This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Tribune's editorial on Aug. 19, "Killer heat," described the deadly danger of ozone and the fact that ozone deaths are statewide and not just along the Wasatch Front. We have now exceeded the EPA's standard for ozone this summer and that could result in the EPA requiring Utah to develop a formal plan for ozone reduction. There would almost certainly be costs associated with such an effort.

The editorial also points out that "More than half of our ozone precursors come from motor vehicles." From mpgforspeed.com and according to studies backed by the Department of Energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases cars are:

• 3 percent less efficient at 60 mph

• 8 percent less efficient at 65 mph

• 17 percent less efficient at 70 mph

• 23 percent less efficient at 75 mph

• 28 percent less efficient at 80 mph

So, a car driven at 80 mph is polluting more than a car driven at 60 mph! That means that, in effect, our legislature is contributing to our ozone counts by raising speed limits!

Kermit Heid

Salt Lake City