Pollution credits ousted

Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

Clark County commissioners unanimously moved to phase out a controversial pollution-trading program targeted for criticism by environmentalists for years.

The commission, acting as the region's Air Quality Board, voted to end "interpollutant" trading in the controversial and complex Emission Reduction Credit Program.

The program allowed companies to gain pollution credits by paving roads, which reduces pollution from fine dust. Those companies could then sell the pollution credits to other companies for the right to put other pollutants, including carbon monoxide and other organic compounds, into the air.

The move Tuesday freezes the amount of credits that companies have. About 15 companies now own pollution credits. The companies still have five years to sell, trade or use their previously accrued credits.

The commission's decision also means that companies can now only apply the dust credits for the right to put dust in the air, not other kinds of pollution.

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