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> One of the downsides of being a red state is less will to address environmental concerns like this. Practically speaking... what would you expect that they d

by donw 6y ago

> One of the downsides of being a red state is less will to address environmental concerns like this. Practically speaking... what would you expect that they do about it? As a California native, I've seen just how bad short-sighted environmental regulation can be. And it's not like pollution isn't an issue in Los Angeles or the Central Valley, both of which enjoy a strong geographic advantage compared to SLC. So, what sort of regulation could the state pass that would mitigate the problem? Given the geographical and economic constraints.

npunt 6y ago
As a California native who grew up in LA, I'm extremely grateful for California Air Resources Board [1], which set standards for air quality that helped LA reduce some pretty terrible historic pollution issues, despite growing significantly over the same period [2]. CARB has also been important to fighting climate change by creating a model for other states and nations to follow. LA is definitely not geographically advantaged when it comes to pollution, given it is a big basin. I'm not sure who wins the geographically disadvantaged olympics, but SLC and LA are more alike than not in this department. Utah could adopt CARB's stricter air quality standards for one. They could also shutdown or limit pollution sources, including those from home heating. And they could reduce the growing sprawl by encouraging density and public transportation. I'm not a regulatory expert so I can't give you more specifics than that, but it's not like these things aren't possible. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Air_Resources_Board https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Air_Resources_Board [2] https://timeline.com/la-smog-pollution-4ca4bc0cc95d https://timeline.com/la-smog-pollution-4ca4bc0cc95d
- donw 6y ago
  Salt Lake already looks to have a better AQI than LA[1][2], though, and pretty much every new car sold is 50-state compliant (which includes CARB). So, Utah has already effectively adopted CARB standards, and the rest of your suggestions fit in the same category -- I don't see them making a difference, or being feasible. [1] https://www.iqair.com/usa/california/los-angeles https://www.iqair.com/usa/california/los-angeles [2] https://www.iqair.com/usa/utah/salt-lake-city https://www.iqair.com/usa/utah/salt-lake-city (On an unrelated note, I like your site -- mine is less populated, but is also a love letter to a less complicated Web.) :)
  - npunt 6y ago
    Good point about how CARB standards have gone national, didn't realize that shift had occurred. CA isn't standing still though and will be requiring zero emissions trucks [1], which I'm not sure other states will be as ready to follow. Hopefully it'll get fleets to simply switch over. Ya LA is still struggling mightily, especially inland. SLC metro area is a tenth of LA (1.2mm vs 13mm) and growing faster, so these forces may even out. Geographic destiny is hard to overcome. (Thanks! I wish we could go back to those simpler times) :) [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/climate/zero-emissions-trucks-california.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/climate/zero-emissions-tr...

by donw 6y ago

npunt 6y ago

As a California native who grew up in LA, I'm extremely grateful for California Air Resources Board [1], which set standards for air quality that helped LA reduce some pretty terrible historic pollution issues, despite growing significantly over the same period [2]. CARB has also been important to fighting climate change by creating a model for other states and nations to follow. LA is definitely not geographically advantaged when it comes to pollution, given it is a big basin. I'm not sure who wins the geographically disadvantaged olympics, but SLC and LA are more alike than not in this department. Utah could adopt CARB's stricter air quality standards for one. They could also shutdown or limit pollution sources, including those from home heating. And they could reduce the growing sprawl by encouraging density and public transportation. I'm not a regulatory expert so I can't give you more specifics than that, but it's not like these things aren't possible. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Air_Resources_Board https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Air_Resources_Board [2] https://timeline.com/la-smog-pollution-4ca4bc0cc95d https://timeline.com/la-smog-pollution-4ca4bc0cc95d

donw 6y ago
Salt Lake already looks to have a better AQI than LA[1][2], though, and pretty much every new car sold is 50-state compliant (which includes CARB). So, Utah has already effectively adopted CARB standards, and the rest of your suggestions fit in the same category -- I don't see them making a difference, or being feasible. [1] https://www.iqair.com/usa/california/los-angeles https://www.iqair.com/usa/california/los-angeles [2] https://www.iqair.com/usa/utah/salt-lake-city https://www.iqair.com/usa/utah/salt-lake-city (On an unrelated note, I like your site -- mine is less populated, but is also a love letter to a less complicated Web.) :)
- npunt 6y ago
  Good point about how CARB standards have gone national, didn't realize that shift had occurred. CA isn't standing still though and will be requiring zero emissions trucks [1], which I'm not sure other states will be as ready to follow. Hopefully it'll get fleets to simply switch over. Ya LA is still struggling mightily, especially inland. SLC metro area is a tenth of LA (1.2mm vs 13mm) and growing faster, so these forces may even out. Geographic destiny is hard to overcome. (Thanks! I wish we could go back to those simpler times) :) [1] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/climate/zero-emissions-trucks-california.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/25/climate/zero-emissions-tr...