This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Lately I've been dismayed to see the thick smog that lies over the valley. Not only is it ugly, but I was recently diagnosed with a medical condition that affects my lungs and breathing, making me wonder whether I should really be living here.

Along the same lines, my office mate recently moved here from Texas to work for our company. When the smog got worse a few weeks back, she had an allergic reaction to the air that made her eyes swell up. She is going to take some medication, but we are worried she will leave us to move to a less polluted place, which would be unfortunate because she is a real asset to our company.

These are just two examples, but I'm sure they represent many more. So of course I was unhappy to read that Gov. Gary Herbert's marvelous new approach to improving air quality requires everyone but the biggest polluters in the state to help with the problem ("Utah governor moves to help businesses, schools reduce emissions," Tribune, Dec. 28). Surely even a pro-business state can see its way clear to asking giant corporate polluters to join the effort to improve our air?

Or maybe Utah leaders can't see their way clear because it's just so smoggy.

Kate Coombs

Bountiful