Big West Oil Partners with Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air

The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State University has announced a $50,000 partnership with Big West Oil, made possible through the Call to Action Philanthropies, the institute’s first Peak-Level community partner.

“Policymakers need reliable, research-driven insights to guide Utah’s land, water and air policies. The institute connects them with the expertise and data to make informed decisions,” said Brian Steed, executive director of the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air. “Support from committed partners like Big West Oil helps us understand and respond to challenges on Utah’s shared resources with best available science and policy.”

These funds will support the institute across all five of its pillars – serving as a trusted resource to policymakers; expanding land, water and air research; creating professional opportunities for students; engaging with the Utah business community; and providing convenings and thought leadership regarding Utah’s land, water and air.

"Partnering with Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air is an important part of our mission to enhance the communities we serve,” said Mike Swanson, president of Big West Oil. “We are committed to protecting Utah's land, water and air, not only by investing in pollution control and reducing emissions, but also by ensuring a sustainable future for our community and economy.

Since its founding in 2021, the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air has had a pronounced impact on Utah’s shared resources and policy. It has partnered on the Great Salt Lake Strike Team, providing needed science on the lake; spearheaded a major research program to address Bear Lake opportunities and challenges; founded the Colorado River Collaborative to build awareness of issues facing the river along with potential solutions; and engaged with Utah’s business community to support innovative air and water practices.

The Institute’s Community Partners benefit from deep engagement on Utah’s most pressing shared resource issues through advisory board service, VIP invitations to events, regular access to senior staff and regular idea exchanges between the public, private and academic sectors. To learn more about becoming a Community Partner, please visit www.usu.edu/ilwa/partners.

About Big West Oil

Located in North Salt Lake City is a complex high-conversion refinery operated by Big West Oil LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of FJ Management Inc. The facility employs about 250 people and supplies fuel products to many select customers in the Intermountain West, including Maverik, Pilot Flying J, Costco, Smith’s, Sam Club and others.

About Call to Action Philanthropies

Call to Action Philanthropies include the Call Foundation (private) and Call to Action Foundation (private operating), which are dedicated to increasing access to education, affordable housing, and food security for underserved communities throughout the West and Midwest. FJ Management and its subsidiary companies fund the mission of Call to Action Philanthropies, including Maverik and Big West Oil. Since 2007, the foundations have invested more than $100 million to improve the lives of working families throughout the West and Midwest.

About the USU Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air

Established in 2021, the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air at Utah State University envisions a Utah that values its shared natural resources to create a high quality of life for all Utahns. By providing policy makers with the trusted research they need to make evidence-based policy decisions, the institute provides critical context to Utah’s most pressing land, water and air challenges today and for our future.