Air Quality Archives

The Great Salt Lake: An Update on Current Levels, Ongoing Challenges, and Our Next Steps

Explore the Great Salt Lake’s ecological significance and the challenges it faces in our latest blog post, ‘The Great Salt Lake: An Update on Current Levels, Ongoing Challenges, and Our Next Steps.’ Discover how low water levels due to drought, overuse, and climate change threaten its ecosystems and communities. Stay informed about current water levels and the urgent need for conservation efforts. Explore the role of policy changes and collaborative initiatives, including HEAL Utah’s legislative impact. Address environmental justice concerns and community-driven efforts to protect the lake.

ACT NOW: TELL UTAH STATE LAWMAKERS TO PRESS PAUSE ON NEW DATA CENTERS

The environmental impacts of data centers are extensive: as of April 2026, there are over 1,500 new data centers in various stages of development in the US. Fill out our action alert today to urge Utah’s state lawmakers for more transparency!

Air, Roads, and Seasons: Lessons from Utah’s Transportation Impact

Utahns are exposed to four air quality seasons. Read more to learn about the role that transportation plays on air quality and your health!

ACT NOW: URGE FEDERAL LAWMAKERS TO STOP DATA CENTERS

Take action and ask Congress to pause new data center approval until they can establish safeguards to protect communities from the impacts to our air, water, climate, and energy costs, and ensure that the public is involved in the decision-making process.

CLOSED: PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO SAFER STREETS: OPPOSE SB 242 “TRANSPORTATION AMENDMENTS”

Utah legislators are considering a bill that would subject Salt Lake City street design to stricter oversight from the state, and in some cases prevent the city from adopting traffic calming measures.

Public comment is now open on a proposed DAQ air permit near I-80

A new air quality permit has been proposed for a gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon, raising concerns about air pollution in an already overburdened area near I-80. While the proposal is smaller than past plans, it still allows emissions that could affect air quality, and public comment is now open.

HEAL’s Statement on Environmental Justice and Current Times

Since January 2025 the Trump administration has implemented a sweeping rollback of federal environmental justice efforts. The federal government has played a critical role in providing communities with the necessary resources to help them confront environmental risks, and this support must continue.

Improving Air Quality in Vulnerable Communities: A Recap of the AARP Community Challenge Grant

HEAL Utah is excited to be part of the AARP Community Challenge Grant, which supports our goal of building healthy, equitable, and livable communities in Utah. The Community Challenge Grant, which is part of AARP’s nationwide Liveable Communities Initiative, provides an opportunity to advance environmental justice and public health by expanding access to sustainable transportation.

Wildfire Smoke and Your Health: Understanding the Hidden Dangers in Our Air

Climate change relentlessly desiccates our environment, posing greater risks to our air quality every year, especially during wildfire season. Understanding the health risks of wildfire smoke can empower us to make changes in our community to advocate for cleaner air.

We have been selected as a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!

HEAL Utah is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 343 grantees selected (out of 3,300+ applications!) from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.