Sunnyside Community Redevelopment Organization 

CLEAN AIR ACT
 

The Clean Air Act is a federal law enacted in the United States in 1970 and subsequently amended several times. It is primarily designed to regulate air pollution and improve air quality nationwide. The law authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and enforce regulations aimed at reducing and controlling emissions of air pollutants.

 

The goals of the Clean Air Act include:

1. Setting standards for permissible levels of pollutants in the air to protect public health and the environment.

2. Regulating emission sources, such as industrial facilities, power plants, vehicles, and other stationary and mobile sources of pollution.

3. Promoting the use of clean and efficient technologies to reduce pollution.

4. Addressing interstate and international pollution transport through cooperation with states, territories, and other countries.

5. Encouraging research and development of innovative approaches to air pollution control.

6. Providing regulatory tools for implementing and enforcing the law, such as permitting, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms.

7. Ensuring public participation and access to information regarding air quality and pollution control efforts.

 

Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA sets national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for six criteria pollutants, which include particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and lead. The act also establishes requirements for state implementation plans (SIPs) and promotes the adoption of various control measures to achieve and maintain the NAAQS.

 

Additionally, the Clean Air Act includes provisions for emissions trading programs, allowing facilities to buy and sell emission allowances, which encourages cost-effective pollution reduction strategies. The Act also authorizes citizen suits, enabling individuals or organizations to take legal action against violators of air quality standards.

 

Overall, the Clean Air Act is a key pillar of environmental regulation in the United States, aimed at protecting public health, reducing pollution, and improving the quality of the nation's air.