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Senate adopts research-grade air and water monitoring for inland port area in substitute SB 144
Summary
Senate adopted a first substitute to focus environmental monitoring in the inland port area on research-grade air and water data (removing sound and light) and emphasized the baseline is not an EPA standard; the bill passed and will be sent to the House.
The Senate substituted and passed legislation to establish a baseline program of environmental monitoring focused on air and water quality in the Utah inland port area and at Salt Lake International Airport.
Senator Escamilla presented the first substitute to SB 144, explaining the substitute narrows the bill to research-grade air and water monitoring and removes provisions for sound and light. He said the bill is intended to create a state-level baseline to inform future policy and emphasized the baseline is "research grade" and not equivalent to EPA regulatory standards.
Senator Vickers asked whether creating a baseline could expose the state to additional regulatory risk under EPA standards; Senator Escamilla replied that the baseline is for state research and "will not create any additional standards or any additional information that could be used on EPA purposes for a lawsuit." Supporters said including monitoring at Salt Lake International Airport reflected concerns about future airport expansion and inland-port emissions.
The Senate adopted the substitute and passed first substitute SB 144 by roll call (26 yay, 2 no, 1 absent). The bill will be sent to the House for further consideration.
