Members of the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance in Utah are applauding the Environmental Protection Agency's final rule that sharply reduces emissions of methane and other air pollution from oil and natural-gas operations.

Soren Simonsen, treasurer and board member with the Alliance, says clean air is fundamental to life, and that the health of the climate is directly related to overall well-being. He added his group is very appreciative of all the work that has gone into what he calls a "thoughtful rule," which helps address methane emissions.

According to the EPA, these emissions are responsible for about one-third of current warming resulting from human activities.

"It particularly is impactful in Utah because of the geography of Utah," Simonsen said. "We have many valleys, and in the middle of those valleys, communities are situated. And many people are familiar with the inversions of Salt Lake Valley and Utah Valley and Cache Valley. It is a growing problem in the Uinta Basin as well."

Simonsen said the problem is exacerbated by ozone and other aspects related to methane releases which come from areas in the state that focus on high production of fossil fuels. He said to those who feel the rule is a "heavy hand of government," it's important to remember it will help ensure better health outcomes for everyone, especially people who live and work near oil and gas facilities.

According to the EPA, the rule creates a "streamlined pathway for owners and operators to demonstrate that new technologies" can help meet the performance requirements in the rule. Simonsen added Utahns have a great way to figure out how to turn challenges into opportunities.

"I'm totally convinced that the innovation that we see in Utah industry and the entrepreneurial spirit that embodies really the entire community is going to figure out how to do this and do it really, really well, " Simonsen continued.

Simonsen added the rule is what he considers to be the "lowest-hanging fruit" in the fight against not only the climate crisis, but the public health crisis as well.


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Utah's Great Salt Lake is shrinking, exposing more of its playa and lifting more potentially harmful dust particles into the air.

A new study seeks to understand the air quality and health impacts of the dust from the drying lake.

Kerry Kelly, associate professor of chemical engineering at Utah State University and the study's co-author, whose team took samples from the Great Salt Lake to assess what's known as the "oxidative potential" of dust particles, explained it gives researchers an indication of how materials within the dust could react with the lining of a person's lungs.

"That is important because more reactive materials and components can lead to inflammation," Kelly pointed out. "Inflammation is a very important process for all kinds of adverse health effects associated with particulate matter."

Kelly noted particulate pollution has been linked to health conditions and complications, from asthma to heart attack, stroke and even premature death. When the Great Salt Lake dust samples were compared to other regional playas, they were found to be more reactive, meaning they have a higher potential for serious health effects. Kelly added the study is the first of its kind and more research is needed to further understand the effects on air quality and public health.

Kelly asserted climate change is not the key driver to the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake. Instead, she explained, water diversions have led to the lake reaching historically low levels.

"We are taking the water, it's not making it to the lake," Kelly observed. "All of us -- residential, and commercial consumers -- we need to do our part but agriculture is about two-thirds of the story, so we're definitely going to have to work on agriculture."

Kelly stressed increasing dust storms are a concern in the Salt Lake Valley, located west of Utah's densely populated Wasatch Front. The research showed four to five dust storms occur in northern Utah every year, which transport metal-contaminated dust. For such situations, Kelly recommended staying inside and using a mask if you must leave the house.

With school in full swing, many Arizona students will take the bus to school.

Earlier this summer, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded $900 million of Clean School Bus Program funding to more than 500 districts across the country, some of which came to Arizona.

Currently, Arizona has secured 155 electric school buses, according to the Electric School Bus Initiative.

Hazel Chandler, Arizona State field organizer with Moms Clean Air Force, said smaller school districts in the state received enough funding to replace half their fleets.

She added that school districts are now looking to alternative avenues to continue transitioning.

"Some of them are using utility money, a lot of them are using bond money," said Chandler. "So they might have gotten a couple, or maybe three of four initially - but then they love them so much, and the families and kids love them so much they just continue to approve them."

Chandler said electric school buses, or ESB's, are game changers for students with asthma as they eliminate tailpipe emissions.

She added that the buses are also quieter, meaning a less chaotic ride for bus drivers and students. Chandler said while the federal government has done its part, more can be done.

She contended states could invest more to ensure ESB's are a top priority.

Brittany Barrett - deputy director with World Resources Institute overseeing their ESB Initiative - said older, polluting buses have disproportionately operated in school districts with more people of color, low-income households, and in rural areas.

But data from the institute show that since 2022, most ESB commitments have been allocated to serve those at higher risk of poorer air quality.

Barrett said limited funding, rebates, and grants are still available - and encourages districts to act.

"There are different ways to deploy buses within their range capacity," said Barrett, "that can ensure that the benefits of this transition happen first to those communities who need it the most."

Kevin Matthews is the head of electrification with First Student, which has committed to electrify 30,000 electric school buses by 2035 - resulting in a reduction of over 1.6 million pounds of greenhouse gases.

Matthews said while ESBs may have a costlier initial price tag, the cost savings are undeniable.

"This is primarily driven by lower cost of fuel," said Matthews. "Lower liquid changes like motor oils, engine cooling, those types of issues. Less wear and tear on brakes. So this is a significant change in that area."




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The advocacy group CleanAIRE NC is offering a virtual training session Thursday to help North Carolinians tackle air quality issues in their communities.

With air pollution affecting health statewide, the session will equip participants with strategies to understand air quality and advocate for change.

Brittany Griffin, advocacy manager for CleanAIRE NC, said many residents may not know how to address the issues or do not realize how much air pollution affects their daily lives.

"The training is important just to raise awareness and get them more comfortable about being an advocate for cleaner air," Griffin explained. "It's also important to know that this is a right that is protected under the Clean Air Act."

According to the American Lung Association, more than 40% of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, including North Carolina. Griffin noted the training is open to everyone, regardless of their experience in environmental advocacy.

Griffin highlighted the importance of the session during election season when policymakers are paying closer attention to environmental issues. Participants will learn how to engage with elected officials and receive a manual to guide their advocacy efforts after the training.

"The manual will actually dive into deeper technical strategies for engaging with policymakers," Griffin pointed out. "What we'll cover during the training is really just how to do thorough research, prepare to understand policymakers' positions and their key issues."

The session will also emphasize building partnerships with environmental groups, community leaders and local businesses.


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