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Ultra-Low NOx Water Heaters Background and Guidance
Guidance regarding ultra-low NOx water heaters (H.B. 313 and R307-230). Background During the 2025 General Session, the Utah State Legislature passed H.B. 313, Construction Industry Amendments, which amended Utah State Code 19-2-107.7 to limit the applicability of the nitrogen oxide emission limits for natural gas-fired water heaters set in 15A-6-102 from applying statewide to only…
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Understanding Great Salt Lake Dust and Air Quality
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, fed by the Bear, Jordan, and Weber rivers. The lake is a terminal lake, meaning pollutants build up within it rather than flushing downstream. Sediments in the lakebed contain elevated levels of natural and human-caused compounds, such as arsenic. As the lake…
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Public Comments Regarding Revisions to R307-150, Emission Inventories
Public Comments Received
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Charge Your Yard Incentive Program for Residents
The Charge Your Yard program offers incentives for residents in Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, and Weber counties to switch from gas-powered to electric yard equipment. Looking for the incentive program for businesses? Charge Your Yard for Businesses Applications are closed Sign up to get notified about future incentive programs Charge Your Yard Incentive Program *…
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Uinta Basin Grants & Special Projects
The Utah Division of Air Quality offers grants to oil and gas producers in the Uinta Basin to voluntarily reduce emissions to address winter ozone pollution caused by oil and gas operations. The Division also uses funds from oil and gas settlements to support special projects that improve air quality in the Uinta Basin. Sign…
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Upcoming Air Quality Funding
Utah was awarded several large new grants in 2024: the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Implementation Grant (approximately $75 million), the Clean Ports Program Grant ($110 million), and the Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Grant ($60 million). These grants will fund several new programs focused on incentivizing electric vehicles (EVs), EV chargers, e-bikes, electric equipment, solar,…
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VOC to NOx relationships and Impacts of Smoke on Ozone in the Wasatch Front
To meet ozone standards in the Wasatch Front, this project analyzes the role of local and non-local emissions, especially from wildfires. Researchers will assess wildfire impacts on ozone and PM2.5 levels using satellite and in-situ data, and study ozone sensitivity to NOx and VOCs through formaldehyde-to-NO2 ratios. Insights from this work will inform emission reduction…
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Temporal and Spatial Measurements of Surface-to-Boundary Layer Ozone using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)
Using drones and portable ozone monitors, this research will capture detailed pollutant data near the Great Salt Lake to complement existing ground and airborne measurements. Coordinated with the Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS), the project will gather crucial information on ozone and other pollutants to address research goals on ozone sources and vertical oxidant exchange.
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Quantification of Halogen-Initiated Atmospheric Chemistry in the Wasatch Front
Focused on the unique atmospheric chemistry of Salt Lake City, this study investigates the influence of regional halogen emissions on ozone and particulate matter. By measuring chlorine-induced reactions with volatile organic compounds, researchers will quantify the extent of halogen-driven oxidation. The findings will provide essential data on how regional industrial emissions contribute to air quality…
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Projecting the impacts of a shrinking Great Salt Lake on dust exposure along the Wasatch Front
This project examines the dust exposure risks from the receding Great Salt Lake, using models to simulate dust emissions and transport across the Wasatch Front. It will evaluate the impact of different water levels on dust exposure, providing Utah DAQ with data to determine dust source contributions and identify communities at risk.
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Improving Soil NOx Emission Estimates for the Wasatch Front
This study examines the impact of soil nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions on air quality in the Northern Wasatch Front, with a focus on refining NOx emissions modeling. By updating inputs in the Berkeley-Dalhousie Soil NOx Parameterization (BDSNP) for the MEGAN biogenic emissions model, the project aims to improve NOx emission estimates. Results will enhance understanding…
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Assessing Global Background Ozone Transport Pathways to the Northern Wasatch Front
This project uses high-resolution modeling to explore how international and regional ozone is transported into the Northern Wasatch Front. By analyzing vertical transport patterns, the study will provide a mechanistic understanding of ozone levels in the area, supporting regulatory planning. The findings are crucial for refining air quality models and informing future policy demonstrations.
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Utah Oil and Natural Gas Regulations
In December 2023, EPA issued a final rule to reduce emissions of methane and other air pollutants from existing and new crude oil and natural gas operations, including oil and natural gas production, processing, transmission, and storage. The rule, referred to as Subpart OOOOb, includes new Standards of Performance, outlines new requirements to reduce VOC…
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SmokeReadyUtah: Building smoke-ready communities through air quality monitoring, health messaging and targeted interventions
SmokeReadyUtah provides support for underserved urban and rural communities to handle wildfire smoke. This program provides indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring along with enhanced health messaging and targeted interventions, providing communities and schools with the information they need to minimize their exposure to wildfire smoke. The project will be completed in March 2027 and…
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Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is leading a large-scale campaign that will increase our understanding of ozone chemistry and emissions sources. During the Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS), NOAA will be deploying two mobile labs and an aircraft that contains an exhaustive suite of instrumentation to measure the meteorology and ozone precursors that…
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Marginal Conventional Well Closure Grant
A subset of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program under the Inflation Reduction Act The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Air Quality (DAQ) $2.7 million to reduce methane emissions from marginal (low-producing) oil and gas wells in the Uinta Basin. Grant funds…
