Chapter Three - Sources of Impairment in Nevada 

 

3.1 BACKGROUND 

3.2 SOURCES OF VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT 

3.2.1 Natural Sources of Visibility Impairment 

3.2.2 Anthropogenic Sources of Visibility Impairment 

3.3 DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2002 AND 2018 EMISSION INVENTORIES 

3.4 POINT SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORY 

3.4.1 2000-2004 Baseline Emissions 

3.4.2 2018 Projected Emissions 

3.5 FIRE EMISSION INVENTORY 

3.6 AREA SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORY 

3.7 OVERVIEW OF EMISSION INVENTORY SYSTEM – TSS 

3.8 EMISSIONS IN NEVADA 

3.8.1 Nevada SOx Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.2 Nevada NOx Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.3 Nevada VOC Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.4 Nevada POA Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.5 Nevada EC Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.6 Nevada PM Fine Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.7 Nevada PM Coarse Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.8.8 Nevada NH3 Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

3.9 SUMMARY OF 2018 EMISSION PROJECTIONS 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-1 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-2 

 

3.1 BACKGROUND 

Federal visibility regulations at 40 CFR 51.308(d)(4)(v) require a statewide emission inventory 

of pollutants that are reasonably anticipated to cause or contribute to visibility impairment in any 

mandatory Class I area. The pollutants discussed in this chapter are sulfur oxides (SOx), which 

include the particulate and gaseous phase, sulfur dioxide (SO2), which includes the gas phase 

only, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOC), primary organic aerosol 

(POA), elemental carbon (EC), PM fine (PMF), PM coarse (PMC), and ammonia (NH3). 

Emission scenarios that were used for this analysis were the “Plan02d” and “PRP18a” 

inventories and were obtained from the Technical Support System (TSS ) 

(http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/TSS/Results/Emissions.aspx). These inventories represent a series 

of refinements to previous inventories reflecting increasing levels of quality control and quality 

assurance by states and Western Regional Air Partnership’s (WRAP) Regional Modeling Center 

(RMC) contractors. 

This chapter presents the analysis of the sources of emissions of visibility impairing pollutants 

identified above. Emission inventories form one leg of the analysis stool to evaluate sources’ 

impacts on visibility. Emission inventories were created for all critical chemicals or species 

known to directly or indirectly impact visual air quality. These inventories were input into air 

quality models to predict concentrations of pollutants over a given space and time. In support of 

the WRAP Regional Haze effort, RMC developed emissions inventories representing: 

• 2002 Actual Baseline Emissions (Base02) 

• 2000 Through 2004 Typical Baseline Emissions (Plan02) 

• 2018 Base Case Emissions (Base18) 

• 2018 Preliminary Reasonable Progress Emissions (PRP18) 

The base and plan inventories represent a series of refinements to each inventory reflecting 

increasing levels of quality control and quality assurance by states and RMC contractors. The 

purpose of the Base02 inventory is to represent the actual conditions in calendar year 2002 with 

respect to ambient air quality and the associated sources of visibility impairing air pollutants. 

The purpose of the Plan02 inventory is to represent baseline emission patterns based on average, 

or “typical”, conditions. It provides a basis for comparison with the 2018 projected emissions, as 

well as for gauging reasonable progress with respect to future year visibility. 

Base18 represents conditions in future year 2018 with respect to sources of criteria and 

particulate matter air pollutants, taking into consideration growth and controls. The Base18 

emissions scenario includes reductions due to “on-the-way” and “on-the-books” controls, 

consent decree reductions, SIP control measures, and other relevant regulations that have gone 

into effect since 2002, or will go into effect before the end of 2018. Modeling results based on 

the Base18 emission inventory are used to define the future year ambient air quality and 

visibility metrics. The PRP18 inventory was created to establish the most representative sourcespecific emissions projections data as the basis for preparing regional haze plans. The PRP18 

inventory includes reductions to SOx based on presumptive Best Available Retrofit Technology 

(BART) emission limits for large electric generating units (EGU)’s subject to BART. 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-3 

 

Dispersion modeling predicts daily atmospheric concentrations of pollutants for the baseline 

year, and these modeled results are compared to monitored data taken from the Interagency 

Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) network. A second inventory is then 

created to predict emissions in 2018 based on expected controls, growth or other factors. 

Additional inventories are also created for future years to simulate the impact of different control 

strategies. 

3.2 SOURCES OF VISIBILITY IMPAIRMENT 

Emissions have been categorized by pollutant, source category and source area to provide for 

emissions analyses (Table 3-1). 

TABLE 3-1 

SUMMARY OF POLLUTANTS, SOURCE CATEGORIES, AND SOURCE AREAS

Pollutants Source Categories Source Areas 

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Point Sources Pacific Offshore 

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Anthropogenic Fire Sources Atlantic/Gulf Offshore 

Volatile organic carbon (VOC) Area Sources WRAP States 

Primary organic aerosol (POA) WRAP Oil and Gas Sources CENRAP States 

Elemental carbon (EC) On-Road Mobile Sources Midwest RPO States 

Particulate matter fine (PMF) Off-Road Mobile Sources MANE - VU States 

Particulate matter coarse (PMC) Road Dust VISTAS States 

Ammonia (NH3) Fugitive Dust Canada 

 Natural Fire Sources Mexico 

 Biogenic Sources 

 Wind Blown Dust 

Natural fire sources, biogenic sources and windblown dust are shown in italics to denote that 

they are natural sources; all other sources are anthropogenic. 

3.2.1 Natural Sources of Visibility Impairment 

Natural sources of visibility impairment include anything not directly attributed to human-caused 

emissions of visibility-impairing pollutants. Natural events (e.g. natural fire, biogenic emissions, 

and windblown dust) also introduce pollutants that contribute to haze in the atmosphere. Natural 

sources contribute to visibility impairment but natural emissions cannot be realistically 

controlled or prevented by Nevada or other regulatory agencies. In Nevada, natural sources are 

important contributors of EC, PM fine, PM coarse, POA, and VOC emissions. 

3.2.2 Anthropogenic Sources of Visibility Impairment

Anthropogenic or human-caused sources of visibility impairment include anything directly 

attributable to human-caused activities that produce emissions of visibility-impairing pollutants. 

Some examples include point sources, area sources, mobile sources, oil and gas sources, road 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-4 

 

dust, fugitive dust and anthropogenic fires. Generally anthropogenic emissions include not only 

those that are generated or originated within the boundaries of the United States, but also 

international emissions that are generated outside of the United States but transported into the 

region. Some examples include emissions from Mexico, Canada and maritime shipping 

emissions in the Pacific Ocean. Note that Mexican and Canadian emission inventories include 

both anthropogenic and natural emissions. 

Although international anthropogenic sources contribute to visibility impairment, they 

cannot be regulated, controlled or prevented by Nevada and, as with natural emissions, 

are beyond the scope of this planning document. Any reductions in international 

emissions would likely fall under the purview of the USEPA administrator. Table 3-2 

shows that in Nevada, anthropogenic sources are important contributors of SOx, NOx, and 

NH3. The source of data summarized in Table 3-2 is shown in more detail in section 3.8. 

TABLE 3-2 

SUMMARY OF ANTHROPOGENIC AND NATURAL EMISSION SOURCES IN

NEVADA

2002 2018 

Anthropogenic Natural Anthropogenic Natural 

Pollutant Sources Sources Sources Sources 

SOx 96% 4% 94% 6% 

NOx 86% 14% 83% 17% 

EC 27% 73% 17% 83% 

PMF 44% 56% 51% 49% 

PMC 38% 62% 47% 53% 

NH3 86% 14% 88% 12% 

POA 9% 91% 9% 91% 

VOC 10% 90% 10% 90% 

Total 

emissions: 28% 72% 27% 73% 

3.3 DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2002 AND 2018 EMISSION INVENTORIES 

In general, emission inputs were prepared by individual states and tribes for point, area and most 

dust emissions categories. With input and review by states, tribes and Federal Land Managers, 

WRAP forums and workgroups prepared consistent and comparable WRAP region emissions 

data for the mobile, fire, ammonia, area source oil and gas, eastern Pacific offshore shipping, 

some dust and biogenics emissions categories. The WRAP RMC gathered the latest, best and 

most representative emissions estimates at the time from the CENWRAP, Eastern U.S., Canada 

and Mexico regions in executing the sequence of modeling simulations discussed below. 

Boundary conditions reaching North America from the rest of the world were jointly prepared by 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-5 

 

all five Regional Planning Organizations (RPO)s from the GEOS-Chem global model. 

The original 2002 and 2018 stationary point and area source emission inventories were 

developed by Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG) in 2005. At the request of the Western 

Governors’ Association and the WRAP Stationary Sources Joint Forum, ERG calculated point 

and area sources emission projections for the Base18 inventory. A summary document was 

prepared by ERG January 25, 2006 

(http://wrapair.org/forums/ssjf/documents/eictts/docs/WRAP_2018_EI-Version_1-

Report_Jan2006.pdf). The original inventories evolved from states’ actual emissions data 

submitted to USEPA for the 2002 National Emission Inventory (NEI). The 2002 NEI consisted 

of a complete set of point, non-point and mobile data that had been submitted to EPA. The 2002 

emission inventory was chosen to provide a baseline against which reductions in visibilityimpairing pollutants could be measured over time. The 2018 emission inventory was developed 

because 2018 is the year the first regional haze SIP planning period ends. Historical 

development of the different versions of the emission inventories that were developed for the 

Base02, the Plan02, the Base18 and the PRP18 inventories is described in detail in Chapter One. 

3.4 POINT SOURCE EMISSION INVENTORY 

Point sources are identified by point locations, typically because they are regulated and their 

locations are available in regulatory reports. Point sources can be further subdivided into EGU 

sources and non-EGU sources, particularly in criteria inventories in which EGUs are a primary 

source of NOx and SOx. 

3.4.1 2000-2004 Baseline Emissions 

A summary of NOx and SO2 emissions for the baseline period (Plan02d) in Nevada is noted in 

Table 3-3 by total tons and percent of total emissions by pollutant. The Plan02d inventory shows 

that nine facilities in Nevada contain 99 percent of the total SO2 point emissions and that 19 

facilities contribute to 97 percent of the total NOx emissions in Nevada. 

The data in Table 3-3 was compiled for the baseline period from the Plan02d inventory point 

source emissions-pivot table (01/14/08), located on the WRAP website 

(http://www.wrapair.org/forums/ssjf/pivot.html). 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-6 

 

TABLE 3-3 

SUMMARY OF SO2 AND NOX EMISSIONS 

FROM NEVADA POINT SOURCES FOR THE BASELINE PERIOD

SO2 NOx

Annual 

Emissions (tpy) 

Number of 

Facilities 

Cumulative Percent of 

Total Point Source 

Emissions 

Number of 

Facilities 

Cumulative Percent of 

Total Point Source 

Emissions 

> 10,000 1 79.5% 2 51.7% 

2,000 to 10,000 1 93.1% 5 86.3% 

500 to 2000 1 97.0% 4 94.4% 

100 to 500 6 99.0% 8 97.0% 

3.4.2 2018 Projected Emissions 

SOx includes emissions from both the particulate and gaseous phase. SO2 refers only to 

emissions from the gaseous phase. The pivot tables only included emissions for SO2. The TSS 

contained data for both SO2 and SOx. SO2 emissions from point sources in Nevada are projected 

to total 27,526 tons from 13 facilities (three of which are proposed coal EGU facilities) by 2018. 

These 13 facilities represent 97.7 percent of the total SO2 emissions from all point sources 

(28,167 tons) and 97.2 percent of the total SOx emissions from all point sources (28,320 tons); 

see Table 3-4. The increase in point SO2 vs. point SOx emissions for the 2018 inventory is 153 

tons; a 0.5 percent difference. The difference in total SO2 emissions vs. total SOx emissions for 

Nevada is an increase of 1.8 percent for the plan02d inventory and 2.5 percent for the PRP18a 

inventory. This equates to an increase in 1,236 tons for the plan02d inventory and 1,105 tons for 

the PRP18a inventory. 

Figure 3-1 shows the percent contribution by source category for SOx emissions projected for 

2018, while Figure 3-2 shows the same for NOx. Point sources represent 61 percent, area 

sources 31 percent, natural sources 6 percent and other source categories 2 percent of the total 

SOx emissions. Natural sources include windblown dust, natural fire and biogenic source 

categories. Other includes on-road and off-road mobile sources, road dust, fugitive dust and 

anthropogenic fire source categories. 
FIGURE 3-1 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR SOx

SOx Emissions for PRP18a

2%

6%

61%

31%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Natural Sources

Other

NOx emissions from point sources in Nevada are projected to total 65,581 tons from 15 facilities 

(three of which are proposed coal EGU facilities and two are natural gas EGU facilities) by 

2018. These 15 facilities represent 97 percent of the total NOx emissions from all point sources 

(67,632 tons) see Table 3-4. The pie chart shows the percent contribution by source category for 

NOx emissions projected for 2018. Point sources represent 50 percent, mobile sources 27 

percent, natural sources 17 percent, and area sources 5 percent of the total SO2 emissions. The 

remaining one percent consists of emissions from oil and gas, fugitive dust and anthropogenic 

fire source categories. 

FIGURE 3-2 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR NOx

NOx Emissions for PRP18a

17%

50%

5%

27%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Mobile Sources

Natural Sources

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-7 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-8 

 

The data in Table 3-4 for SO2 and NOx was compiled from the 2018 inventory, PRP18a 

(11/14/07) point source emissions-pivot table, located on the WRAP website 

(http://www.wrapair.org/forums/ssjf/pivot.html). Nevada anticipates even further reductions in 

the future for both SOx and NOx from the projected controls to be installed at Nevada’s four 

BART facilities. Chapter Five discusses those controls and proposed emission reductions in 

detail. 

TABLE 3-4 

SUMMARY OF SO2 AND NOX EMISSIONS FROM NEVADA POINT SOURCES FOR 2018

SO2 NOx

Annual 

Emissions (tpy) 

Number of 

Facilities 

Cumulative Percent of 

Total Point Source 

Emissions 

Number of 

Facilities 

Cumulative Percent of 

Total Point Source 

Emissions 

> 10,000 0 0% 1 29.0% 

2,000 to 10,000 3 78.7% 6 76.3% 

500 to 2000 3 92.5% 8 90.8% 

100 to 500 7 97.7% 15 97.0% 

Table 3-5 shows emission projections for proposed EGU facilities as estimated for the 2018 

emission inventory (PRP18a). 

TABLE 3-5 

PROPOSED 2018 EGUs AND CURRENT PERMIT ACTIVITY

 NOx PM10 SO2

Proposed EGUs in 2018 Emission Inventory (tpy) (tpy) (tpy) 

Future Coal EGU (Newmont - Northern Nevada Energy) 499 89 670

Future Natural Gas EGU (Copper Mountain - Sempra Energy) 887 71 6

Future Natural Gas EGU (Chuck Lenzie - NV Energy) 739 59 5

Future Coal EGU (White Pine Energy Association/LS Power) 3,909 670 4,356

Future Coal EGU (A) 1,340 261 1,452

Total Emissions from proposed 2018 EGUs 7,374 1,150 6,489

VOC, POA, EC, PMF and PMC emissions are dominated by natural sources. Figures 3-3 

through 3-8 show a graphical representation for the projected PRP18a emissions. Figure 3-3 

shows that natural sources, primarily from biogenic sources, represent 90 percent of the total 

projected VOC emissions. 
FIGURE 3-3 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR VOC

VOC Emissions for PRP18a

6%

3%

90%

Area Sources

Mobile Sources

Natural Sources

Figure 3-4 shows the percent contribution by source category for POA emissions projected for 

2018. Natural fires comprise the majority of POA emissions at 91 percent. 

FIGURE 3-4 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR POA

POA Emissions for PRP18a

2%

3%

1%

3%

91%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Mobile Sources

Natural Fire

Other

Figure 3-5 shows the percent contribution by source category for EC emissions projected for 

2018. Natural fires comprise the majority of EC emissions at 83 percent. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-9 

 
FIGURE 3-5 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR EC

EC Emissions for PRP18a

1%

83%

2%

14%

Area Sources

Mobile Sources

Natural Fire

Other

Figure 3-6 shows the percent contribution by source category for PM fine emissions projected 

for 2018. Natural sources, primarily from windblown dust, 43 percent, and natural fire, six 

percent, comprise the majority of PM fine emissions. Fugitive Dust is also a significant 

contributor of PM fine emissions at 30 percent. 

FIGURE 3-6 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR PM FINE

PM fine Emssions for PRP18a

5%

9%

30%

49%

7%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Fugitive Dust

Natural Sources

Other

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-10 

 

Figure 3-7 shows the percent contribution by source category for PM coarse emissions projected 

for 2018. Natural sources, primarily from windblown dust, 50 percent, and natural fire, three 

percent, comprise the majority of PM fine emissions. Fugitive Dust is also a significant 

contributor of PM coarse emissions at 36 percent. 
FIGURE 3-7 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR PM COARSE

PM coarse Emissions for PRP18a

36%

8%

53%

2.5% 0.5%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Fugitive Dust

Natural Sources

Other

Figure 3-8 shows the percent contribution by source category for NH3 emissions projected for 

2018. Area sources, 59 percent, comprise the majority of NH3 emissions. Mobile sources also a 

significant contributor of NH3 emissions at 23.5 percent. 

FIGURE 3-8 

PERCENT CONTRIBUTION BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR AMMONIA

NH3 Emissions for PRP18a

23.5%

59%

11.5% 6%

Point Sources

Area Sources

Mobile Sources

Natural Sources

3.5 FIRE EMISSION INVENTORY 

The Fire Emissions Joint Forum of the WRAP, through a contract issued by the WGA to Air 

Sciences Inc. and E C/R incorporated, prepared Phase III baseline period (2000-2004) and Phase 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-11 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-12 

 

IV projection year (PRP18a) fire emission inventories. A document was produced May 2007 

describing these inventories. http://www.wrapair.org/forums/fejf/documents/task7/Phase3-

4EI/WRAP_Fire_Ph3-4_EI_Report_20070515.pdf. Inventory years 2000 through 2004 were 

used to estimate the emissions for the 2000 through 2004 baseline period. 

For the fire inventories in the Base02 inventory, actual 2002 data developed by the Regional 

Planning Organization’ for the United States, version 2 of the year 2000 Canadian inventory and 

actual 2002 data for Ontario, Canada were used. There were no fire emissions in the 1999 

Mexico inventories, so Mexican fires were not included in the Base02 inventories. The fire 

emission inventories developed for the WRAP modeling efforts were organized into seven 

source categories: wildfires, agricultural fires, wildland fire use, natural prescribed, 

anthropogenic prescribed, non-Federal rangeland fires and non-WRAP fires. The baseline 

period fire emission inventories were built based upon the Fire Emissions Joint Forum’s Phase II 

(historical 2002) inventories for wildfire, wildland fire use, prescribed burning, agricultural 

burning and non-federal rangeland burning. 

The difference between the Base02 and the Plan02 inventories was that actual fire data was used 

in Base02 and an average of fire data for years 2000 through 2004 was used to smooth out the 

high 2002 fire year to give a more typical fire inventory for Plan02. Thus, the Base02 was used 

for model performance evaluation and to represent actual emissions for comparison with actual 

data. Plan02 data was used for planning purposes as a typical dataset for the baseline period. 

In the Base18b inventory for WRAP, CENRAP, and VISTAS, the baseline fire emission 

inventories were held constant at Plan02 typical emission levels. The Natural Fire source 

category emission inventory projection was held constant from 2002 to 2018 (PRP18a). 

3.6 AREA SOURCE INVENTORY 

The area source emission inventory was primarily driven by population and/or economic growth 

as expressed by growth factors from USEPA’s EGAS growth factor model. EGAS Version 5.0 

generates SCC-specific growth factors for a specified geographic area using various socioeconomic data. For area sources, growth factors were obtained from one of three sources: the 

EGAS growth factor model, energy projections from Energy Information Administration or 

agricultural crop projections from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

3.7 OVERVIEW OF EMISSION INVENTORY SYSTEM - TSS 

The WRAP developed the Technical Support System (TSS) as an Internet access portal to all the 

data and analysis associated with the development of the technical foundations of regional haze 

plans across the Western US. The TSS provides state, county and grid cell level emissions 

information for typical criteria pollutants such as SO2 and NOx and other secondary particulate 

forming pollutants such as VOC and NH3. Eleven different emission inventories were developed 

comprising the following source categories: point, area, on-road mobile, off-road mobile, oil and 

gas, anthropogenic fire, natural fire, biogenic, road dust, fugitive dust and windblown dust. 

More detailed information on the emission inventory information can be found on the WRAP 

TSS website at the following link: http://vista.cira.colostate.edu/TSS/Results/Emissions.aspx .
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-13 

 

Additional emission information including regional emissions can be found on the WRAP RMC 

website at: http://pah.cert.ucr.edu/aqm/308/. 

3.8 EMISSIONS IN NEVADA

The pollutants inventoried by the WRAP include SO2, SOx, NOx, VOC, POA, EC, fine 

particulate (Soil-PM2.5), coarse particulate (PM2.5 to PM10), and NH3. An inventory was 

developed for the baseline year 2002, and projections of future emissions have been made for 

2018. Nevada will provide updates to the WRAP on this inventory on a periodic basis. For 

purposes of the Regional Haze SIP, the WRAP developed emission inventories for each state 

with input from participating stakeholders. 

The process for inventorying sources is similar for all species of interest. The number and types 

of sources is identified by various methods. For example, major stationary sources report actual 

annual emission rates to the USEPA national emissions database. Nevada collects annual 

emission data from both major and minor sources and this information is used as input into the 

emissions inventory. In other cases, such as mobile sources, a USEPA mobile source emissions 

model is used to develop emission projections. Nevada vehicle registration, vehicle mile 

traveled information and other vehicle data are used to tailor the mobile source data to best 

represent statewide and area specific emissions. Population, employment and household data are 

used in other parts of the emissions modeling to characterize emissions from area sources such as 

home heating. Thus, for each source type, emissions are calculated based on an emission rate 

and the amount of time the source is operating. Emission rates can be based on actual 

measurements from the source, or USEPA emission factors based on data from tests of similar 

types of emission sources. In essence, all sources go through a similar process. The number of 

sources is identified, emission rates are determined by measurements of those types of sources 

and the time of operation is determined. Annual emissions can be obtained by multiplying the 

emission rate times the number of hours of operation in a year. 

Table 3-6 summarizes Nevada’s statewide emissions for 2002 and 2018 projections in tons and 

are noted as either anthropogenic sources or natural sources. The percent change in tons from 

2002 to 2018 is shown on a pollutant basis. Detailed discussions of each pollutant are described 

in the following sections. Based on the information presented in Table 3-6 the projected 

(PRP18a) sum of anthropogenic emissions for SOx and NOx for all source categories is 11.7 

percent of the total 2018 projected sum of emissions statewide. 

The figures and tables in this section and the remainder of this chapter are based on the Plan02d 

and PRP18a emission inventories. These inventories are described in detail in Chapter One, 

Section 1.3.2. 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-14 

 

TABLE 3-6 

EMISSIONS SUMMARY TABLE FOR NEVADA FOR 2002 AND 2018: 

NATURAL VS. ANTHROPOGENIC SOURCES

Emissions Summary Table (tons per year) 

 2002 2018 

 

Anthropogenic Natural Total 

Tons 

Anthropogenic Natural Total 

Tons Percent

 Source Source 2002 Source Source 2018 Change

SOx 66,195 2,784 68,979 43,440 2,784 46,224 -33.0%

NOx 139,372 23,102 162,475 112,394 23,102 135,496 -16.6%

EC 1,735 4,674 6,409 964 4,674 5,638 -12.0%

PMF 9,125 11,845 20,969 12,289 11,845 24,134 15.1%

PMC 62,020 99,122 161,142 89,165 99,122 188,287 16.8%

NH3 10,408 1,684 12,092 12,819 1,684 14,503 19.9%

POA (OC) 2,233 22,501 24,734 2,321 22,501 24,822 0.4%

VOC 85,357 811,745 897,102 85,962 811,745 897,707 0.1%

Total 

emissions: 376,444 977,458 1,353,902 359,354 977,458 1,336,811 -1.3%

3.8.1 Nevada SOx Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

Sulfur dioxide gases (SO2) are formed when sulfur-containing fuels, such as diesel or coal, are 

burned, when gasoline is extracted from oil or when metals are extracted from ore. SO2 

dissolves in water vapor to form acid, and contributes to the formation of sulfate compounds 

[e.g. (NH4)2SO4] when ammonia is available. These compounds can scatter the transmission of 

light, thus contributing to visibility reduction on a regional scale at our Class 1 Area. 

Sulfur dioxide emissions produce sulfate particles in the atmosphere. Ammonium sulfate 

particles have a significantly greater impact on visibility than other pollutants like dust from 

unpaved roads due to the physical characteristics causing greater light scattering from the 

particles. Sulfur dioxide emissions come primarily from coal combustion at electrical generation 

facilities but smaller amounts come from natural gas combustion, mobile sources and even wood 

combustion. 

A 33 percent statewide reduction in SOx emissions is expected by 2018 due to planned controls 

on existing sources; even with the growth consideration in electric generating power for the state. 

Point sources account for 74 percent of SOx emissions in the Plan02d inventory and decrease to 

60 percent for 2018 projections as a result of stationary source controls. The PRP18 inventory 

included reductions to SOx presumptive limits for subject to BART large EGU’s. Power plants 

with a total generating capacity in excess of 750 MW must meet specific control levels for SO2

of either 95 percent control or 0.15 lbs/MMBtu, for each EGU greater than 200 MW. 

Reductions seen in mobile source emissions are a result from the implementation of low-sulfur 
diesel fuel standards and other control programs discussed in Chapter Six. SOx emissions from

road dust and fugitive dust and to a lesser extent from area sources are anticipated to increase by 

2018. Similar reductions in the west are expected from other states as BART and other planned 

controls take effect by 2018. 

Figure 3-9 and Table 3-7 show the overall net decrease in emissions from 2002 to 2018 for 

Sulfur Oxides by source category. In all instances, ND means that you would never see these 

pollutants for these source categories (i.e. they do not exist from these emission sources). 

FIGURE 3-9 

NEVADA SOx EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-15 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-16 

 

TABLE 3-7 

NEVADA SOx EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide SOx

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy) 

Net 

Change 

Point 50,947 28,320 -44% 

Area 13,037 14,280 10% 

On-Road Mobile 510 336 -34% 

Off-Road Mobile 1,672 473 -72% 

Oil and Gas 1 0 -94% 

Road Dust 3 5 53% 

Fugitive Dust 10 13 35% 

Windblown Dust ND ND ND 

Anthro Fire 14 12 -14% 

Natural Fire 2,784 2,784 0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND 

Total: 68,979 46,224 -33% 

Figure 3-10, “Regional Maps of SOx Emissions for 2002 and 2018,” shows extensive areas 

within Nevada with less than 10 tons per year of SOx emissions. Areas with more color are from 

urban/industrial areas of Reno and Las Vegas; a few larger areas of greater emissions are due to 

EGUs or other large point sources. 

Figure 3-11, provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional sulfur oxides (SOx) emission maps with 

the location of the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km 

and 200 km radius concentric circles. 
FIGURE 3-10

REGIONAL MAPS OF SOx EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

Figure 3-11 shows SOx emissions by county and contribution by source category. Clark and 

Humboldt counties are dominated by point source emissions for 2002. Eureka, Humboldt and 

White Pine counties’ projected emission increases for 2018 are primarily due to EGU sources. 

Area sources are the second most dominant contributor to SOx emissions for Clark and Washoe 

counties. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-17 

 
FIGURE 3-11 

SULFUR OXIDE EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a) 

3.8.2 Nevada NOX Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

NOx is generated during any combustion process where nitrogen and oxygen from the 

atmosphere combine together under high temperature to form nitric oxide and to a lesser degree 

nitrogen dioxide and in much smaller amounts other odd oxides of nitrogen. These particles 

have a slightly greater impact on visibility than do sulfate particles and are four to eight times 

more effective at scattering light than mineral dust particles. These compounds can scatter the 

transmission of light, contributing to visibility reduction on a regional scale. 

Point sources in Nevada contribute 37 percent of the total NOx emissions from the Plan02d 

inventory and are projected to contribute 50 percent of the overall inventory for PRP18a. This 

net increase of 13 percent in point emissions does not incorporate any projected decrease in 

emissions due to installation of Nevada BART controls. Overall, NOx emissions in Nevada are 

expected to decline by 17 percent, primarily due to significant reductions in emissions from

mobile sources (from 45 percent in 2002 decreasing to 27 percent in 2018) primarily due to new 

federal vehicle emission standards. This equates to a 36,423 ton decrease in NOx emissions from

mobile sources. The 29 percent increase in area sources is largely due to forecasted increases in 

activity levels based on population growth. Figure 3-12 and Table 3-8 show the breakdown of 

NOx emissions by source category for 2002 and 2018. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-18 

 
FIGURE 3-12 

NEVADA NOx EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

TABLE 3-8

NEVADA NOx EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide NOx

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy)

Net 

Change 

Point 59,873 67,632 13% 

Area 5,728 7,418 29% 

On-Road Mobile 41,089 15,049 -63% 

Off-Road Mobile 32,565 22,182 -32% 

Oil and Gas 63 63 1% 

Road Dust 1 2 53% 

Fugitive Dust 5 8 54% 

Windblown Dust ND ND ND

Anthro Fire 48 41 -16% 

Natural Fire 8,085 8,085 0% 

Biogenic 15,018 15,018 0% 

Total: 162,475 135,496 -17% 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-19 

 
Figure 3-13 provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional NOx emission maps with the location of 

the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km and 200 km

radius concentric circles. 

FIGURE 3-13 

REGIONAL MAP OF NOx EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-20 

 
In Figure 3-14, note that for both 2002 and 2018, NOx emissions in Nevada are primarily in the 

10-1,000 tons per year range, except for the urban and industrial centers in Washoe and Clark 

counties. 

Figure 3-14 shows NOx emissions by county and contribution by source category. Clark, 

Humboldt, Lyon and Storey counties are dominated by point source emissions for 2002 as well 

as 2018 due to projected EGUs. Note the increase in point source emissions for White Pine 

County for 2018 due to proposed power plant(s). On-road mobile sources are the second most 

dominant contributor to NOx emissions for Clark and Washoe counties for 2002, but with 

significant reductions by 2018, primarily due to the new federal vehicle emission standards. 

FIGURE 3-14 

NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.3 Nevada VOC Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of

products numbering in the thousands. Examples include paints and lacquers, paint strippers, 

cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as 

copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, craft materials including glues 

and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions 

(http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/voc.html). Automobiles, industrial and commercial facilities, 

and refueling of automobiles all contribute to VOC loading in the atmosphere. Substantial 

natural emissions of VOCs come from vegetation; these emissions are categorized as biogenics. 

VOCs can directly impact visibility as emissions condense in the atmosphere to form an aerosol. 

Of more significance is the role VOCs play in the photochemical production of ozone in the 

troposphere. VOCs react with nitrogen oxides to produce nitrated organic particles that impact 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-21 

 
visibility in the same series of chemical events that lead to ozone. Thus, strategies to reduce 

ozone in the atmosphere often lead to visibility improvements. VOCs in Nevada are expected to 

crease slightly (0.07 percent) by 2018.

2 to

n

,

ount for only 0.25 percent of the 2002 and 0.4 percent of the 2018 VOC 

mission inventory. 

FIGURE 3-15 

NEVADA VOC EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

in

Figure 3-15 and Table 3-9 show the overall net zero percent change in emissions from 200

2018 for VOCs. Biogenic sources, primarily from terpenes, dominate VOC emissions at 

approximately 90 percent for both 2002 and 2018. Area source emissions show a net increase i

emissions, but area sources account for only 3.2 percent and 5.9 percent of the 2002 and 2018 

VOC emission inventory respectively. Point VOC emissions show a net change of 75 percent

but point sources acc

e

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-22 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-23 

 

TABLE 3-9 

NEVADA VOC EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide VOC 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy) 

Net 

Change 

Point 2,215 3,866 75% 

Area 28,592 53,014 85% 

On-Road Mobile 36,257 17,085 -53% 

Off-Road Mobile 18,094 11,784 -35% 

Oil and Gas 129 163 26% 

Road Dust ND ND ND 

Fugitive Dust ND ND ND 

Windblown Dust ND ND ND 

Anthro Fire 70 50 -28% 

Natural Fire 17,606 17,606 0% 

Biogenic 794,139 794,139 0% 

Total: 897,102 897,707 0% 

There were no regional emission maps for VOCs created in the TSS. 

Figure 3-16 shows VOC emissions by county. Biogenic sources dominate the VOC emissions 

for all counties in Nevada. Clark and Washoe counties show decreases to mobile source 

emissions and increases in area source emissions. Biogenic and natural fire emissions were held 

constant for the 2018 projections. 
FIGURE 3-16 

VOLATILE ORGANIC CARBON EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.4 Nevada POA Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

Primary organic aerosol (POA) includes organic molecules or compounds that are directly 

emitted from the combustion of organic material. These organic compounds include organic 

carbon (OC), hydrogen, oxygen as well as other organic atoms. Wide varieties of sources 

contribute to this classification, and include: combustion byproducts from wood and agricultural 

burning, diesel emissions, and the cooking of meat. Natural fire emissions however dominate 

this classification for Nevada, contributing to more than 90 percent of the total statewide 

emissions. Note that natural fire emissions were held constant for 2018 projections. Road dust 

and fugitive dust also show increases in POA emissions, but the projected emissions for these 

two source categories is only 2 percent of the total. Area sources, on-road mobile, road dust and 

fugitive dust increases are minimal and are likely due to growth projections. POAs are projected 

to have a small increase of 88 pounds of emissions by 2018. 

Figure 3-17 and Table 3-10 show an overall negligible increase in total POA emissions from

2002 to 2018. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-24 

 
FIGURE 3-17 

NEVADA POA EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

TABLE 3-10

NEVADA POA EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide POA 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy)

Net 

Change 

Point 256 168 -34.2% 

Area 687 776 13.0% 

On-Road Mobile 314 422 34.4% 

Off-Road Mobile 572 393 -31.3% 

Oil and Gas 0 0 0.0% 

Road Dust 91 139 53.2% 

Fugitive Dust 241 370 53.6% 

Windblown Dust ND ND ND

Anthro Fire 73 52 -28.2% 

Natural Fire 22,501 22,501 0.0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND

Total: 24,734 24,822 0.4% 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-25 

 
Figure 3-18, provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional POA emission maps with the location of 

the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km and 200 km

radius concentric circles. 

FIGURE 3-18 

REGIONAL MAPS OF POA EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-26 

 

In Figure 3-18, note that there are significant decreases in POA emissions for Nevada. Large 
portions of Nevada show less than one ton per year of POA emissions for 2002, and even fewer 

cell with emissions less than 10 tons per year for 2018. Even though the POA net change is zero 

for Nevada, controls implemented in other states are reflected in Nevada’s projections.

Figure 3-19 shows that Lincoln, Churchill, Clark, and Douglas counties were dominated by 

natural fire events in 2002, and since those projections were held constant, those same counties 

show identical emissions in 2018. 

FIGURE 3-19 

PRIMARY ORGANIC AEROSOL EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.5 Nevada EC Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

Elemental carbon (EC) particulates are directly emitted as a primary aerosol. For example, 

sources of elemental carbon include fossil fuel combustion (vehicles, boilers and other industrial 

processes), wildfires and all other types of burning. EC particulates absorb the transmission of 

light that contributes to visibility reduction on a regional scale at Class I areas. Elemental carbon 

is carbon black, or soot, a byproduct of incomplete combustion. It is the partner to primary 

organic aerosols and represents the more complete combustion of fuel, producing carbon 

particulate matter as the end product. By comparison, a carbon particle has a sixteen times 

greater impact on visibility than a coarse particle of granite has. 

Figure 3-20 and Table 3-11 show statewide EC emission reductions of 12 percent. There are 

significant reductions in the mobile source categories resulting from new federal emission 

standards for mobile sources, especially for diesel engines. Natural fire emissions dominate this 

classification for Nevada, contributing to 83 percent of the total statewide emissions. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-27 

 
FIGURE 3-20 

NEVADA EC EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

TABLE 3-11

NEVADA EC EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide EC 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy)

Net 

Change 

Point 13 13 -4% 

Area 96 115 20% 

On-Road Mobile 235 121 -48% 

Off-Road Mobile 1,354 668 -51% 

Oil and Gas 0 0 0% 

Road Dust 7 11 53% 

Fugitive Dust 17 26 54% 

Windblown Dust ND ND ND

Anthro Fire 13 10 -23% 

Natural Fire 4,674 4,674 0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND

Total: 6,409 5,638 -12% 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-28 

 
Figure 3-21 provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional elemental carbon emission maps with the 

location of the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km

and 200 km radius concentric circles. Note that EC is the same as PEC (primary elemental 

carbon). 

FIGURE 3-21 

REGIONAL MAPS OF EC EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-29 

 
In Figure 3-21, note the decrease in emissions for Nevada. Overall the EC emissions for Nevada 

are among the lowest in the U.S. 2018 projections show most of the state with EC emissions at 

less than 10 tons per year. Figure 3-22 shows that natural fire is the dominant source category 

for EC primarily for Lincoln, Churchill, Clark and Douglas counties. Significant off-road mobile 

source reductions for 2018 are seen for Clark and Washoe counties. 

FIGURE 3-22 

ELEMENTAL CARBON EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.6 Nevada PM Fine Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018 

PM fine emissions are comprised of fine particulates under 2.5 microns that are generated mostly 

from area sources, road dust and fugitive dust. PM fine emissions are largely related to 

agricultural and mining activities, windblown dust from construction areas, and emissions from

unpaved and paved roads. A particle of fine dust has a relative impact on visibility one-tenth as 

great as a particle of elemental carbon. For any given visibility event where poor visual air 

quality is present in a scene, the impact of dust can vary widely. Overall, on the 20 percent worst 

days, PM fine has about the same impact as nitrate particles. Agricultural activities, dust from

unpaved roads and construction are prevalent in this source category and changes in emissions 

are tied to population and vehicle miles traveled. Since PM fine emissions are not directly from

the tailpipe of the vehicle, the mobile source categories do not show any fine particulates 

emissions; all vehicle-related emissions from paved and unpaved roads show up in the fugitive 

dust category. Fine particulate matter can remain suspended in the atmosphere for long periods 

of time and travel long distances. Fine particulates can efficiently scatter the transmission of 

light that contributes to visibility reduction on a regional scale at Class I areas. For 2018 

projected emissions windblown dust was held constant. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-30 

 

In Figure 3-23 and Table 3-12, the projected statewide PM fine emission net increase is 15 
percent. Most of the anticipated increase is associated with fugitive dust from 24 percent in the 

Plan02d inventory to 30 percent in the PRP18a inventory. 

FIGURE 3-23 

NEVADA SOIL (PM FINE) EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-31 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-32 

 

TABLE 3-12 

NEVADA PM FINE EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide PM fine 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy) 

Net 

Change 

Point 2,158 2,211 2% 

Area 830 1,150 39% 

On-Road Mobile 0 0 0% 

Off-Road Mobile 0 0 0% 

Oil and Gas 0 0 0% 

Road Dust 1,091 1,672 53% 

Fugitive Dust 5,038 7,251 44% 

Windblown Dust 10,438 10,438 0% 

Anthro Fire 9 5 -48% 

Natural Fire 1,406 1,406 0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND 

Total: 20,969 24,134 15% 

Figure 3-24, provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional PM fine emission maps with the location 

of the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km and 200 km 

radius concentric circles. 
FIGURE 3-24 

REGIONAL MAPS OF PM FINE EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

Figure 3-25 shows that Clark County has the greatest amount of PM fine emissions on a 

statewide basis, dominated by fugitive dust and point sources. Most of the counties in Nevada 

have significant windblown dust emissions. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-33 

 
FIGURE 3-25 

PM FINE EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.7 Nevada PM Coarse Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

PM coarse emissions are closely related to the same sources as PM fine emissions but other 

activities like rock crushing and processing, material transfer, open pit mining and unpaved road 

emissions can be prominent sources. PM coarse emissions travel shorter distances in the 

atmosphere than other smaller particles but can remain in the atmosphere sufficiently long 

enough to play a role in regional haze. PM coarse emissions have the smallest direct impact on 

regional haze on a particle-by-particle basis where one particle of coarse mass has a relative 

visibility weight of 0.6 compared to a carbon particle having a weight of 10. Nevertheless, they 

are commonly present at all monitoring sites and are a greater contributor to regional haze than 

the PM fine component. 

Figure 3-26 and Table 3-13 show the overall net increase in PM coarse emissions of 17 percent. 

A substantial increase in PM coarse emissions is seen in the road dust (53 percent) and fugitive 

dust (45 percent) categories. This is due to the fact that construction activities and emissions 

from paved and unpaved roads are linked to population, vehicle miles traveled and employment 

data. Growth in these factors results in projected emission increases from 2002 to 2018. 

Although PM coarse emissions from windblown dust decrease from 58 percent to 50 percent by 

2018, windblown dust is still the primary source category for these emissions. Fugitive dust is 

also projected to be a major contributor to PM coarse emissions in 2018 at 36 percent. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-34 

 
FIGURE 3-26 

NEVADA COARSE MASS (PM COARSE) EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

TABLE 3-13

NEVADA PM COARSE EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide PM coarse 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy)

Net 

Change 

Point 4,093 4,717 15% 

Area 897 1,012 13% 

On-Road Mobile 245 360 47% 

Off-Road Mobile 0 0 0% 

Oil and Gas 0 0 0% 

Road Dust 9,413 14,439 53% 

Fugitive Dust 47,366 68,634 45% 

Windblown Dust 93,946 93,946 0% 

Anthro Fire 7 3 -48% 

Natural Fire 5,176 5,176 0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND

Total: 161,142 188,287 17% 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-35 

 
Figure 3-27, provides the Plan02d and PRP18a regional PM coarse emission maps with the 

location of the JARB1 IMPROVE monitor identified with a green star surrounded by 100 km

and 200 km radius concentric circles. 

FIGURE 3-27 

REGIONAL MAPS OF PM COARSE EMISSIONS FOR 2002 AND 2018

2002 

2018 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-36 

 

Figure 3-28 shows that Clark County has the highest PM coarse emissions in Nevada, due to 
fugitive dust sources. Windblown dust is a significant source of PM coarse emissions for most 

counties. 

FIGURE 3-28 

PM COARSE EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.8.8 Nevada NH3 Emission Inventory for 2002 and 2018

NH3 emissions come from a variety of sources including wastewater treatment facilities, 

livestock operations, fertilizer applications and mobile sources. NH3 is directly linked to the 

production of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate particles in the atmosphere when SO2

and NOx eventually convert over to these forms of particles. Increases in NH3 emissions from

the base case year to 2018 are linked to population statistics and increased vehicular traffic.

An EPA report “Estimating Ammonia Emissions from Anthropogenic Non-Agricultural Sources 

– Draft Final Report April 2004” 

(http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/eiip/techreport/volume03/eiip_areasourcesnh3.pdf) documents that 

NH3 measurements vary substantially by vehicle class in on-road mobile sources. Fleet-average 

NH3 emissions are thought to be increasing as advanced catalyst-equipped vehicles make up a 

larger fraction of the fleet. Advanced catalysts have higher NH3 emission rates stemming from

an over-reduction of NOx to NH3. 

Non-road mobile sources include exhaust emissions from a wide range of non-road engines. 

These include construction equipment, agricultural equipment, lawn and garden equipment, 

commercial and recreational marine vessels and locomotives. Non-road gasoline engines 

typically are not equipped with catalysts. 

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-37 

 
Figure 3-29 and Table 3-14, show an overall net increase of NH3 emissions of 20 percent. Point 

sources show a significant net increase of 155 percent, although the percent of the projected total 

point NH3 emissions for PRP18a is not significant (six percent). On-road mobile NH3 emissions 

are due to projected increases in vehicular traffic

FIGURE 3-29 

NEVADA NH

.

3 EMISSION INVENTORY – 2002 AND 2018

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-38 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-39 

 

TABLE 3-14 

NEVADA NH3 EMISSIONS BY SOURCE CATEGORY FOR 2002 AND 2018

Nevada Planning and Baseline Emission Inventories 

Statewide NH3 

Source Category Plan 02d PRP 18a 

(tpy) (tpy) 

Net 

Change 

Point 339 864 155% 

Area 8,009 8,535 7% 

On-Road Mobile 2,030 3,385 67% 

Off-Road Mobile 22 30 37% 

Oil and Gas 0 0 0% 

Road Dust ND ND 0% 

Fugitive Dust ND ND 0% 

Windblown Dust ND ND 0% 

Anthro Fire 8 5 -37% 

Natural Fire 1,684 1,684 0% 

Biogenic ND ND ND 

Total: 12,092 14,503 20% 

There are no regional emission maps for ammonia. 

Figure 3-30 shows consistently that Clark County has the greatest emissions on a county by 

county breakdown. Clark County’s emissions are dominated by on-road and area sources. Most 

of the other Nevada counties are dominated by area sources. 
FIGURE 3-30 

AMMONIA EMISSIONS BY COUNTY (Plan02d) AND (PRP18a)

3.9 SUMMARY OF 2018 EMISSION PROJECTIONS 

Analysis of the IMPROVE monitoring network data demonstrates the following pollutants, 

ranked according to percent contribution to annual extinction (see Table 2-2 in Chapter Two), 

contribute to reconstructed light extinction at JARB1 for the 20 percent worst days of the 

baseline period. 

• OMC • EC 

• CM • NO3

• SO4 • Sea Salt 

• SOIL 

The emissions analysis is part of the technical basis for identifying Nevada’s reasonable progress 

goal. At the beginning of this section, Table 3-6 summarizes the contribution from natural vs. 

anthropogenic sources for each pollutant in 2002 and 2018. It shows that approximately three 

quarters (73 percent) of emissions in 2018 are expected to be from natural sources and, therefore, 

uncontrollable. Table 3-15 shows percent contribution from anthropogenic sources and 

dominant source categories for each pollutant in 2018. The “Total Emissions from All Source 

Categories” column includes natural emissions and puts the contribution from each pollutant into 

perspective with respect to other visibility impairing pollutants in Nevada.

NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-40 

 
NEVADA REGIONAL HAZE STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, October 2009 3-41 

 

TABLE 3-15

PREDOMINANT SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS: 2018

Pollutant 

Total Emissions 

from All Source 

Categories in tpy 

(percent of total) 

Percent from 

Anthropogenic 

Sources 

Predominant Source and 

Percent from 

Predominant Source Controllable 

VOC 897,707 (67) 10 Biogenic 88 No 

Windblown 

PM Dust 50 No 

coarse 188,287 (14) 47 Fugitive 

Dust 36 Yes 

Point 50 Yes 

Off-Road 

Mobile 16 Yes 

On-Road 

Mobile 11 Yes 

NOx 135,496 (10) 83 

Biogenic 11 No 

Point 61 Yes SOx 46,224 (3.5) 94 

Area 31 Yes 

POA 24,822 (2) 9 Natural Fire 91 No 

Windblown 

Dust 43 No PM fine 24,134 (2) 51 Fugitive 

Dust 30 Yes 

Area 59 Yes 

NH3 14,503 (1) 88 On-Road 

Mobile 23 Yes 

EC 5,638 (0.5) 17 Natural Fire 83 No 

In Nevada, anthropogenic sources are important contributors of SOx, NOx, and NH3 in 2018. 

SOx emissions are predominantly from point sources, 61 percent; area sources contribute 31 

percent. NOx emissions are also predominantly from point sources, approximately 50 percent, 

while mobile sources account for another 27 percent. VOC, POA, EC, PM fine and PM coarse 

emissions are dominated by natural source categories, and primarily are not controllable for 

those sources. NH3 emissions are predominantly from area sources, 59 percent, with another 23 

percent from on-road mobile. The total projected emissions for all pollutants in 2018 are 

1,336,811 tons and of that total, only 27 percent are controllable.