US Magnesium Photo: EPA

SALT LAKE CITY — On February 27, Gov. Spencer Cox asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend the boundary of Utah’s Northern Wasatch Front ozone non-attainment area to include the US Magnesium facility on the southwestern edge of the Great Salt Lake.

This request follows an analysis by the Utah Division of Air Quality to identify volatile organic compound (VOC) reduction strategies that will simultaneously improve air quality, and meet the state’s Clean Air Act obligations.

“Utah has made significant strides in improving air quality over the past 10 years, but as our state continues to grow, we need to begin to look more strategically at opportunities to continue this trajectory,” Cox said in a press release. “This intentional approach gives us a focused range of tools that align with the outcome we all want – cleaner air and a better quality of life for Utahns.”
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VOCs, oxides of nitrogen, and chlorine are all emitted during magnesium processing, contributing to high pollution levels. A recent study estimated that US Magnesium could be responsible for as much as 25% of air pollution in northern Utah.

The Region 8 EPA administrator will now have 18 months to approve or deny Cox’s request.