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House takes step toward cleaning up Utah’s air

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Salt Lake City has some haze and blue skies as seen from the Capitol. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and other municipal leaders met at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 to call for a new policy direction at the state level and pos

Salt Lake City has some haze and blue skies as seen from the Capitol. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and other municipal leaders met at the Capitol in Salt Lake City, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 to call for a new policy direction at the state level and positive, definitive action to address the air quality situation.

Ravell Call, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House took a step Thursday toward cleaning up Utah's air.

The House passed HB96, which provides tax credits for cleaner burning fuels, by a 58-13 vote.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Draxler, R-North Logan, received bipartisan support on the floor, with Reps. Joel Briscoe, D-Salt Lake City, and Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, both speaking in favor of the bill.

The bill extends corporate and individual income tax credits for cleaner burning fuels through 2018, providing tax credits for lesser polluting vehicles such as electric cars and vehicles retrofitted to burn natural gas.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Mary Mellor