In order to address the urgent problem of air quality in Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City is expected to receive a considerable increase of $1 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant.
The goal of the funding is to give the city the tools it needs to create a comprehensive plan aimed at lowering carbon emissions and air pollution, which will ultimately improve public health outcomes.
Utah’s Commitment to Address Air Quality Issues
The announcement was made by the mayor of Salt Lake City, Erin Mendenhall, on Tuesday during a press conference held at the nonprofit NeighborWorks.
The expansion of air quality monitoring, particularly in underprivileged regions in Davis and Salt Lake counties, is a crucial component of the effort.
This extension is expected to offer insightful information about the state of the air in these areas, enabling more focused efforts to enhance the environment.
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s executive director, Kim Shelley, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to addressing air quality issues in these underserved communities.
Poor air quality, which has long been a problem in Salt Lake City’s west side neighborhoods due to things like being close to freeways, refineries, and other sources of pollution, has been a big problem for locals.
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Program Aims for Cleaner, Healthier, and More Just City
The West Side’s environmental inequities, which have persisted for more than 70 years due to redlining tactics, were openly acknowledged by Mayor Mendenhall.
After launching an environmental justice assessment last year that specifically targeted six west side neighborhoods, the EPA is now involved in issues relating to the region’s air quality.
However, several people of these communities have expressed doubt and mistrust regarding the likelihood that this investment and study would lead to substantive change.
This program is intended to be a turning point in the city’s transformation towards a cleaner, healthier, and more just community where all of its citizens can thrive.
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