EPA announces tighter restrictions on air pollution

By Megan Messerly

Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 | 9:30 a.m.

The Environmental Protection Agency tightened restrictions on air pollution Thursday, cutting the amount of ozone allowed at ground level.

The new standard sets the maximum amount of ozone at 70 parts per billion, down from 75 parts per billion, the standard established in 2008. EPA scientists had recommended a standard of between 60 and 70 parts per billion

Over the last year, some Nevada leaders, including Gov. Brian Sandoval and five mayors in Southern Nevada, raised concerns about the negative economic impact that tightened standards would have on Nevada and the West.

In reaction, Sandoval reaffirmed the state’s commitment to clean energy, but said that the new ozone standard may unfairly punish the state due to factors outside of its control. “I have asked the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to thoroughly review the final rule but must reserve the option to pursue all avenues available to protect Nevadans from the irreparable harm this decision may potentially cause.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, in a recent letter to the EPA, argued that a lower standard could stifle job growth, deter businesses and hurt local government across Southern Nevada.

On Thursday, Goodman said that she was concerned about the ability of Southern Nevada to comply with the ozone rules by 2018 and that the region could lose billions of dollars in federal funding for transportation projects if it fails to meet the deadline. “We have been working for and achieving air-quality improvements, but we need to keep the goals attainable,” Goodman said.

Sen. Harry Reid praised the new standards Thursday, saying they would benefit community health. He also dismissed worries that Nevada would be unable to meet the standards, saying that the state has invested $6 billion in renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal. “I applaud the administration for taking the important step to reduce ozone pollution,” Reid said. “In Nevada, where we’ve made clean energy a priority, we are well-positioned to meet the updated ozone pollution standards.”