Although today the air is clear, with almost a crispness to it, we all know that it won’t be long before another oppressive layer of smog settles in to the valley. Recently I was asked about this air quality problem, and I thought I would share with you my response.
The question: I want to know your thoughts and ideas on cleaning up Salt Lake City air pollution that occurs in the summer and winter. I understand new research suggests certain levels of pollutants can have detrimental and possibly irreversible effects on developing lung tissue and function in children, and can cause problems in adults with preexisting compromised lung function. As an R.N., I’ve seen and treated severe asthma and other lung dysfunctions. I also have serious concerns for my own baby’s developing pulmonary system living here in SLC. So much so that my husband and I have discussed moving to a cleaner, healthier community even though my parents live here.
My response: I agree completely with you that air quality in SLC is an overriding concern, and as I watch my granddaughter grow up here I too worry about the effects of the nasty inversions and pollutants in the air. I’m encouraged by the new grassroots efforts by Physicians for a Healthy Environment and Moms 4 Clean Air that will add energy to our efforts to address poor air quality, and I encourage you to join these efforts.
I’ve spent a good part my career (more than 30 years) working on environmental issues, including air quality and the Clean Air Act. (I’m a planner and lawyer, teach environmental planning law and policy at the U, and a state legislator, and have an environmental and planning consulting firm in SLC for more than 20 years.) To improve our air quality, we need to work within the context of federal and state law — a challenging proposition these days. My professional and public service career lead me to the conclusion that there is no single solution to this problem . It will take a concerted effort from all of the municipalities in the valley and region to bring about positive changes.
As mayor, I will accomplish this in two ways. First, I will make sure that our city takes the lead and serves as a model in comprehensively reducing the amount of pollutants that are put into the air. Among other things, this means:
- Making it easy and convenient for residents to walk, bike or take transit throughout the city;
- Finding ways to ensure that housing in the city (near where most people work) is affordable so that driving is less necessary;
- Having zoning laws that carefully permit commercial and public centers in neighborhoods that complement residential areas;
- Providing incentives to builders, homeowners, and business owners to retrofit their structures so that they use fuels efficiently and/or use renewable and clean-burning fuels.
Second, I will forge working relationships with other municipalities and with the state so that we avoid the “tragedy of the commons.” By working with state and municipal leaders, instead of against them, I expect a new era of intergovernmental cooperation here along the Wasatch Front that will address mass transit, sustainable building standards, land-use planning, and other issues that inherently stretch beyond our city’s boundaries. Salt Lake City cannot do it alone, and I have developed respectful relationships over many years with regional and state leaders.
As important as bringing other governments into the fold, though, is making sure that our business leaders are on board as well. A clean city - not one that you want to leave for health reasons - is key to a strong and stable workforce, and our continued economic prosperity is utterly dependent on having a healthy airshed.
It seems that you are a prime example of what I’m talking about - good people who are considering moving away because of this very issue. As your mayor, I will work tirelessly to prevent that from happening. We all need to be part of the solution. Addressing local air quality concerns also has the benefit of helping address daunting climate change issues.
All the best -
Ralph
May 31st, 2007 at 12:40 am
Thanks for addressing this issue, Ralph. The air quality has been stressing me out for the last few years, but this past winter seemed to me to be especially bad. I live just blocks from downtown, and I have a 3 year old and a 12 year old.
I also worry a bit about myself. I can tell my lungs really struggle when the air is bad — I had chlorine poisioning as a child (breathed it in when there was a chloring leak at a public pool I was playing in) and I often wonder if that’s why I seem to do worse than other adults approx. my age. I hope I won’t be one of the bad air casualities
June 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
What will Ralph do about the problem of second-hand smoke? Too many Utahns are still being exposed to second-hand smoke and the toxins that come with it. I hope that as part of Ralph’s clean air initiatives he works to strengthen SLC’s laws on second-hand smoke.
June 4th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Jenni, thank you for your response. It’s a huge issue and it affects every other aspect of our lives here in Salt Lake City, from our children’s health to our economy. We must change our approach to air pollution.
Jon, second hand smoke is a proven health problem. Utah and Salt Lake City have passed numerous laws to limit the exposure of second-hand smoke to the public. As mayor, I will look for continuing opportunities to protect the public health through strong second-hand smoke protection such as the recent ordinance passed by the Legislature that is slated to take effect in 2009.