Guinn awaits local response on air quality

Erin Neff and Diana Sahagun

Thursday, July 12, 2001 | 11:03 a.m.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said Wednesday he is not willing to act as peacemaker between warring local governments in the air-quality debate.

He is, however, willing to reverse his decision granting Clark County authority to handle air-quality issues if local governments reach consensus on a regional approach with the necessary funding.

"I want to see a plan, but I'm not going to sit there and referee these people," Guinn said in an interview Wednesday prior to his speech to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. "Whatever they come with, you've got to have the money to run it."

Guinn said he has yet to receive a letter from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman asking for a meeting to discuss his recent decision to designate Clark County as the new air-quality agency.

That letter, which was sent to the governor Tuesday, says the city wants an opportunity to discuss alternatives on how to deal with air quality on a regional level. Of the upmost importance is giving the city of Las Vegas a voice and an ability to make decisions affecting air quality, according to the letter.

As the city waits for news on a meeting date, Clark County is moving ahead with plans to become the new air quality agency. On July 24 the county will hold a public hearing to discuss a new ordinance that would create the agency. The commissioners have committed to funding the new agency, expected to cost about $3 million.

City officials argue that there is already a way to deal with air quality -- through the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition. The coalition, composed of officials from throughout the county, is chaired by the mayor.

Goodman on Wednesday said he is confident that, if given the chance to sit down with the governor, he could convince Guinn to allow the city a voice on the new air quality board.

The cities of Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City have expressed frustration over Guinn's designation of the Clark County Commission as the sole air-quality control and enforcement agency.

Guinn said because the state Legislature failed to pass funding for a proposed regional agency he was forced to veto the legislation creating the agency. As a result, Guinn said he designated the county because of its ability to fund the estimated $3 million expense.

In his speech to the chamber, Guinn said the deteriorating quality of air should be reason alone to set aside differences.

"It's time for us to come together in this community," Guinn said. "You do not, as business people, want the (Environmental Protection Agency) to come here and take over our air quality system.

"It's time for us to do something about that," Guinn said.