This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Mary McGann wrote an op-ed ("Clearing coal haze protects Utah communities in long run," Feb. 7) about the EPA's public hearing regarding plans to reduce air pollution in Utah's stellar national parks. The "Clean Parks Plan" requires Rocky Mountain Power to install modern pollution controls at its Hunter and Huntington coal plants, which pump significant air pollution into our parks. The alternative plan requires no additional pollution controls.

Utahns from across the state endorsed the Clean Parks Plan, giving passionate voice to many Utahns frustrated and fatigued by our state's refusal to effectively regulate the hydrocarbon industries responsible for our air pollution.

I urge the EPA to choose the Clean Parks alternative. However, long term, the best way to clean our air is progressive movement away from hydrocarbon energy. A national policy called "Carbon Fee and Dividend," advocated for by the non-partisan Citizens' Climate Lobby, will bolster this move.

The policy assesses a fee on fossil fuels where they are extracted, funding a monthly dividend to every U.S. household to counter higher energy costs. As the fee increases over time, companies like Rocky Mountain Power will embrace cheaper, cleaner energy like solar, and Utah's air will be clean and clear.

Nash Hall

Salt Lake City