State of Utah Archives: on Environment
Allen Glines:
Ban puppy mills; make animal cruelty a felony
Ban "puppy mills" and mandate consistent conditions in which animals are bred for sale.
Pass legislation to make animal cruelty a felony.
Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com
Jul 21, 2021
Austin Searle:
Ban euthanizing at animal shelters
Once an animal is no longer cared for or abused and found, animal control will put the animal into an Animal Shelter. Once they are at the shelter for an extended period and cannot get adopted, animal euthanasia happens; this should be a
crime and considered animal cruelty. Instead, they should send them to an Animal Care Facility, where they can be loved and cared for until a home can be found.
Source: 2021-2022 Utah Senate race website AustinForSenate.com
Jun 27, 2021
Austin Searle:
Why no vote on clean water infrastructure bill?
Sen. Mike Lee is getting blasted on social media for being one of only two senators to vote against a clean water infrastructure bill. A Democrat looking to unseat
Lee in Utah also weighed in on the senator's vote. Austin Searle simply posted on Twitter, "Raise your hand if you believe in clean drinking water. Sen. Mike Lee seems not to think so."
Source: KUTV-2 CBS-TV on 2022 Utah Senate race
Apr 30, 2021
Craig Bowden:
EPA should only advise; enforcement is over-reach
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Fight EPA regulatory over-reach"?
A: Agree.
Q: Some examples of what you consider over-reach? What to do about the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act?
A: I would return the EPA to its original mission: advisory, not enforcement.
I think in cases where there are violations against another person (ex: dumping into water source), we need to have experts that can testify on behalf of victims, but there must be due process involved before any punitive measures are taken.
Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Utah Senate candidate
Mar 1, 2018
Dan Liljenquist:
States' right to control public land
While in St. George the would-be U.S. senator for Utah talked a lot about the state's rights. He said that he supported Utah's efforts to gain control of the public land. When asked about the Lake Powell pipeline he said that as a U.S. Senator he would
fight to keep the federal government out of the argument. He said that it is a local issue and that the federal government should let us figure it out and do whatever is best for us.
Source: StGeorgeUtah.com on 2012 Utah Senate debate
May 20, 2012
Evan McMullin:
Develop water conservation practices and infrastructure
For our children to flourish as we have for years to come, we must take sensible steps to protect these most vital natural resources by:- Improving western forest management
- Developing water conservation practices and infrastructure
-
Investing in innovations that decrease harmful emissions
- Encouraging job-friendly conservation in industry
- Strengthening diversified economic development in rural areas
Source: 2022 Utah Senate campaign website EvanMcMullin.com
Jun 10, 2022
Gary Herbert:
Balance land use between recreation and development
Governor Herbert announced that Utah has filed suit asking the court to invalidate Secretarial Order 3310 which created a "Wild Lands" designation for public lands. In Utah, our lands have supported a strong energy development industry and a vibrant
outdoor recreation industry. They can continue to do so if all stakeholders are allowed to collaborate. This Order will harm Utah's economy. Corporations will not invest resources to prepare new bids in an unsteady regulatory environment.
Source: 2011 Utah gubernatorial press release #4745
Apr 29, 2011
Gary Herbert:
Push refineries to produce cleaner fuel
Our environmental challenges won't be solved with hyperbole or misinformation. We must invest our limited resources in programs and technology that will actually work, not just rhetoric that ignores common sense.
That's why I am continuing to push for our refineries to produce much cleaner Tier 3 fuel as soon as possible. This is one of the most effective steps we can take to improve air quality.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Utah legislature
Jan 27, 2016
Gary Herbert:
Utah must commit to protecting its natural resources
We are currently enjoying a wet winter, but we know from history it may not always be that way.
We are currently enjoying a wet winter, but we know from history it may not always be that way. That's why my budget also calls for funds to help find long-term solutions to our water supply
to accommodate future needs. We must make an individual and collective commitment to be good stewards of our land, our air and our water.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Utah legislature
Jan 27, 2016
Gary Herbert:
Re-opened National Parks during 2013 shutdown
I see the Utah spirit as we set aside differences and work together for the common good. I witnessed this firsthand in the Fall of 2013. The gateway communities for our national parks were facing millions of dollars of lost revenue
if the parks stayed closed as part of the federal government shutdown.We immediately reached out to the Interior Secretary. And I still remember vividly our first conversation.
She agreed that it would be best for the parks to reopen but that nothing could be done.
My response was "rather than talk about what we can't do, let's talk about what we can do."
And within 72 hours from that call, with the support of local communities and legislative leadership the parks reopened and the tourists returned.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Utah Legislature
Jan 4, 2017
Jeff Burningham:
Unlock our State Institutional Trust Lands
Utah will realize its full potential when we manage our own lands and allow for responsible multiple use. It's time to strengthen our rural economies and unlock our
State Institutional Trust Lands, which were set aside to provide education funding for Utah's school children.
Source: 2020 Utah gubernatorial campaign website JeffBurningham.com
Jan 6, 2020
Jenny Wilson:
Why are our parks and canyons receiving so little?
Q: What are the issues you think are important to Utah that aren't currently being championed by our reps in the Senate?A: Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee focus on the "role of the Federal government" to the detriment of allowing the Federal government to
actually SERVE Utah's citizens. Meanwhile, state and local government is left to pick up the pieces. One example is that the forest service has no funds to apply to trail maintenance and our Wasatch Canyons are overrun. I appropriated $300,000 in County
funds a few months ago to build a bathroom up Cottonwood Canyon on Forest Service land. Why are our parks and canyons receiving so little?
Another example is how little the Federal government compensates rural Utah for its ownership of Federal Land.
For example, Garfield County is the size of Connecticut & most of its land is not taxable, yet the Federal government only provides around $850,000 annually to support that County. That's not enough to run basic government services for those residents.
Source: RanttNews on 2018 Utah Senate race
Aug 10, 2017
Jenny Wilson:
Build bikeways instead of just freeways
[Citing a Twitter posting from Alta Planning + Design]: "The entire 220-mile recommended bikeway network for Salt Lake City could be built for the same amount of money as widening 1.3 miles of freeway."Jenny Wilson for
Senate Facebook response: "Indeed it could. On the Salt Lake County Council, I've been working on active transportation and serve on the regional active transportation committee."
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Utah Senate race
Feb 6, 2018
Jonathan Johnson:
Air quality retains and attracts business
Air quality is a top issue for retaining and attracting business in Utah. Our valleys' air has a natural tendency to quickly become over polluted increasing health problems and costs while decreasing our overall quality of life. Everyone along the
Wasatch front shares the same air and responsibility to improve the conditions. To do this Utah should consider implementing tier three fuel standards, drastically cutting vehicle emissions, which accounts for the majority of the pollution in our state.
Source: 2016 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website, HireJJ.com
Dec 10, 2015
Mike Leavitt:
Spruce up, clean up and keep up our state parks
In a world where most jobs can be located anywhere, now, more than ever, preserving our quality of life is an economic imperative. The natural beauty of Utah and opportunities for recreation are a major draw.
For this reason I ask you to join me in a major drive to spruce up, clean up and keep up our state parks and monuments. These are our heritage.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Mike Leavitt:
Heritage Waters: 1% of all rivers for recreational fishing
I propose a new initiative to devote one percent of our streams and rivers to truly great fly fishing. By dedicating these waters to quality catch-and- release fisheries, and by devoting the revenue they generate to improving streams and habitat,
we can create a system of Heritage Waters that will not only preserve a wonderful part of our culture and recreation, but it will be an economic boon for the areas in which these waters reside.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to the Utah legislature
Jan 16, 2001
Mike Pence:
Our water and air are cleaner than ever; proud of our record
I'm very proud of our record on the environment. Our air and land are cleaner than any time ever recorded. Our water is among the cleanest in the world. The president signed the Outdoors Act. It's the largest investment in our public
lands and public parks in 100 years. So President Trump has made a commitment to conservation and to the environment.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Mike Weinholtz:
Air polluters know they are unlikely to be caught
Utah has become infamous for our pollution, especially during inversion season when our cities have some of the worst air quality in the nation. The harm is real and affects nearly every Utahn. Our dirty air means children can't play outside, causes
pregnancy complications, leads to premature death, and scares companies and families from relocating to our otherwise beautiful state.Air quality is complicated and requires a multi-pronged solution. As governor, I will give the Division of Air
Quality the tools they need, work with industries to find mutually beneficial solutions, and reduce personal and vehicle emissions.
The Division of Air Quality (DAQ) is consistently underfunded and can't afford enough enforcement officers to catch the
cheaters. Polluters know they are unlikely to be caught, and even if they are, it will take years for an investigation to turn into prosecution. I will fight to increase DAQ funding to let polluters know we will no longer tolerate their actions.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
Misty Snow:
Keep public lands open: federal control instead of state
We must keep public lands open. I stand with the 71% of Utahns that support the designation of Bears Ears National Monument. Not only would the Bears Ears Proposal protect almost 2 million acres of land sacred to many Tribes, but it would also stimulate
the economy in the surrounding areas. The president has the authority to designate national monuments, and I support his use of it to protect Bears Ears. The state legislature does not have the resources to care for the lands of which they are
trying to gain control. They only want to gain control of this land so that it can be sold to private hands, which would end public access to this land forever.
Our legislators could be standing with Native American Tribes, small business owners, and
the majority of Utahns. Instead they have chosen to file a frivolous $14 million bound-to-fail lawsuit against the federal government to try to gain control over these lands. Their actions are both unethical and fiscally irresponsible.
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com
Aug 8, 2016
Spencer Cox:
Supports new recycled-cardboard paper mill
In the last five years, the use of cardboard has grown by 40% due to the booming e-commerce industry. A paper production company, Crossroads Paper, is looking to change the way Utahns recycle their cardboard. The announcement of the paper mill drew
support from recycling organizations and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox.While traditional paper mills need large quantities of water to operate, the Utah mill's main water source will be groundwater or wells, not rivers or surface water.
The location will have its own water treatment site that will clean the water before and after its use.
Spencer Cox said the project had been a "long-time coming." Before speaking at the news conference, Cox said he received a notification via his
smartwatch that UPS had just delivered a package to his home. "That's the ecosystem in which we live," he said. "We desperately need this type of innovation."
Source: Deseret News on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 10, 2019
Vaughn Cook:
Tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality
Cook's platform calls for raising Utah's minimum wage, with potential exemptions for smaller and startup companies; tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality; expansion of Medicaid programs covering the poor; and greater transparency
with an end to closed-door caucuses on Utah's Capitol Hill.The fifth-generation Utahn previously served as chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party. He co-founded the Utah Centrist Democratic Council, a group
Cook described as seeking political solutions based "in the consensus of common sense" rather than "the extreme, uncompromising edges of the political spectrum."
"Used to be," Cook said, "that compromise was not a dirty word in Utah politics."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
Spencer Cox:
We not going to let the Great Salt Lake disappear
We find ourselves in the greatest drought in the western United States in over 1,200 years. A report predicted that in just five short years the Great Salt Lake will completely disappear. Let me be absolutely clear. We are not going to let that happen.
Last year, your parents and grandparents in the Legislature passed 12 major water conservation bills and $500 million in new funding. And even more important, the people of Utah responded by saving billions of gallons of water in our time of need.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Utah legislature
Jan 19, 2023
John Curtis:
Ban Natural Asset Companies from "ecological performance"
Representative John Curtis (R-UT) introduced a bill to protect Utah's public lands from Wall Street activist investors. The bill prohibits Natural Asset Companies, or any similar entity, from entering into any agreement that would impact land in the
state of Utah. "Wall Street shouldn't be allowed to control Utah's land just to meet with ESG goals," said Rep. Curtis [ESG: Environmental, social, & corporate governance]. "Western communities rely on public lands for their livelihoods, recreation,
and more. This rule, and any similar proposal to authorize Natural Asset Companies, is a direct threat to that way of life."
In 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a rule that would allow Natural Asset Companies (NACs) to own
the rights to ecological performance and license rights to minerals, water, or air from "sovereign nations or private landowners." In 2024, the rule was abruptly pulled after receiving widespread opposition, including from Congressman John Curtis.
Source: House press release "Wall Street" on 2024 Utah Senate race
Jan 19, 2024
Caroline Gleich:
Lobbied EPA to cut emissions from coal plants
Gleich described lobbying at a federal EPA hearing. "Walking into this, they had bused up hundreds of coal miners from the mines, and given them all signs, and we had to walk through this super long barricade of coal miners. It was really scary,"
Gleich said, "and when I spoke, not a single person clapped. It was a really intense experience. But at the end of this, the EPA required Utah coal plants to cut emissions that were causing haze in national parks. So it ended up being a win."
Source: Daily Utah Chronicle on 2024 Utah Senate race
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026