The Clean Air Act is the law that defines EPA’s responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation’s air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer . The last major change in the law, the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, was enacted by Congress in 1990.
What does the Clean Air Act require of the EPA?
The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires EPA to regulate emissions of toxic air pollutants from a published list of industrial sources referred to as “source categories.” Toxic air pollutants include mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), benzene and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What does the the Clean Air Act do?
The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources .
What is included in the Clean Air Act?
The act establishes federal standards for mobile sources of air pollution and their fuels and for sources of 187 hazardous air pollutants , and it establishes a cap-and-trade program for the emissions that cause acid rain. It establishes a comprehensive permit system for all major sources of air pollution.
What is the Clean Air Act 2020?
In 2020, the Clean Air Act Amendments will prevent over 230,000 early deaths . Most of the economic benefits (about 85 percent) are attributable to reductions in premature mortality associated with reductions in ambient particulate matter.
Is the Clean Air Act effective?
After the Clean Air Act’s first 20 years, in 1990 , it prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths, and almost 700,000 cases of chronic bronchitis were avoided. ... Through continued innovation and successful implementation, the Clean Air Act will deliver even more benefits over the next 40 years.
Who does the Clean Air Act apply to?
Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to regulate emission of pollutants that “endanger public health and welfare.” State and local governments also monitor and enforce Clean Air Act regulations, with oversight by the EPA.
Is the Clean Air Act still in force?
The Clean Air Act “has survived, but it has been damaged because of the constant attacks ,” Ali said. Particularly devastating has been the administration’s effort to undermine the law’s most important pillar, its grounding in science.
What is the Clean Water Act when and why was it started?
Clean Water Act (CWA), also known as Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, U.S. legislation enacted in 1972 to restore and maintain clean and healthy waters. The CWA was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nation’s waters .
What caused the Clean Air Act proposal?
Congress designed the Clean Air Act to protect public health and welfare from different types of air pollution caused by a diverse array of pollution sources .
What are the 3 major provisions of the Clean Air Act?
Changes to the act in 1990 included provisions to (1) classify most nonattainment areas according to the extent to which they exceed the standard, tailoring deadlines, planning, and controls to each area’s status; (2) tighten auto and other mobile source emission standards; (3) require reformulated and alternative ...
How is the Clean Air Act implemented?
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 established an operating permit program for states to implement for major sources of air pollution , such as industrial facilities. ... Facilities with permits include power plants, manufacturing facilities, petroleum refineries, and other facilities.
How many lives did the Clean Air Act save?
The Clean Air Act saved 160,000 lives last year , and the number of lives saved annually is expected to top 230,000 by 2020, according to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency in March.
How much does the Clean Air Act cost?
The analysis finds that the Clean Air Act regulations will reduce in air pollution and create sizeable health benefits. The annual costs of the regulations analyzed in the study increase from $20 billion in the year 2000 to $65 billion by 2020 .
Are there any consequences of the Clean Air Act?
Today, as in the past, the Clean Air Act continues to cut pollution and protect the health of American families and workers . Fewer premature deaths and illnesses means Americans experience longer lives, better quality of life, lower medical expenses, fewer school absences, and better worker productivity.
What is an example of the Clean Air Act?
An example of the Clean Air Act that also involves the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency . ... And even if they did, the EPA argued, they would need more time to research the impact, if any, that such emissions could have on climate change.
