USU's Report to Governor & Legislature Underscores Utah's Emerging Energy, Water Needs

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air released its annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Thursday, offering a collaborative and expert look at some of the state’s pressing issues related to land, water and air.

“This report is designed to help inform policymakers and other decision makers so that we can know more and do better,” said Brian Steed, the institute’s executive director.

The 2025 report distills current science and on-the-ground experience on Utah’s most pressing natural resource issues — land, water and air — with two special chapters on energy and Utah’s future.

This year’s report, the fifth of its kind, includes, among other topics, new findings on Utah’s air quality, how state lands are recovering after wildfire, and a spotlight on water conservation efforts through the Great Salt Lake Basin. State legislators, community leaders and academic experts attended the report release to hear key findings and discuss strategies.

“In the report, USU’s researchers and community partners provide insights crucial for Utah’s future — balancing growth, conservation and quality of life in Utah,” said Anna McEntire, the institute’s managing director.

A few key takeaways from this year’s report include the following:

• Animal overpasses are working and are a good investment.
• The cut flower business is a rising star in the agricultural industry.
• The shape of a park or greenspace can significantly impact its effectiveness.
• More than 100 dams in Utah need significant infrastructure upgrades.
• Greater efforts may be needed beyond current carp removal to bring Utah Lake back to health.
• Wildfire smoke is chemically different from other types of pollution and may need additional consideration.
• Policy options could be developed for managing data centers in impaired airsheds.
• A large portion of Utah’s land could be considered lower conflict for critical mineral operations in Utah.

New this year was a morning legislative training co-hosted by the institute, the Utah Department of Natural Resources and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. In the training, state leaders briefed Utah legislators on the latest science, trends and policy issues surrounding Utah’s natural resources.

“We are continuing to build partnerships, and this event is a clear indicator of how we’re working together with the state,” Steed said. “In addition to providing ‘lightning talks’ on key issues for legislators and issue briefs from our annual report, and we’re also pleased to include the presentation of the Utah Water Pioneer Award in this year’s event.”

Mike Schultz, speaker of the Utah House of Representatives, presented this year’s Water Pioneer Award to Jamie Barnes, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, highlighting her work on helping to manage Great Salt Lake.

The event included remarks from Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Senator John Curtis (via video), and USU’s Board of Trustees Chair Tessa White.

“The institute embodies a 'higher purpose for higher education’ — an unwavering dedication to ensuring that the groundbreaking science happening on our campuses directly informs the critical decisions made by our policymakers,” White said. “This institute exists because we believe good science should never stay trapped in a lab or a journal. It belongs at the table where decisions are made. The report is exactly that — a bridge between the data and the decisions that shape Utah’s future.”

Experts from Utah State University also discussed their research work and its potential application toward environmental policy. The panel included:

• Brady Cox, professor of civil and environmental engineering, shared his work on cost-efficient seismic engineering.
• Timothy Walsworth, assistant professor of Watershed Sciences, addressed efforts to manage invasive carp at Utah Lake.
• Larissa Yocom, executive director of USU’s new Utah Forest Restoration Institute, shared insights on managing Utah’s forest land to be more resilient to wildfire.

“Our work is about more than research — it’s about connecting people, ideas and data so Utah can proactively address pressing environmental issues,” said Stephanie Frohman, associate director of the institute.

“I've long believed that Utah’s future, its economy, its health and our quality of life depend on how we manage our land, our water, and our air,” Sen. Curtis said. “The challenges we face are significant, but so is our commitment to practical, principled solutions.”

The full 2025 report is published online and available to the public at ilwa.usu.edu.