Air Bills Passed During the 2025 Utah Legislative Session

HB0085 | Environmental Permitting Modifications

Clancy, T.

This bill required the Department of Air Quality to develop and publish guidance and rules related to utilizing federal plantwide applicability limitations (air quality permits that set a single emissions cap for an entire facility). HB 85 also required the division to review and report on its processes related to permit by rule registration and to include at least five new categories of sources in the division’s permit by rule program.

HB0352 | Geologic Carbon Storage Amendments

Watkins, C.

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This bill established regulations for geologic carbon storage in Utah, particularly concerning Class VI injection wells used for underground carbon dioxide storage. The bill granted the Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining enforcement authority over these wells upon receiving primacy from the Environmental Protection Agency. It introduced civil and criminal penalties for violations, including a class B misdemeanor for knowingly providing false information or destroying records related to carbon storage, with fines up to $5,000 per violation. The bill also required enforcement actions to be initiated within two years of discovering a violation and allowed the board to issue corrective notices and emergency orders when necessary.

HB0420 | Halogen Emissions Amendments

McKell, M.

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This bill required major halogen sources to adopt control technologies to reduce emissions and modify their operating permits to meet new requirements. This is based on a study commissioned in previous years.

SB0216 | Environmental Quality Amendments

Shipp, R.P.

This bill was enacted to implement significant changes in the state’s environmental governance and radioactive waste management. The bill introduces a new gross receipts tax of 16.67% on radioactive waste received from generators who ship to Utah for the first time between June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2028. Additionally, it imposes a per-cubic-yard tax of $3.45 on radioactive waste. Revenue generated from these taxes will be deposited into the Utah Energy Research Fund, with an estimated one-time revenue of $30,015,000 in fiscal year 2026. The bill also shifts certain revenues from the Uniform School Fund to the Energy Research Fund for waste from generators not shipping to the state prior to June 30, 2025. Furthermore, S.B. 216 exempts waste facilities within a hazardous waste corridor from obtaining certain approvals inherent to the creation of such corridors. The bill also enacts changes to the Air Quality Board, including the expiration of all current board members’ terms effective July 1, 2025, and the appointment of new members with specified qualifications. These changes aim to enhance the board’s effectiveness in addressing air quality issues in Utah.

SCR005 | Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Radon Action and Awareness Month

Stratton, K.

This is a resolution that would recognize January as Radon Action and Awareness Month to help raise awareness about the health risks of radon gas and encourage people to test and fix their homes.