Prosperity 2030 Day

Last week we celebrated the two-year anniversary of Prosperity 2030, our legislative framework to reduce emissions by 50% along the Wasatch front by 2030.

In October 2021 during a press conference at the Capitol, Sen. Kirk Cullimore emphasized the importance of air quality legislation and outlined Prosperity 2030's roadmap: address emissions from transportation, homes and buildings, and industrial sources.

During the 2023 legislative session, we passed the first major piece of Prosperity 2030 — HB 220 specifically addressed bromine pollution from industry, responsible for increasing our wintertime inversion pollution up to 25%.

And we aren’t done yet. Looking ahead to the 2024 session, we're excited to continue to tackle Prosperity 2030's goals with a series of bills and new legislative sponsors.

Community Renewable Energy Program Update

We have a utility agreement! This is a significant step in the right direction for the Utah Renewable Communities (formerly known as 'Utah 100 communities') and all 18 participating communities.

As a reminder, CREP gives each community the ability to work with Rocky Mountain Power to receive net-100% renewable energy. It is the most impactful step Utah can take to reduce our carbon footprint.

To move towards the final steps of the program, the 18 communities must have their community government's authorized signer sign the utility agreement by Nov. 17.

If you live in one of the participating communities, please reach out to your city council members and mayors encouraging them to sign the utility agreement. It is helpful to cite why renewable energy is important to you and its benefits for our air quality and climate.

For more information on the program and utility agreement, please click here.

In The News

GOP states raise fees on electric cars as gas tax revenue falls

As electric vehicles’ popularity rises, some states are concerned about lost gas tax revenue and, in response, are adopting EV annual registration fees upwards of $200.

During the 2023 legislative session, Utah passed an EV charging tax while lowering the state gas tax by two cents.

“Every time one of these bills comes out that creates new financial burdens to EV ownership, it produces fear and causes people to wonder what the next financial burden might enact be to EV ownership,” O₂ Utah policy director Eliza Cowie told the Washington Post.

Transportation is a significant factor in Utah’s poor air quality and older vehicles have an outsized impact (50% of emissions comes from less than 15% of cars). It is critical for our Legislature to make newer, cleaner vehicles, including EVs, more accessible for all Utahans.

General Election Voting

While it’s easy to get lost in national and state-level politics and elections, your municipality is where the action happens that most closely affects your day-to-day.

The safety of your streets from first responders to traffic patterns, how your community will grow and develop, and where your electricity comes from is all decided by your city council members and mayor. This municipal election cycle is significant for the future of programs like CREP that will ultimately provide us with clean energy and air.

As we prepare for the general election on November 21, check out our list of endorsed candidates. Our team has interviewed each candidate, and we’re confident these are the leaders Utah needs to ensure better environmental outcomes in our state.

Beyond voting, we encourage you to reach out to your elected officials, and candidates you vote for, to let them know why you support them and the climate issues that are important to you.

Ballots will be hitting mailboxes on October 31. One big change this year: you can postmark your ballot for return on election day! Happy voting!

Upcoming Events

Ranked Choice Voting Flight Night | Wednesday, October 25 | 6:00 p.m. | HK Brewing

Do you like kombucha? Want to learn more about ranked choice voting (RCV)?

With the help of Han's Kombucha and some of our endorsed candidates from RCV cities, we'll make sure you have all the info you need to vote on November 21. All while enjoying delicious kombucha flights!

Plus, Han's is generously donating a portion of sales to O₂ Utah!

Several cities, including Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake, have implemented RCV. So, if you live in an RCV city or just want to learn more about the process, join us!

Park Cleanup & Pumpkin Drop | Saturday, November 4 | 1:00 p.m. | Jordan River Nature Center

Join O₂ Utah, South Salt Lake City Council candidate Natalie Pinkney, and the Tracy Aviary for a community volunteer day cleaning up around the Jordan River Nature Center.

Plus, bring those old pumpkins and we’ll help you safely compost them. And come dressed to impress — break out those Halloween costumes one last time!

Sustaining Donor Monthly Giveaway

O₂ Utah sustaining donors make a monthly commitment to us, and now, we are making a monthly commitment to you.

Each month, we'll reward a sustaining donor with a gift card, swag item, or unique experience from a partner organization.

This month's prize is a $25 gift card to Sunday’s Best and two tickets to Cornbelly’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest.

Sustaining donors like you are the lifeblood of our fundraising efforts, allowing us to participate in elections and advocate for bold air quality legislation.

Donate today and toggle that 'Make it monthly!' button to help clean our air and be automatically entered to win each month!

O₂ Utah is an environmental nonprofit whose mission is to clean our state's air and eliminate our contributions to climate change through elections and policy. Donate Today to support our work and clean Utah's air.