Utah Announces 12-Year Plan To Reduce Emissions

Presented by KUTV.Com.

Written by Justin Burch - KUTV Greener Living

Last week, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality announced a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 28 percent before 2020. The reduction would bring the state’s overall emissions to 2005 levels and keep an additional 27 million tons of carbon – or nine tons for each Utah resident – out of the atmosphere.

The state hopes to achieve the goal via cleaner energy production throughout the state, participation in cap-and-trade emission programs, improved transportation systems and more fuel-efficient vehicles. While responding to environmental and public health concerns, the plan also hopes to counteract some the projected influences of climate change such as extended heat waves and earlier snow melts.

Approximately 85% of Utah’s electricity is generated at coal-burning power plants, a major source of carbon emissions. The state hopes to decrease energy dependence on such plants and commit more resources to renewable energy. Over time, increased energy efficiency in Utah’s homes and businesses is also expected to improve environmental conditions.

By 2012, state officials also hope to have tighter emissions standards and a cap-and-trade system in place for the most polluting industries. Likewise, the state hopes to reduce traffic and automobile emissions in the next few years via improved mass-transit systems and ride-sharing programs.

While Utah lags behind some states in fighting greenhouse gas emissions, officials believe the state’s high growth rate has complicated such environmental changes. Though the goal outlined by the state is not accompanied by new environmental policies, it is thought that numerous policies and regulations will be instituted in coming years.

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