The state of Utah does not have a strong commitment to cleaning up the air. For example, the Senate recently rejected the governor’s nominee, Dr. Suzanne Harrison for the Air Quality Board and that was followed by the governor’ acquiescence to their decision.
Dr. Harrison is uniquely qualified based upon her former legislative experience and that she is a medical doctor and could have brought needed expertise to the board. This rejection, coupled with the absurd reasoning by the senators who voted against her — she voted against tax breaks for the oil refineries, wasn’t a “team” player, and that carbon dioxide is necessary for plants to grow is continued evidence that Utah government is not committed to clean air.
The continued push by state officials for the Uinta Basin Railroad is another example of a lack of commitment to clean air. The Uinta basin is a nonattainment area for air quality due to fossil fuel drilling. Quadrupling (or more) of the current level of drilling is what would happen if this boondoggle railroad is constructed.
Finally, the Utah Inland Port has not completed the needed health assessment. As more money is being spent on port infrastructure the health assessment is critical — no more funds should be spent until it is complete. We don’t have the level of non-fossil fuel burning vehicles required to improve air quality and simply adding more vehicles will only further pollute the air.
David Bennett, Park City
