Clean Air ActClean Air Act

By: Emily GarciaBy: Emily Garcia

BackgroundBackground

• From 1948 to 1952, the country became aware of an overwhelming amount of smog and air pollution throughout the nation and the world.– Danora, PA experienced 20 deaths and 6,000

illnesses (out of a 12,000 person population) in 1948 due to a thick cloud.

• Began in 1963, with funding established for the study and cleanup of air pollution– Had little federal response until Congress

passed the stronger law in 1970

• From 1948 to 1952, the country became aware of an overwhelming amount of smog and air pollution throughout the nation and the world.– Danora, PA experienced 20 deaths and 6,000

illnesses (out of a 12,000 person population) in 1948 due to a thick cloud.

• Began in 1963, with funding established for the study and cleanup of air pollution– Had little federal response until Congress

passed the stronger law in 1970

Background cont…Background cont…

• 1970 (Nixon)- Congress not only passed the stronger law, but created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)– Congress gave EPA the primary role in

carrying out the law.

• 1990 (Bush)- Congress revised and expanded the law, giving the EPA even more authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air pollutant emissions.

• 1970 (Nixon)- Congress not only passed the stronger law, but created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)– Congress gave EPA the primary role in

carrying out the law.

• 1990 (Bush)- Congress revised and expanded the law, giving the EPA even more authority to implement and enforce regulations reducing air pollutant emissions.

Role of the EPARole of the EPA

• EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants, including setting limits on how much can be in the air anywhere in the United States

• This helps to ensure basic health and environmental protection from air pollution for all Americans. The act also gives EPA the authority to limit emissions of air pollutants coming from sources like chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills.

• EPA sets limits on certain air pollutants, including setting limits on how much can be in the air anywhere in the United States

• This helps to ensure basic health and environmental protection from air pollution for all Americans. The act also gives EPA the authority to limit emissions of air pollutants coming from sources like chemical plants, utilities, and steel mills.

The States’ RoleThe States’ Role

• Individual states or tribes may have stronger air pollution laws, but they may not have weaker pollution limits than those set by EPA.– EPA must approve plans/laws set by states.

• EPA assists state, tribal, and local agencies by providing research, expert studies, engineering designs, and funding to support clean air progress. – Since 1970, Congress and the EPA have

provided several billion dollars to other areas to accomplish this.

• Individual states or tribes may have stronger air pollution laws, but they may not have weaker pollution limits than those set by EPA.– EPA must approve plans/laws set by states.

• EPA assists state, tribal, and local agencies by providing research, expert studies, engineering designs, and funding to support clean air progress. – Since 1970, Congress and the EPA have

provided several billion dollars to other areas to accomplish this.

States’ Role Cont…States’ Role Cont…

• Able to develop solutions for pollution problems that require special understanding of local industries, geography, housing, and travel patterns, as well as other factors.

• Monitor air quality, inspect facilities under their jurisdictions and enforce Clean Air Act regulations.

• Able to develop solutions for pollution problems that require special understanding of local industries, geography, housing, and travel patterns, as well as other factors.

• Monitor air quality, inspect facilities under their jurisdictions and enforce Clean Air Act regulations.

EnforcementEnforcement

• EPA's civil, cleanup, and criminal enforcement programs work with the Department of Justice, state, and Tribal governments to take legal actions in both federal and state courts that bring polluters into compliance with federal environmental laws.

• The Agency emphasizes those actions that reduce the most significant risks to human health or the environment, and consults extensively with states and other stakeholders in determining risk-based priorities.

• EPA's civil, cleanup, and criminal enforcement programs work with the Department of Justice, state, and Tribal governments to take legal actions in both federal and state courts that bring polluters into compliance with federal environmental laws.

• The Agency emphasizes those actions that reduce the most significant risks to human health or the environment, and consults extensively with states and other stakeholders in determining risk-based priorities.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

• Since 1970..– The 6 common air pollutants have

decreased by over 50%– Air toxins from large industrial sources

have reduced by nearly 70%– Production of most ozone- depleting

chemicals has ceased.– new cars are more than 90 percent

cleaner and will be even cleaner in the future

• Since 1970..– The 6 common air pollutants have

decreased by over 50%– Air toxins from large industrial sources

have reduced by nearly 70%– Production of most ozone- depleting

chemicals has ceased.– new cars are more than 90 percent

cleaner and will be even cleaner in the future

Works CitedWorks Cited

• http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/• http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/