PHOENIX -- An environmental watchdog group says the people in charge of cleaning our air are wasting their resources.

Stephen Brittle, from the group Don't Waste Arizona, referred to a conference held last month at The Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center, hosted by the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.

The MCAQD spent approximately $140,000, and then raised about $50,000 to help cover costs.

In the end, the department spent about $90,000 of their budget on the conference, which was designed for public and private leaders to discuss ways to decrease pollution.

"You could use the same amount of resources to go out and work with these companies to find ways to pollute less. They could also hire more people to enforce the pollution laws," said Brittle.

MCAQD director Lawrence Odle pointed out that his department has a $20 million budget and that $7.4 billion in federal transportation funds partially depends on his department's success in decreasing pollution.

"The bottom line is, this was an absolutely effective investment of the funds we have," said Odle.