ASUSU VIEW: Cache air quality everyone’s problem
The scenic mountains of Cache Valley are truly a breathtaking site. However, during winter inversions, that breath becomes more difficult and harmful to intake. Those who have spent a winter in Cache Valley, particularly in 2004, can understand. The Wellsville and Bear River mountain ranges that surround the valley provide opportunities of enjoyment, but are also much to blame for the unhealthy air trapped during the cold winter months.
The foggy haze seen in Cache Valley consists of fine particles known as PM2.5. Due to the small nature of PM2.5, it is very harmful to residents’ health as one breathes it into their lungs. Once in ones’ lungs, the tiny particles increase the probability of asthma attacks, strokes, heart attacks and even death. Those who are most affected are the elderly, children and those who are regularly involved in outdoor activities.
So where does PM2.5 come from? The largest portion of this pollution is produced from the reaction of ammonia and the combustion of fossil fuels from our automobiles, wood stoves and power plants. The concentrations of ammonia are a byproduct of livestock waste and cold weather. Once PM2.5 is formed, it is trapped in the valley that most of us call home.
Cache Valley is currently walking a thin line in regards to federal standards of air quality. Three bad air days this winter with PM2.5 levels greater than 33 micrograms per cubic meter will push us over the limit and cause federal controls and restrictions to come into play, which will be financially costly to Cache Valley residents.
Utah State University has made many changes in the past few years in order to be more energy efficient and produce less air pollution. The old USU coal power plant was replaced with the new Central Energy Plant (CEP) that remarkably decreases the amount of pollution caused by 60-plus tons. Old fleet vehicles are being replaced by newer and more efficient vehicles. Nine out of 10 of the Aggie Shuttles operate on natural gas. Heating systems have been converted from fuel oil to natural gas in the Student Living Center. These are a couple of examples of steps that USU has taken for cleaner air.
As students and faculty of USU, we can also help out in the efforts of cleaning up Cache Valley’s air. Park your car when possible, walk, ride a bike, use the fare-free bus system, car pool. There are many options available and they are effective. USU scientists have found that on Sundays, a day that there is 45 percent less traffic, 20 percent less PM2.5 is found in Cache Valley air. Each of us can make difference. If, in all of Cache Valley, each of us would park our car one day a work week from November to March, we could decrease 375,000 pounds of pollution in the air.
Cache Valley is a great place to live. The mountains and the natural resources that we enjoy are truly a blessing. As J. Ruben Clark said, “A blessing always carries with it a responsibility.” Choosing clean air is one of those responsibilities that we must choose to act upon.
James Stuart is the ASUSU Natural Resources Senator. For more information of what you can do, contact jastuart@cc.usu.edu.