Traditionally, Capitol Hill never has been a friendly haven for environmental causes. But you'd never know, judging from all the bills this legislative session targeting Utah's environment.
There are dozens of them: They would mandate recycling, get tough with hazardous-waste disposal, protect wildlife, clean up Utah's dirty air and protect Utah's cultural heritage.The Legislature even changed the name of the Health Committee to the Health and Environment Committee.
So is the Republican-dominated, pro-industry Utah Legislature really turning green? "I think there is a new consciousness up here toward the environment. A heightened awareness certainly," said Speaker of the House H. Craig Moody, R-Sandy.
Maybe, but Democratic critics say the only thing Republicans are aware of is that 1992 is an election year, and environmentalism is a hot political topic that now reaches beyond tree-hugger activism and into Utah schools and suburbs.
"It's funny how the Republicans all became environmentalists just in time for the election," said Sen. Scott Howell, D-Salt Lake. "It's uncanny how this conversion happened so quickly."
Rep. Joanne Milner, D-Salt Lake, is likewise perturbed. For years, she has championed environmental causes, only to be scoffed at by her Republican colleagues. When she placed paper-recycling bins at the back of the House Chamber, she was openly ridiculed.
"Now the Republicans are carrying the same kind of bills they would never let be debated five years ago. Or three years, for that matter," she said. "It's a sham."
Moody, who has sponsored a bill raising fees for hazardous-waste disposal, acknowledges the legislative process is slow and somewhat reactionary. But he says politics has little to do with sound environmental policy.
For example, three recycling bills being considered by the House were recommendations of a task force that exhaustively studied the issue. "I'd say 98 percent of all task-force bills pass because they study and study and study and they come in with solid recommendations," Moody said.
Really? Minutes after the Deseret News interviewed Moody, the House killed, by a 17-53 margin, a task-force bill that would have required landfills to recycle lawn clippings and other composts. Moody was among the 34 Republicans who voted against it.
"That's the problem right there," Milner said. "Here's a bill that says it is environmentally wise to separate usable lawn clippings from worn out patio furniture, and they vote it down."
Rep. David Ostler, R-Salt Lake, is the sponsor of the recycling bills, and though disappointed he believes lawmakers are more sensitive to environmental issues now than years ago. But a heightened sensitivity will take time.
"Utah is a conservative state, and people are afraid of change," Ostler said.
Most lawmakers agree that any radical changes to Utah's environmental laws will not happen this year. Or next.
What will pass is a package of bills designed to clean up Utah's air and promote the use of cleaner-burning fuels. Legislators also will pass a bill that raises disposal fees for hazardous waste, likely by $15 a ton over three years. Both issues have the support of GOP Gov. Norm Bangerter.
But Utah conservation organizations say the bills that will pass do not go far enough and do too little. And the legislative support, particularly Republican support, for environmental causes is a mile wide and an inch deep.
"I know I don't see any greening of the Legislature," said Ken Rait, issues coordinator for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "There is a wide difference between what legislators are doing and how environmentalists believe those issues should be dealt with."
Added George Nikas, assistant coordinator for the Utah Wilderness Association: "I don't see any more sensitivity now than in the past. People try to sound a lot greener, but it isn't happening. Not a greening by any stretch, at least not when it comes to public lands and wildlife issues.
"Traditional issues still have a lot of power, and they are leveraging their influence to make sure their interests are protected. It's intense because they are losing their lock on public lands."
Moody, who is widely believed to be a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, argues that wise environmental policy takes time and study. And he bristles at the suggestion his bills, or any other Republican-sponsored environmental legislation, are politically motivated.
"I was the one who carried the moratorium on hazardous-waste facilities in 1987. It was a good idea then and a good idea now," he said. "The reason you see more legislation is because legislators see more problems than they did five years ago."
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Growing greener?
"It's funny how the Republicans all became environmentalists just in time for the election." - Sen. Scott Howell, D-Salt Lake.
"I was the one who carried the moratorium on hazardous-waste facilities in 1987." - House Speaker H. Craig Moody, R-Sandy.
"I don't see any more sensitivity now than in the past. People try to sound a lot greener, but it isn't happening." - George Nikas, Utah Wilderness Association.