đ Tackling Climate Change: A Race We Can Win Together! đââď¸đââď¸
Mitigating climate change is both a sprint and a marathon. The challenge? We need to cut our emissions and local air pollution drastically in the near term while investing in projects that can have sustained impact over time. The good news? The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act has provided billions of dollars in federal funding to support climate action. If we make a compelling emissions reduction plan, we can apply for implementation funds to execute.
The EPA provides support and research to protect and improve public and environmental health, as well as enforces and regulates environmental protections. Region 8 is made up of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montano, North Dakota and South Dakota, and 28 Tribal Nations.
KC Becker, the current Region 8 administrator, has 18 years of experience as a public servant for both federal and state organizations. Prior to being appointed as the Region 8 administrator, KC served in the Colorado State Legislature for 4 terms, spending two years as House Majority Leader and two years as the Speaker of the House â at the time, one of only seven female speakers in the United States.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together local sustainability movers and shakers to hear about their/our concerns surrounding environmental issues in Utah and how the EPA can help!
Earlier in the day, she met with Mayor Erin Mendenhall, learned about Salt Lake Cityâs unique environmental projects and issues, and shared EPAâs priorities. Administrator Becker also spent some of her time in Utah meeting with the State Department of Environmental Quality.
The EPA is currently focusing on supporting initiatives it has funding for through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill- specifically looking at the redevelopment of brownfields, infrastructure improvements and upgrades, lead pipes, and cleaning up Superfund sites.
Administrator Becker spoke about the EPAâs mission to center environmental justice in all aspects of its work; building stronger relationships with environmental justice groups, community groups, and other non-governmental organizations; and ensuring that all decisions are science-based and focusing on public health outcomes.
Representatives from local groups highlighted their desire for EPAâs support or advice on issues related to air quality, the recent Inland Port developments, the health of the Great Salt Lake, water quality and access, uranium waste in southern Utah, and funding opportunities for the many goals and initiatives of the groups attending.
Overall, the meeting was invigorating and inspiring. Administrator Becker left us with much to do and the support (within her ability) of our regional EPA leaders.
Potential contamination from dry cleaning operations at the VA Hospital in the 1970s have led the EPA and Veterans Administration to study and seek remediation for a PCE groundwater plume on the east bench in Salt Lake City.  The plume is located generally within the area bounded by 500 South and Michigan Avenue and between Guardsman Way and 1100 East.
The next meeting to hear updates on the PCE groundwater plume remediation effort is coming up! This meeting will include a special presentation by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on their analysis of the East Side Springs groundwater.
To read more about the history of this site, visit this page. To learn more about the current steps in the Superfund remediation process, click here.
What: Advocates for VA Groundwater Plume Resolution Meeting
When: Wednesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Department of Veterans Affairs, Medical Center, 500 Foothill Drive Building 9, Salt Lake City, UTÂ 84148
USGS hydrologist Sue Thiros analyzes groundwater flow data.
Potential contamination from dry cleaning operations at the VA Hospital in the 1970s have led the EPA and Veterans Administration to study and seek remediation for a PCE groundwater plume on the east bench in Salt Lake City.  The plume is located generally within the area bounded by 500 South and Michigan Avenue and between Guardsman Way and 1100 East.
“PCE contamination was first detected in this area in the 1990s during routine sampling of the Mount Olivet Cemetery irrigation well. As a result of PCE discovery at this location, the PCE plume was referred to as the Mount Olivet Cemetery Plume. Subsequent investigations proceeded, including a 1995 report by the State of Utah. This report was unable to determine where the PCE originated, but pointed out that the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center (VAMC) operated a dry cleaning facility that utilized PCE on site in the late 1970s.”
Today, Mayor Jackie Biskupski joined more than 50 city and county governments from 28 states in signing an amicus brief in defense of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyâs Clean Power Plan.
âI signed this brief on behalf of Salt Lake City because the effects of climate change are real, but so are the solutions,â said Mayor Biskupski. âThe EPA estimates that the Clean Power Plan will reduce the pollutants that contribute to smog by more than 25 percent, a change that will benefit everyone along the Wasatch Front, especially during our increasingly dangerous winter inversion season.â
The brief, filed in federal court today, argues the administrationâs plan is critical to the safety and economic security of local communities across the United States. Signatories of the brief represent a diverse geographic, economic, and political mix. In all, the signatories represent 51 localities, home to more than 18 million Americans.
âClimate change challenges our very way of life in Salt Lake City. Increasing temperatures and a shorter winter season are resulting in less snow, threatening not only our billion dollar ski industry, but the water we need to keep up with our population growth,â said Mayor Biskupski. âMy administration is committed to strengthening our actions in cleaning our air. This week I asked our cityâs Department of Sustainability to work with mayors and cities across the Wasatch Front to provide any resources we can to help them join this fight.â
Exchange your old empty 2.5 or 5 gallon gas can for a free, brand new, environmentally friendly can of equal size!
UCAIR and Chevron are exchanging over 4,500 gas cans. Thatâs equivalent to eliminating 540 cars off Utahâs roads per day over the 5-year life of each gas can. Making this small change can have large impact on our air quality. Together we can make a difference in Utahâs air quality.
The Gas Can Exchange Program will be the first of its kind in Utah and help our state come into compliance with the EPA standard.
The event will be held on April 11, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the following locations:
2100 S. 300 W., Salt Lake City, Chevron Station
1997 E. 3500 N., Layton, Davis Landfill
1855 Skyline Dr., South Ogden, Chevron Station
1200 Towne Center Blvd., Provo Towne Center Mall
Why exchange your old can? Old gas cans contribute to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by:
Permeation of vapors through walls of containers.
Escaping fumes while fuel is being dispensed.
Spillage and over filling as fuel is being poured into equipment.
Spillage and evaporation through secondary vent holes.
Evaporation through inadequately capped spouts.
The new cans have several improvements including:
Automatic shut-off feature to prevent overfilling.
Automatic closing feature.
Sealed when it is not in use.
Prevents leaking vapors.
Protects children from accidental spills and ingestion.
Secondary venting holes are eliminated to stop venting of fumes into the air.
Thicker walls to reduce vapor permeation.
Please contact Angie at coordinator@ucair.org if you have any questions about the gas can exchange.
Following today’s announcement of the EPA’s new Clean Power Plan, which would set emissions standards for power plants, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker issued the following statement.
âI am pleased that President Obama and EPA Administrator McCarthy are using the appropriate tool of the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon emissions from the largest source of carbon pollutionâcoal-fired power plants. The authority and direction, established by Congress and President Nixon in 1970, was intended to regulate threats to our health and welfare from air pollution.
The flexible step announced today, carefully developed after many years of input and giving industry multiple options to reduce carbon emissions, uses Clean Air Act authority upheld time and again by the U.S. Supreme Court. The common sense regulations will serve to help our region and state address air pollution and the unparalleled risk to our wellbeing from climate disruption.
As Administrator McCarthy noted, we have a collective, moral obligation to make responsible decisions on behalf of the health of our families and children, and the long-term viability and livability of our community. We need look no further than the profound air pollution issues here in our region for a call to action. We are also already seeing changes from climate change in our watersheds and snowpack that will impose enormous costs on us and future water users in the Salt Lake Valley.
Taking this responsible and necessary step will go a long way to starting effective societal solutions.â
Overlooking the city from the rooftop terrace of the downtown library, business leaders, clean air advocates, and healthcare professionals joined Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to announce the launch of Project Skyline. The initiative is designed to impact air quality by cutting energy waste. Administrator McCarthyâs presence served to underscore EPA’s nationwide leadership in providing key energy management tools and resources through the Energy Star program.
Project Skyline is a cornerstone initiative of Sustainable Salt Lake â Plan 2015, the Mayorâs blueprint to improve air quality, boost economic development and improve livability in Salt Lake City. As part of the initiative, Mayor Becker challenged building owners, tenants, universities, schools, hotels, and hospitals across the city to proactively meet â and â exceed the air quality and energy-saving targets of Sustainable Salt Lake â Plan 2015 by joining theMayorâs Skyline Challenge.
The event kicked off with remarks from Mayor Becker who stressed the themes laid out in his State of the City address earlier this year, including the direct impact of air quality on the physical and economic health of the city. The Mayor also recognized the Salt Lake City businesses and institutions that have already joined the Challenge and emphasized his commitment to lead by example by cutting energy waste in municipal operations.
Administrator McCarthy followed Mayor Becker with a powerful message about energy efficiency and the importance of working together to improve the health of American families. âEnergy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective opportunities we have to make our businesses more competitive, improve air quality, and save money. And we know that healthy communities attract investment, businesses, and more jobs. Environmental health promotes economic health,” said Administrator McCarthy.
President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Power Rich Walje highlighted the enormous opportunity for businesses to save money by maximizing energy efficiency opportunities and taking advantage of the utilityâs Wattsmart incentive program. âThe cleanest and cheapest energy is the energy we donât use. Working together, we can significantly reduce energy waste and make a positive difference in our community,â said Walje.
Remarks by President and CEO of Economic Development Corporation Utah Jeff Edwards followed by echoing Mayor Beckerâs message, calling attention to the top reason businesses choose not to come to Utahâ poor air quality. âAir quality is becoming a growing concern across the nation, and companies want to know what Utah is doing to address this issue,â said Edwards. âIf we want to continue to attract quality growth to Utah, we must lead by example. I applaud Mayor Beckerâs efforts to do just that and encourage building owners to step forward and participate. Project Skyline will set the example for other cities across the country.â
University of Utah Health Care CEO Dr. Vivian Lee wrapped up the event, bringing the perspective of a major healthcare provider and research institution. Dr. Lee stressed how significant the local air quality issues are to the health of Salt Lake Cityâs residents.
Leadership from partner businesses, organizations, and the community stood alongside Mayor Becker and Administrator McCarthy during the launch to show their support for the initiative:
President and CEO Questar Gas Ron Jibson, Senior Managing Director CBRE Mark Bouchard, Managing Director Goldman Sachs Bruce Larson, Senior Vice President and CSO Intermountain Healthcare Greg Poulson, Director of Engineering Marriott International Charles Cooley, Salt Lake Community College President Dr. Deneece Huftalin, Chief Pulmonary Division and Director Program for Air, Health, and Society Dr. Robert Paine, President BOMA Utah Lorrie Ostlind, Executive Director Utah Clean Energy Sarah Wright, Board President USGBC Utah Whitney Ward, Hotel Monaco General Manager Daryn White, New Mark Grubb Acres Vice President Justin Farnsworth, Salt Lake Chamber Vice President of Business and Community Relations Ryan Evans, UCAIR Executive Director Ted Wilson, Salt Lake City School District Energy Manager Greg Libecci, Salt Lake City Fire Department Captain Rick Stratton, and Breathe Utah Board President Dr. Deborah Sigman.
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