Utah Moms for Clean Air

Breathing in air pollution from traffic fumes can raise the risk of potentially deadly blood clots, a US study says.

Exposure to small particulates - tiny chemicals caused by burning fossil fuels - is known to increase the chances of heart disease and stroke.
But the Harvard School of Public Health found it also affected development of deep vein thrombosis - blood clots in the legs - in a study of 2,000 people.
Researchers said the pollution made the blood more sticky and likely to clot.The team looked at people living in Italy - nearly 900 of whom developed DVT.
Blood clots which form in the legs can travel to the lungs, where they can become lodged, triggering a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. The risk of DVT is known to be increased by long periods of immobility. In particular, passengers on long-haul flights have been shown to be vulnerable, but so are people who spend long periods of time sitting at their office desk without exercising, or walking around.

Researchers obtained pollution readings from the areas they lived and found those exposed to higher levels of small particulates in the year before diagnosis were more likely to develop blood clots.The Archives of Internal Medicine report said for every 10 microgrammes per square metre increase in small particulates, the risk of developing a DVT went up by 70%. Air quality guidelines generally state that small particulate concentrations should not exceed 50 microgrammes. Lead researcher Dr Andrea Baccarelli said: “Given the magnitude of the effects, our findings introduce a novel and common risk factor into the development of DVT.

“And, at the same time, they give further substance to the call for tighter standards and continued efforts aimed at reducing the impact of urban air pollutants on human health.”
Dr Beverley Hunt, medical director of the DVT charity Lifeblood, said: “We have known for some time that air pollution has been associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke. “This study shows for the very first time that air pollution also increases the risk of clots in the veins and tells us why. “It’s an exciting finding because air quality is something we can improve on through tightening air quality legislation.”

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/health/7396733.stm

Dear Moms and all Utahns for Clean Air,

What’s more important than voting on November 4th? Attending your political party caucus or mass meeting on March 25th!

Party caucuses are not just for political junkies. In fact, that is where an ordinary person’s vote can make the most impact. By attending those important initial meetings, you can help ensure candidates representing you and your values make it on the ballot in November.

Join Utah Moms for Clean Air, Utahns for Public Schools, and several other Utah non-profits for a tutorial on getting involved in the Republican caucuses and Democratic mass meetings. Participating non-profits will also give briefings on key issues in the upcoming state elections—everything from air quality and the environment to education to healthcare.

There will be three informational sessions and trainings in Salt Lake County:

Thursday, March 6th, 6:30-8:00 pm
South Jordan Library, 10673 S Redwood Rd

Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30-8:00 pm*
West Valley Cultural Center, 1355 W 3100 S
*Spanish and English sessions available

Thursday, March 13th. 6:00-7:30 pm (space is limited)
Health & Wellness Building, Westminster College
1840 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City

As Governor Jon Huntsman said in his 2008 State of the State Address, “The power of our state comes from people who are concerned about their government. Government is a personal responsibility. You are the greatest safeguard against depersonalized government and the antidote to apathy.” At mass meetings, caucuses and party conventions, priorities are set and candidates are chosen. This is where we as a people determine the future direction of our communities.

These decisions should not be left to small minorities and factions within parties to decide. It should be a process engaged in by the public. With so many important issues at stake in this upcoming election, including moving our state towards cleaner air, we need candidates on the ballot who can lead us in the right direction. Please take this opportunity to get involved in the political process.

For more information about caucuses, check out Utahns for Public Schools’ website.

Thanks for working for clean air!

— Cherise, Dana, Cameron, Travis, Michelle, Pat, Deborah, Lori, and Jennifer
The Founders of Utah Moms for Clean Air

We’re passing along the following action alert from the League of Women Voters.

Soon the Transportation, Environmental Quality and National Guard Appropriations Subcommittee will take final testimony and a final vote on the appropriation for Air Quality Planning.

We are asking you to send an email to or call members of the appropriation committee listed at the end of this message.

The Governor has requested $2.21 million for air quality planning, and the Fiscal Analyst recommended $2.21 million.

However, on January 24, in the preliminary vote, the subcommittee approved only $1.5 million.

So far, there has been no indication which amount the subcommittee intends to approve.

It would be timely for the committee to be educated that:

• Citizens think air quality is a critical issue.
• Citizens expect the Legislature to provide the financial and moral support the Department of Environmental Quality needs to do its work and clean up our air.
• We are concerned about transparency and good government.
• We are paying attention.

Please use your own words to explain how important these matters are.

REMEMBER YOU SPEAK ONLY FOR YOURSELF, NOT THE LEAGUE.

Be polite and positive. Use CONTACT INFO below.

***********************************************

Transportation, Environmental Quality, and National Guard Appropriations Subcommittee members.

Carlene Walker, Co-chair, cwalker@utahsenate.org, 733-4599 R-Cottonwood Heights dist 8
Wayne Harper, Co-chair, wharper@utah.gov, 566-5466 R-West Jordan dist 43
President John Valentine, jvalentine@utahsenate.org, 224-1693 R-Orem dist 14
Sheldon Killpack [Assistant Majority Whip], skillpack@utahsenate.org, 773-5486 R-Syracuse dist 21
Fred Fife, ffife@utahsenate.org, 521-7383 D-SLC dist 1
Glenn A. Donnelson, gdonnelson@utah.gov, 782-2640 R- N Ogden dist 7
Todd E. Kiser, toddkiser@utah.gov, 571-0179 R Sandy dist 41
Becky Lockhart, blockhart@utah.gov, 377-7428 R-Provo dist 64
Patrick Painter, ppainter@utah.gov, 636-0296 R-Nephi R dist 67
Kenneth Sumsion, ksumsion@utah.gov, 368-8299 R-American Fork dist 56
Neil A. Hansen, neilhansen@utah.gov, 393-1514 D- Ogden dist 9
Neal Hendrickson, nhendrickson@utah.gov, 969-8920 D-WVC dist 33

Ann O’Connell,
LWV Utah Legislative Action Director

Today’s League of Women Voters Legislative Update on KPCW asked a question that we’ve been asking ourselves: what happened to air quality in the budget?

Advocates for clean air are puzzling over what happened back on January 24 in the Transportation, Environmental Quality, and National Guard Appropriations Subcommittee, which funds the Division of Air Quality. The recommendation of the Legislative Analyst was for $2.21 million for air quality planning, but the preliminary vote was for $1.5 million, significantly less. Members of the committee say this was not actually a vote, and besides $1.5 million is about the right amount. Then why did the analyst recommend $2.21 million? Clean air advocates, which is most of us, would like to know.

You can read the minutes and listen to the audio, but the people to ask are the committee members.

Rep. Wayne A. Harper, Co Chair (R - Dist 43, West Jordan)
Sen. Carlene M. Walker, Co Chair (R - Dist 8, Cottonwood Heights)
Rep. Glenn A. Donnelson (R - Dist 7, North Ogden)
Sen. Fred J. Fife (D - Dist 1, Salt Lake City)
Rep. Neil A. Hansen (D - Dist 9, Ogden)
Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson (D - Dist 33, West Valley City)
Sen. Sheldon L. Killpack (R - Dist 21, Syracuse)
Rep. Todd E. Kiser (R - Dist 41, Sandy)
Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart (R - Dist 64, Provo)
Rep. Patrick Painter (R - Dist 67, Nephi)
Rep. Kenneth W. Sumsion (R - Dist 56, American Fork)
Sen. John L. Valentine (R - Dist 14, Orem)

Check the League of Women Voters website for daily Utah Legislature updates or listen to KPCW and KCPW each morning for updates. Listen to the above update.

UPDATE Tuesday, February 5th

Senator Carlene Walker says:

“We take testimony from each department one day and take a PRELIMINARY vote at the next committee meeting. Because the request had changed drastically since we had met with DEQ last summer we approved the previous amount and asked for further backup as to why they needed more money. We had not been told about the federal cuts. We have now met with the head of DEQ … and they will be speaking to the whole committee to see if they can justify the large increase in request. The final votes should be taken toward the end of the week. I hope that helps in explaining the process.”

Hello Utah Moms for Clean Air!

We knew that this 45-day period of the legislative session would be busy. We promised in our last call to action that we would be supporting legislative to clean up both cars and coal. Today is your chance to support a clean air and efficient vehicle tax incentive that is being voted on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 (9th in line for the vote) and we’re asking you to act TODAY!

House Bill 106, sponsored by Representative Roz McGee (D) of District 28 and Senator Greg Bell (R) of District 22 is called the Clean Air and Efficient Vehicle Tax Incentive. It will incentivize purchase and retrofit of clean-fuel vehicles and help reduce emissions by vehicles.

We are asking you to write (email) or call your representative to ask them to vote in favor of H.B. 106 in the upcoming vote on the bill. Time is of the essence, so contact them Monday, if at all possible. Go to the House’s website to find your Representative’s contact information. A combination of an email and a phone call will be most effective since time is so short.

The following information on H.B. 106 is provided by Utah Clean Energy:

This legislation would provide performance‑based, fuel and technology neutral incentives for efficient and clean vehicles. Consumers would receive a tax credit for the purchase of a new vehicle ($1,000) meeting air quality and fuel economy guidelines set by the US EPA, or conversion of a vehicle ($2,500) to run on clean fuel such as natural gas, propane and electricity. This tax credit would sunset on December 31, 2013.

Main Points

• Currently, Utah has a tax credit for up to half the incremental cost of an alternative fuel vehicle’s powertrain and fuel system. There are some problems with this statute, as it provides full incentives for used vehicles that have limited remaining useful life and associated benefits. Some of these used vehicles are no more efficient and no cleaner than today’s passenger cars. This bill closes this loophole and supports the cleanest and most efficient vehicles.
• This 2008 legislation seeks to improve the existing statute to provide incentives for new vehicles meeting the highest standards for fuel efficiency and air pollution. It is fuel and technology neutral.
• It proposes a $1,000 tax credit for vehicles that meet criteria for fuel efficiency and air pollution. The vehicles currently eligible for this credit include: Honda Civic GX (CNG), Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid, Mazda hybrid Tribute, and Ford Escape hybrid. This list is may change as technology advances.
• It maintains the existing $2,500 tax credit for the conversion of vehicles to run on clean fuels through the installation of certified conversion equipment, providing an important incentive for cleaner natural gas conversions.
• It eliminates a requirement that owners of clean fuel vehicles annually purchase a clean special fuel tax certificate, which is not easily enforced and contributes little revenue to the State.

Important Point

• It is designed to let industry and the market decide the best technologies to meet air emission and fuel efficiency criteria, and streamlines the State’s administration of the credit.

What are the benefits to Utah and Utah’s Citizens?

• Help reduce reliance on foreign fuel and improve energy security. Proposed legislation would encourage the purchase of vehicles with an improved fuel economy of 41 to 44 percent, therefore reducing Utah’s reliance on foreign oil [1].
• Improve Utah’s air quality, benefiting our public health. Choosing a vehicle with the highest efficiency compared to an average economy car, can reduce of air pollutants such as NOx (by 71%), NMOG (by 89%), CO (by 50%), and HCHO (by 78%).[1]

[1] Source: Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, 2007; NOx=Oxides of Nitrogen: Compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen; they combine with hydrocarbons in the sunlight to form smog; NMOG=Non-Methane Organic Compounds: Compounds containing carbon; they combine with NOx in the sunlight to form smog; CO=Carbon Monoxide: A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas; HCHO=Formaldehyde: A lung irritant and carcinogen

Thanks so much for all you do!

— Cherise, Dana, Cameron, Travis, Michelle, Pat, Deborah, Lori, and Jennifer
The Founders of Utah Moms for Clean Air

Utahns are lucky. Our state has an abundance of waste-free, carbon-free, renewable sources of energy. Yet, as our air gets dirtier and our climate hotter and drier, just 0.5% of our energy generation comes from renewable sources.

We can and must do better. As the Utah State Legislative Session begins this week we have a chance to do just that. This session, Sen. Scott McCoy (D-Salt Lake) is sponsoring a bill that sets a standard of 25% of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025, while also promising renewable energy development in rural Utah. Twenty-six states already have similar standards, though none have ever been proposed in Utah.

Unfortunately, Rocky Mountain Power — the state’s largest electric utility — is pushing a competing bill that could stifle renewable energy development in Utah. This bill, sponsored by Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo), puts Rocky Mountain Power in the driver’s seat while giving the utility every opportunity and excuse to put the brakes on actually delivering renewable energy to Utahns.

Join us Wednesday for a citizen lobby day and press conference to support the “real McCoy” renewable energy standard and help us show the Legislature that Utahns want meaningful renewable energy legislation now.

What: “Real McCoy” Renewable Energy Citizen Lobby Day
and Press Conference
Where: Utah State Capitol Rotunda
When: Wednesday, January 30th
9:30am - 11:30am Citizen Lobbying
11:45am - 12:30pm Press Conference

S.B. 173 Renewable Energy Provisions:
Track online or Read the bill.

(more…)

The Utah legislative session for 2008 just opened a few days ago and things are already hopping. You can keep up to date on pending legislation that affects Utah’s air quality through the “Legislation” link on our website. Please check in often as it will be updated frequently through the session. We will also be sending you action alerts for specific ways you can support relevant and pending legislation and make your voice heard loud and clear on capitol hill. So be sure to subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t already.

I just spent a few minutes writing letters to my state senator and representative to let them know how important air quality is to me and that I’ll be watching the session closely. I let them know that I’ll keep them updated on relevant legislation and told them I’ll be available to assist in any way in passing effective clean air bills.

I encourage all Utah Moms for Clean Air to do the same. Find your legislators here, and write a quick note to both your representative and senator and keep in contact with them regularly throughout the session.

In her Dec 16th column in the Salt Lake Tribune, Rebecca Walsh wrote, “Breathe in those diesel fumes, kids: Schools, highways don’t mix.” She provided an interesting overview of the health effects when children live and go to school near highways, an issue Salt Lake and Davis County residents have struggled with recently.

• “Breathe in those diesel fumes, kids: Schools, highways don’t mix,” Rebecca Walsh, Salt Lake Tribune, December 16, 2007.