State rolls out online pollution-control certification for tax incentives, division says

Bart Kettle, regional operations manager with the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, briefed the Collaborative on Utahs pollution control tax certification rule and the state's online application portal. "The purpose of the rule is to protect the public health and environment," Kettle said, summarizing the statutory intent behind House Bill 373 (2024) that directed the division to implement a certification process.

How it works: Kettle said there are two eligible categories under the rule: freestanding pollution-control property and pollution-control facilities. To qualify an applicant must demonstrate that a pollutant exists in the stream, that the proposed equipment or facility yields a quantifiable reduction in pollution and that the net effect is a pollution reduction. After the division's technical review the agency issues a certification letter that an operator can submit to the Utah State Tax Commission to claim the incentive; applicants may appeal denials to the division's board.

Administrative details: Kettle said the division's permitting group has implemented an electronic application portal and is currently processing roughly 900 applications. He encouraged potential applicants to consult the rule text (R649-12 per transcript) and to contact the permitting team for guidance; he identified Adam Miller as the subject-matter lead.

Ending: Kettle said the pollution-control certification is one of several recent state policy changes intended to encourage technological and operational approaches that reduce emissions and protect public health.