Utah Clean Energy is thrilled to be selected for a Cooperative Agreement from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Program.  Our project, titled”Advancing Climate Resiliency & Equity through Electrification” will build resiliency and addresses indoor/outdoor air pollution challenges that have historically burdened Salt Lake City’s Westside communities. Governments and utilities are adopting “beneficial electrification” strategies (i.e., induction cooktops, electric heat pumps, electric vehicles) to improve indoor/outdoor air quality and mitigate climate change. However, underrepresented communities are historically left out of program design even though they experience the greatest burden for air pollution and the impacts of climate change.

In addition, we will be utilizing the U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model to guide us in our work with these community organizations. This particular model focuses on the “Commitment to ensure that all people are treated fairly and given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”