue."
A handful of Utah democrats presented the package of six bills Monday morning.
The bills come only two months into a year where the northern half of our state has suffered the worst pollutions spikes in the country. While geography and weather play a part, pollution caused by everyday activities can be controlled.
Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake City, said, "Some things have to be done by laws, we are the ones that can change the law."
Below are the six pieces of legislation to be proposed:
1. State agencies must develop plans to reduce activities that cause pollution and account for the smog-cutting changes they've already made.
2. UTA would provide free passes in January and July, the smoggiest months.
3. A special funding account would be set up to support mass transit operations and expansion.
4. Utah law would be changed to allow the state to impose more stringent rules and regulations than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
5. Industry would be required to adopt the best available control technology to scrub emissions from industrial stacks.
6. People who buy certain UTA passes would be eligible for individual income tax credits.
