A Great American Green City

As Mayor, Ralph Becker worked with UTA to begin construction on the Airport TRAX line, secured $26 million in Federal Funding to build the Sugar House Street Car, and recently secured nearly half-a-million dollars for a feasibility study for a future downtown street car.

He has also increased funding for trails and bikeways 10 fold in his first budget and increased the City’s bike paths by nearly 50%.  Mayor Becker also set the goal of diverting 50% of our waste from the landfill by 2015.  Under the direction of Salt Lake Solutions, the “Clear the Air” challenge has eliminated millions of pounds of Green House gases.

Mayor Becker further addressed climate change and air quality by: 1) bringing U Car Share to Salt Lake City; 2) expanding the use of hybrid cars in the Police Department; 3) expanding CNG in the City’s fleet; 4) promoting development of CNG refueling stations; and 5) developing plans for public charging stations for electric cars.  Through the Department of Public Services, Salt Lake City recently released an Open Space Lands Acquisition Strategy and Plan and finally, Mayor Becker was a key player in developing the Wasatch Wilderness Act with Congressman Matheson.