Editorial: Stay firm so that air is healthy

Monday, Aug. 6, 2001 | 9:55 a.m.

No one thought regulating air pollution in the valley was going to be easy. But the Clark County Commission already is facing a reality check -- and it hasn't even had the opportunity to have its first meeting in its new role as air quality regulator. As Launce Rake reported in Friday's Sun, high dust levels have been found at the Apex Industrial Park over the last three years, exceeding federal pollution standards. That means the county will have to toughen air pollution regulations in the area encompassing the industrial park.

Adam Titus, the chief operating officer of Apex Industrial Park, said new curbs on pollution could threaten $20 million in private investments and make it more difficult to lure new investors to the industrial park. And if the pollution rules at Apex are no different than those found 15 miles away in the more populated areas of the Las Vegas Valley, Titus contended, then companies may not see a benefit to locate at Apex. "The regulation takes away our competitive advantage," Titus said. Titus also isn't happy that the county, which encouraged the development of the Apex Industrial Park, now may take actions that could end up adversely affecting the area.

Titus' frustration is understandable, but the fact is that the entire valley likely will have to live with tougher restrictions so that we meet federal standards intended to ensure that we have healthy air to breathe. Commissioner Bruce Woodbury, who will be chairman of the county's air quality board, said he will work with the industrial park to mitigate the impact from the new rules. Still, it is refreshing that Woodbury also said that the environment is a top priority and that "there are probably going to be some toes stepped on" as the county carries out its new responsibility. If the air in the valley is to improve -- and the Las Vegas Valley is to escape federal sanctions from the Environmental Protection Agency -- then it is essential that elected officials have the fortitude to strongly support strict air quality standards.