Issue Position: Air Quality

Issue Position

I think most of us do not enjoy inversions, smog, and pollution. But I also think that the overwhelming majority of Utahns are willing to do their part to reduce the impact of their choices on air quality during critical weather patterns. As an economist, I understand the reluctance of individuals to incur costs when the benefit almost exclusively accrues to others. (We call that an externality.) I am not sure we need a state government deciding what behaviors are offensive enough to be called crimes. I prefer to inform our citizens about the effects of their decisions, based on the best available science, and if that is not enough, we can create positive incentives to reward conscientious decision-making.

Source