Utah environmental officials said the state's air quality improved in 2014.

They attributed the good news to new pollution controls--and more frequent storms. Public clamor led state officials to push hard for abating air pollution. Also adding impetus to pollution control efforts is Utah's geography that traps pollution in its bowl-shaped mountain basins.

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Bo Call, who monitors the pollution for the Utah Division of Air Quality, said dirt counts fell by half in some northern parts of the state throughout inversion periods in 2014.

Dirt counts of 81 parts per million were reported in the northern part of Provo throughout the period when winter pollution was worst in 2013, which was more than twice the federal standard. It decreased to 25 in 2014.

The count in Salt Lake City fell from about 59 parts per million to about 45 parts per million, which is still higher than the federal standard.

December normally brings thick smog and sparks public outcries. In 2013, thousands of people assembled on the steps of the state capitol to urge the government to do more to mitigate the problem.

Erin Mendenall, policy director for Breathe Utah, said public pressure and the fog drove the issue to the forefront at Utah's Legislature.

Mendenall said  eight bills were signed by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert supporting cleaner cars and replacing wood burning stoves.

Call said pollution control regulations together with restrictions on consumer pollutants also contributed to the improved air quality in 2014.

"If we get a storm every four or five days, if you're pushing a lot of snow, and there's a lot of great skiing, then it's generally better," Call added.

TagsUtah, air quality, new pollution controls, storms, pollution monitoring, environmental issues, Environment