The EPA is awarding Utah $112 million to improve air quality

The average cost of a rental unit in Salt Lake County has doubled from $720 per month in 2010 to $1,301 in 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Salt Lake City Government

SALT LAKE CITY — The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded Utah $112 million to help reduce air pollution in Salt Lake City.

The bulk of the money — $110 million — will go to the state Department of Environmental Quality. The Utah Inland Port Authority will receive $2.4 million. Both grants are part of the EPA's Clean Ports Program.

The DEQ grant, the largest environmental grant in Utah history, will fund new electric vehicles and equipment at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal. These include terminal tractors, trucks, locomotives and charging stations.

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The Port Authority will use its resources to study emissions, develop reduction strategies and work with surrounding communities to improve air quality.

The Utah Division of Air Quality originally requested about $150 million to help replace older diesel-powered equipment. The proposal would cover 75% of the cost of new vehicles, with an additional 15% for fleet owners retiring older diesel models.

The grants are part of nearly $3 billion the EPA is distributing nationwide through its Clean Ports program. The agency says these projects will “eliminate more than 3 million tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to the energy use of 391,220 households in one year.”

The program will fund 55 projects across the country and provide states with zero-emission port equipment, infrastructure and planning resources.

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By: Will Scadden

Contact: [email protected]

Will Scadden, a Summit County native, serves as a political correspondent for TownLift, where he covers local politics in Park City, Summit County and Utah. Will has deep roots in the community and brings a unique local perspective to his reporting. He is currently completing a master's degree in international relations, combining his academic knowledge with his passion for political journalism.

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