The mayors of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County are teaming up to promote environmentally friendly programs and initiatives.
Ralph Becker and Peter Corroon on Thursday announced the signing of a memo of understanding that permits the city and county to work together to develop new sustainability programs and work to improve those that are already intact.
Some of those efforts include air quality initiatives, renewable energy programs and advanced recycling programs.
"Both Mayor Becker and I are working hard on sustainability issues," Corroon said. "This (agreement) is simply making formal something that our staffs have been closely coordinating for some time."
City and county officials say the agreement will allow both government entities to use existing resources for sustainability measures more effectively.
"Working with Salt Lake County to achieve our sustainability goals is something that makes a lot of sense," Becker said. "I am looking forward to the results that will be achieved in the coming years, thanks to this new collaboration."
The city and county already are working together on several projects. They have jointly received a Solar America grant to investigate ways to promote investment in solar power in the region; they are working together with two energy performance contractors to find energy reduction opportunities in their buildings; and along with the Department of Environmental Quality, the city and county will be promoting air quality initiatives such as the Idle Free Utah campaign.
Additionally, the city and county collaborate on open space land projects and efforts to improve the Jordan River Parkway.