State Implementation Plan

Purpose of the State Implementation Plan

The Clean Air Act requires each state to meet national air quality standards for major pollutants. These standards, called National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), set limits for pollutants that affect health and the environment.

Every state must develop a State Implementation Plan (SIP) to show how these standards will be met, maintained, and enforced. SIP measures must go through a public process and are enforceable by both the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Visit Overview of the Clean Air Act and Air Pollution | US EPA (external link)
• Visit Reviewing National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Scientific and Technical Information | US EPA (external link)

SIP Framework

A SIP is the state’s overall framework for protecting air quality. It is not one document, but a collection of:

• Air pollution control strategies
• State statutes and regulations
• Local ordinances
• Technical analyses and planning documents

These elements describe what Nevada has done, is doing, and plans to do to meet federal air quality standards for the six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxides, lead, and particulate matter.

Nevada also enforces state air quality standards and has adopted most federal standards into state regulations.

• Visit NAC 445B.22097 (external link)

Nevada’s air quality regulations are updated as needed to reflect new requirements, improve clarity, or address changes in federal rules.

How the regulation process works

The process includes:

• Drafting regulation language with input from interested and affected groups
• Holding public workshops to gather comments
• Completing a legal review by the Legislative Counsel Bureau
• Presenting the draft at a State Environmental Commission (SEC) hearing for adoption
• Submitting adopted regulations to the Legislative Review Committee for approval
• Filing final regulations with the Secretary of State’s Office

Once filed, regulations become effective. Regulations that are adopted or scheduled for SEC consideration are available on the SEC website.

• Visit State Environmental Commission (external link) 

Nevada’s SIP is a “living” set of documents that has been updated many times as programs and requirements change. Because of this, the SIP is made up of many individual elements rather than one comprehensive file.

SIP responsibilities in Nevada

Nevada is divided into three jurisdictions for SIP development:

1. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP): Responsible for SIP work in all counties outside Clark and Washoe
2. Clark County Department of Air Quality: Manages SIP requirements for the Las Vegas Valley
3. Northern Nevada Public Health – Air Quality Management Division: Manages SIP requirements for the Reno-Sparks area

• Visit Clark County Environment and Sustainability (external link)
• Visit Washoe County Air Quality Management Division (external link)

Each agency develops and maintains its own SIP components for its jurisdiction.

Where to review SIP materials

Hard copies of Nevada’s SIP materials are available for public review at the NDEP main office.

SIP plans and technical studies prepared by Clark County and Washoe County can be found on their respective websites or at their local offices.

EPA resources

EPA Region IX also maintains an overview of Nevada’s SIP. You can view it through their Air Programs webpage.

• Visit Approved Air Quality Implementation Plans in EPA's Pacific Southwest (Region 9) | US EPA (external link)
   

Table 1. Attainment and maintenance area plans