UPDATE Pub. 3 2021-2022 Issue 1

The Ozone Challenge I n August, a reporter with the Salt Lake Tribune published a story titled “The EPA said Utah’s ozone pollution was harming public health. Industry groups pushed the state to blame China instead.” Read full story here at https://www.sltrib.com/news/ environment/2021/08/25/hijacked-by-polluters/. He asked us to participate in the story, and we did. Our business dealings are on the up and up, we have nothing to hide, and you, as our members, supporters, and friends, deserve an organization that is willing to stand up and tell our side of the story proudly and vigorously. The reporter implied in the story that the Utah Petroleum Association was among a group of industry trade associations attempting to do two things: 1. He implied that we attempted to exert undue influence on state regulators by funding a study that sought to better understand the sources of ozone, presenting the study to state regulators, and then advocating on behalf of its conclusions. State regulators are under absolutely no obligation to enact what we recommend, but we would be derelict if we didn’t weigh in on policy on behalf of our members who stand to be impacted by any proposed policies. I would expect any group with a material interest in the issue to do exactly the same thing, and in fact, they are. 2. He implied that we’re attempting to pass the buck on ozone emissions and skirt responsibility for our role in ozone formation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone should take an honest look at where emissions are coming from and make data- driven decisions. We are an industry of problem solvers who live, work and play in Utah. We have a solid track record of significantly reducing emissions and will continue positively contributing to reducing ozone through Tier 3 gasoline production. It is interesting then that the very same reporter published an article about a month later vindicating many of our points. In the September 17 issue of the Tribune, a story called “‘It could take years’ to solve ozone pollution on the Wasatch Front, state regulator says” highlighted a number of interesting points. (Review the story here at https://www.sltrib.com/news/2021/09/15/ it-could-take-years-solve/?utm_source=Salt+Lake+Tribune&utm_ campaign=05faa26141-TopStories091621&utm_medium=email&utm_ term=0_dc2415ff28-05faa26141-45511518. Or, listen to Director Bryce Bird’s full testimony to the legislature here https://le.utah.gov/av/ committeeArchive.jsp?mtgID=17770. HOW IS OZONE FORMED? Lung-irritating ground-level ozone is created when vehicle engines and other everyday activities emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine and "cook" in the sun. 8 UP DATE