The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management (DAQEM) programs and its air quality regulations must comply with the provisions of the Clean Air Act. The department is required to must monitor, regulate, and conduct long-term planning for air quality in compliance with the Clean Air Act and at the direction of the state of Nevada and the U.S. EPA (EPA).

ALA’s report giving Clark County an “F” for ozone is not new or unexpected. The organization uses zero-tolerance approach to air pollution. The ALA has established methods for determining air quality that do not reflect those set by the EPA. The ALA states in its report that it employed a “Weighted Average” system to derive the grade. ALA used data for the three year period from 2004 to 2006. The grades were assigned as follows: A=0.0, B=0.3-0.9, C=1.0-2.0, D=2.1-3.2, F=3.3 or more. Because the ALA system is very different from the Clean Air Act, an area can meet the ozone standard and still receive a failing grade. Clark County was in compliance with the ozone standard for 2004-2006, yet the ALA still gave it an “F”.

In March 2008, the EPA significantly strengthened the national air quality standards for ozone. It is estimated that Clark County will be among nearly 350 counties nationwide that will not meet the new standard.

The new standard will be difficult to meet because Clark County’s ozone levels are affected by things not within our control, specifically wildfire smoke and ozone transported in from other areas. Ozone is a regional problem, and needs regional solutions. Clark County is working with the EPA and other air agencies to take a regional approach, similar to programs used in other parts of the country. Clark County is committed to solving the ozone problem and will continue to work tirelessly with the community and the EPA until the problem is solved.

John Koswan
Assistant Planning Manager
Department of Air Quality and
Environmental Management