The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) is accepting Near-Port Community Steering Committee applications. This committee is for Westside residents to speak up about local clean air and electrification efforts. The committee is part of the Clean Ports Program, a $112.4 million project funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Be on the Steering Committee
This committee will meet quarterly in 2026 and 2027 to help shape the program’s activities and discuss broader issues related to air quality and electrification. Committee members will receive a $100 stipend per meeting, along with free childcare, translation services, and refreshments.
This opportunity is open to residents of West Valley City and Salt Lake City’s six westside neighborhoods: Fairpark, Glendale, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, Rose Park, and Westpointe (see map). Interested residents can submit their application online in either English or Spanish by the Nov. 28 deadline. For questions, please contact Caroline Mackleby, community engagement manager for UIPA’s Clean Ports Program, at [email protected] or (385) 584-9366.
Clean Ports Program
The Clean Ports Program is a partnership between UIPA and the Utah Division of Air Quality (UDAQ) with the largest EPA grant ever awarded to Utah. Its primary focus is the Salt Lake City Intermodal Terminal (SLCIT), a major transloading facility operated by Union Pacific. Located near the Salt Lake City International Airport and other key distribution centers, the SLCIT is a hub for trade and logistics, with truck shipments arriving from as far as Montana. “This grant is a unique opportunity to improve air quality along the Wasatch Front – and serve as a model for electrification, generating key lessons learned that can be shared across the state,” explained Amariah Gibbs, UDAQ’s Clean Ports Program Manager.
The Clean Ports Program aims to improve air quality and climate planning at the terminal through several initiatives, including:
- Providing incentives for terminal operators to acquire zero-emission trucks and equipment.
- Building a solar microgrid to help power operations.
- Conducting a baseline emissions inventory to track progress.
- Assessing the workforce needs to prepare employees for the transition to cleaner technologies.
A focus on community
A key part of the grant is community engagement. “When we designed this project, we wanted to prioritize creating regular, accessible, and meaningful opportunities for the public to learn about and help guide these activities,” said Mona Smith, UIPA’s environmental and sustainability director and clean ports project manager. “This committee is a great chance for residents to get involved in shaping clean air solutions over the long term.”
Published: 10/21/25
Author: Caroline Mackleby