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House Approves $250,000‑a‑Year Funding for Uinta Basin Air Quality Research
Summary
Senate Bill 118 obtained House approval to fund Uinta Basin air‑quality research at $250,000 per year from a dedicated investment account with a six‑year sunset; proponents said the research is needed to understand winter ozone formation in the basin.
The House voted to approve funding for ongoing air‑quality research in the Uinta Basin via Senate Bill 118 on March 2.
Representative Chu (House sponsor) said the Uinta Basin problem is distinct from Wasatch‑Front ozone issues and described an existing research effort led by the Bingham Research Center at Utah State University Extension and USU Extension in Vernal. The bill would provide $250,000 per year from the Infrastructure and Economic Diversification Investment Account and include a six‑year sunset at which time the legislature can reevaluate the need for continued funding.
Representative Brad King and others supported the bill, noting unusual ozone conditions tied in part to snow cover and seasonality and urging continued study. Sponsor Chu said the funds replace lost sponsor funding and do not come from the general fund.
The House recorded 67 yea votes, 0 nays; the bill will be signed by the Speaker pro tem and returned to the Senate for the president’s signature.
Next steps: researchers and the sponsoring agencies will continue the study; the six‑year sunset requires a future legislative decision on continuation.
