Some Utah legislators are advocating for more control over the state’s air quality standards and are hopeful that the Trump administration will ease environmental regulations. Currently, the Utah Air Quality Board, part of the Department of Environmental Quality, sets statewide rules, but lawmakers are considering having more oversight in the rule-making process. Rep. Casey Snider expressed support for reviewing the authority given to the agency and potentially bringing it back to the Legislature for more accountability. While lawmakers do currently vote to approve proposed administrative rules, giving the Legislature a more active role in setting air quality standards could be beneficial.
The idea has garnered support from several GOP members of the commission as well. Concerns over Utah’s air pollution impacting the 2034 Winter Olympics have also been raised. By having more control over air quality standards, legislators believe they can better represent the interests of voters and ensure a balance between environmental protection and economic growth. The issue is expected to be further discussed during the upcoming legislative session.
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