The commute continues for state workers – even on smog days
Utah lawmakers have quietly repealed the state’s “surge remote work” policy, which previously encouraged state employees to work from home on poor air quality days. The rollback, buried in the final lines of HB404, will officially end the program on May 7, just as the summer smog season begins.
State officials claim the decision is based on UDOT traffic data that showed no statistically significant drop in vehicle use on surge days. But instead of looking for ways to strengthen or improve the program, the state is simply ending it.
UPHE is disappointed by this move. Remote work is a commonsense strategy to reduce pollution, and it should be emphasized and expanded, not scrapped. We know vehicle emissions are the leading source of winter air pollution in Utah, accounting for an estimated 55% of all winter emissions in the Salt Lake Valley. In a region plagued by chronic air quality issues—regularly ranking among the most polluted in the nation and sometimes the world—every action counts.
Salt Lake City’s geography traps pollution, especially during winter inversions and summer ozone spikes. Vehicle emissions are a key contributor to both. While the state claims the surge work program didn’t make a statistically measurable difference, it’s clear that pulling people off the roads whenever possible should remain a priority. If the program wasn’t working, the solution isn’t to ditch it quietly—it’s to fix it.
As this quiet repeal takes effect, we urge state leaders to reconsider their commitment to protecting Utah’s air and health. Remote work remains one of the most practical tools available to reduce emissions—and its benefits go far beyond the office.