Petition said started for clean air agency

At their Monday workshop session, county commissioners noted that more action is happening for those on the side of banning marijuana in the county.

“There have been some requests from the marijuana ban group about us creating a clean air agency in the county,” Commissioner Art Swannack reported.

Clean air agencies enforce federal, state and local regulations to reduce air pollution.

Swannack reported he researched the Clean Air Agency of Spokane County to see what the program costs and how it’s staffed.

“It costs them $2.3 million a year to operate,” Swannack said. “They fund it through a combination of a property tax assessment, fees to city, grants and fines.”

There are seven local clean air agencies in Washington.

Swannack said that he’s not advocating for this agency, but wants the other commissioners and staff members informed since a petition has been started for the clean air agency.

“I thought it would be good to see what Spokane costs to operate. Even if it were half that cost I don’t see where in the budget we could do it,” Swannack said.