Brock LeBaron, an environmental scientist in the Utah Division of Air Quality for more than two decades, has accepted a new position focusing on rural air issues.

Amanda Smith, executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality, created the post of deputy director of air in May to focus on the pollution problems of Uintah County and other rural areas.

"Brock brings a wealth of experience that will allow him to effectively coordinate air quality issues that impact the rural areas of the state," said Smith. "I have great confidence in his ability to bring stakeholders together to resolve the issues."

DAQ Director Bryce Bird noted that LeBaron has worked on regional haze and has led the state's effort to address the Uinta Basin's unusual wintertime ozone pollution problem.

"In his new position," said Bird, "Brock will bring additional focus to new concerns with rural air quality due to increasing federal requirements, new energy development and concerns with transport of emissions from other states in the Western region."

LeBaron, who earned a graduate degree in meteorology from Utah State University, joined DAQ as an air-quality modeler in 1990. He has been manager of the Technical Analysis Section for the past 15 years. Recently, he has focused on the challenge of meeting federal standards for wintertime particulate pollution.

He lives with his wife, Michelle, and a daughter, in Salt Lake City.

"Protecting air quality in rural areas is important for our future in energy development as the population grows," said LeBaron.