Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah, joined 21 other Republican governors in signing onto a letter calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to pause a new rule limiting air pollution. Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Utah state representative, Brian S. King, released the following statement in response:
“We need cleaner air, not only for Utah residents right now, but for future generations. Particle pollution, which this rule is positioned to address, is one of the most dangerous forms of pollution to breathe. Instead of standing with the people of Utah’s public health, Governor Cox chose to stand with other partisan Governors. In doing so, he continues to somehow make clean air a partisan issue. It’s no secret that Utah has some of the worst air quality in the country, and we need a Governor who will do everything possible to make it better.
“Our leaders have a responsibility to be good environmental stewards by supporting common-sense policies to clean up our air and protect our quality of life. Unfortunately, by falling in line with the national Republican agenda and asking for EPA air quality rules to be relaxed, Governor Cox is putting the interests of culture wars and click-bait politics above the needs of our state – again. Utahns deserve a governor who is willing to do what’s right for us every time, not just when it’s politically convenient. As Governor, I’ll do just that. I hope you’ll join me in cleaning up Utah’s air quality – for the better.”
