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EPA preliminary ozone decision eases near-term planning pressure; UTA opens Mid Valley Express BRT
Summary
WFRC staff said a preliminary EPA determination that excludes certain transported ozone-forming pollutants from local conformity calculations could reduce the risk of federal planning sanctions that would limit project choices. Officials also celebrated the opening of UTA's all-electric Mid Valley Express bus rapid transit line.
A preliminary decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that would exclude ozone-forming pollutants transported into Utah from out-of-state or overseas sources could ease near-term regulatory pressure on regional transportation planning, officials told the Wasatch Front Regional Council Transportation Coordinating Committee on April 30.
"The EPA has made a preliminary determination that ozone-causing pollutants that blow in from outside of Utah ... will not be counted as we are determining how we are being measured for the ozone concentrations in our atmosphere," WFRC Executive Director Andrew Guber said. Guber said that without such an adjustment the region risked restrictions on how federal transportation dollars could be used, potentially limiting certain transit expansions.
Bryce Bird of the Division of Air Quality cautioned the committee that Utah remains in nonattainment for ozone and that the preliminary EPA action "buys us some time." Bird said EPA's reconsideration reduces the likelihood of near-term requirements such as an enhanced roadside emissions testing program and gives the state additional time to secure acceptance of its December 2024 state implementation plan. "We're still in non-attainment," Bird said, "but it does kind of help us from the next hammers that we were expecting."
Committee members said the determination would not reduce the region's ongoing focus on local emission reductions. Guber and other speakers emphasized continued investments in cleaner vehicles, transit, biking and walking to improve air quality and public health even as the regulatory posture changes.
In related news, members celebrated the opening of UTA's Mid Valley Express (MVX), an all-electric bus rapid transit line connecting Murray, Taylorsville and West Valley City. Carlton Christensen, a member of the UTA board of trustees, said the system opened a year ahead of schedule and will operate fare-free for an initial period to encourage ridership. "This is an all-electric bus system," Christensen said, and "for the first three years ... will be free."
The committee discussed local programs that encourage electrification: staff pointed to an ongoing incentive program for electric yard tools and small equipment and directed attendees to airqualityincentives.utah.gov for details.
The committee did not take formal action on air-quality rulemaking. Members asked staff to continue outreach and to monitor the EPA's decision on the state implementation plan, which has deadlines that could affect future transportation programming and conformity requirements.
The committee's next meeting is scheduled for June 18; members also noted a regional cycling event, the Golden Spoke, on May 16.
